5 Good Reasons to Extend Your Summer Stay in the Mountains

March 7, 2024

Take frequent trips… or go away for a long time? These two schools of thought have been locked in a debate with conflicting arguments ever since paid vacation became a reality. As far as we’re concerned, we see nothing but advantages to taking two or three weeks off instead of just one: a better chance to unplug, a more varied schedule of activities, discounted rates on your lodging… and even time to do absolutely nothing! So here are 5 good reasons why you, too, should extend your stay in the mountains this summer.

2. Overcome your “FOMO” with two- or three-week trips

Are you one of those people who get a little too optimistic when planning a vacation, only to end up with a list of activities as long as your arm that you have to cram into a week that’s just too short?

You’re probably suffering from FOMO—the infamous “Fear of Missing Out.” What a shame, though, to have to give up your enthusiasm just because the days are too short…

So why not extend your stay? You won’t have to choose between a hike with lake views or one with glacier views; between a fishing trip and a via ferrata; between an afternoon on the golf course or at the spa; between a trip to Italy or a rafting trip. You’ll be able to do it all (and there’s plenty to do in La Plagne: La Rosière and Tignes).

You'll even have time to do nothing. That says it all!

3. No more having to choose between quantity and quality when your vacation runs long

Short trips often force you to choose between doing a few things well or doing a lot of things poorly. By extending your stay in the mountains (for example, a two-week vacation instead of a one-week one), you won't have to make that tough choice anymore!

Your hikes won’t be rushed anymore, just because you’ve booked another activity for the afternoon, a massage at the end of the day, and then a raclette dinner at that restaurant that only had seating available for the first seating. Hurry, hurry—no time to waste!

Going away for a long time (two or three weeks) lets you take your time, let yourself be surprised, and enjoy the unexpected. It lets you take in those little details that slip by when you’re in a hurry. It lets you do things right. It lets you do lots of things right.

4. Discover the luxury of not (overly) checking your watch

Short trips require meticulous planning. You absolutely must book all your activities in advance— including a table at your favorite restaurant—or else the moment you’ve been waiting for will slip right through your fingers. All of this means checking your watch all day long (and even setting your alarm in the morning… blasphemy on vacation!).

Taking two or three weeks off gives you more peace of mind and flexibility. You’ll have time to meet with activity providers and make reservations for later. To wander around, compare restaurant menus, and treat yourself to that mouthwatering dish that was just served right in front of you on the patio. To postpone that long hike until tomorrow or the day after, when the chance of late-afternoon thunderstorms will have dropped to zero.

In other words: take your time, and use your (smart) watch only to indulge your love of statistics (what’s the total elevation gain? How far have you gone?).

5. Save money by extending your stays in the mountains

Two of the biggest expenses when going on vacation are transportation and lodging. Taking more short trips means more travel (and therefore more train tickets, gas, etc.). But it also means missing out on the volume discounts offered by some lodging providers.

At Altitude Résidences, for example, we offer a 10% discount on two-week summer stays and a 20% discount on three-week stays. This applies to all our resorts: Chalet Hôtel Turquoise in Belle Plagne, Lodge des Glaciers at La Rosière, Chalet Hôtel Quartz at Tignes (opening: December 2024).

Staying longer means having access to larger, more comfortable, and better-equipped accommodations that offer more amenities— all for the same price as several small apartments booked for just a few days.

Book your (long) vacation now!