How to Organize a Family Reunion in the Mountains in Summer?

Feb. 19, 2024

Choosing the best date, booking accommodations for 10, 12, or even 18 people, planning activities, organizing meals… Check out all our tips for hosting a successful family reunion in the mountains this summer!

Determine the best date to hold your family reunion in the mountains

When people talk about a “family reunion,” they’re often referring to an event with school-age children. Is that the case for you? If so, why not suggest two or three dates during school break to the participants?

It’s worth noting that early July and late August are generally relatively quiet periods, while the four to five weeks spanning mid-July to mid-August are busier. What does this mean? It’s often easier to book a group activity in early July and late August than on July 14.

Are you planning a family reunion with only adults, or with adults accompanied by young children who are not yet in school? In that case, you can expand your date options to include June or September.

Admittedly, the range of activities available is limited during the off-season. But that doesn’t have to be a problem if you view this family gathering as a contemplative retreat—an opportunity to hike together or in small groups during the day, then get together at dinnertime for memorable evenings of board games.

Bonus: Vacation rentals are often very affordable in June and September.

No matter what date you choose, please know thatAltitude Résidences welcomes you year-round to its spacious apartments and chalets in La Plagne, La Rosière, and Tignes. Whether there are 8, 10, or 18 of you attending your annual family reunion, we have plenty of comfortable accommodations for you at Chalet Hôtel Turquoise or at the Lodge des Glaciers.

Take a quick look at the list of vacation rentals available for your desired dates (or contact us for a personalized recommendation).

Choose a destination that's accessible to everyone for your family reunion in the mountains

Transportation is a key consideration when organizing a large family reunion, especially when brothers, sisters, and cousins are scattered across the four (or six?) corners of France.

There are several factors that can help you choose a destination that will make the vacation easier for everyone attending the family reunion:

A central location to minimize everyone’s travel time (note: keep in mind that “central” doesn’t necessarily mean “accessible”! Be sure to check the condition of the roads and the nearby train stations…)

An area where you can pick up one or more passengers along the way to reduce the carbon footprint of your vacation

Even better for those who prefer eco-friendly modes of transportation: choose a destination you can reach by train. This is the case for La Plagne, La Rosière and Tignes, which you can reach by bus from the Aime–La Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice train stations.

Keep in mind that “further away on the map” doesn’t necessarily mean “less accessible.” Very often, it’s better to choose a destination with good transportation links than one that seems central at first glance (but that you’ll only reach after spending hours on small country roads…).

Book accommodations that are right for your large family

There are several options available to you, depending on the number of people attending your family reunion and your vision for a group vacation.

Are you looking for mountain accommodations for 10, 12, or even 18 people? Do the terms “close-knit” or even “inseparable” seem to you to accurately describe the relationship among the various family members who will be getting together for a week-long vacation?

Choose a large apartment or a spacious chalet to bring all the participants in your family reunion together under one roof. All of our accommodations guarantee a comfortable place to sleep for everyone (no, no—no one sleeps in the living room!).

Or would you rather strike a balance between spending time together and quiet, intimate moments?

Book several smaller apartments for 4 or 5 people in the same building. This arrangement lets you enjoy activities together during the day, then head “back to your own place” when evening comes. It’s especially appealing to participants with young children who need quiet time for naps, as well as to people who love their families… but not 24/7! ;)

Make sure that every participant in the family reunion has the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities

A family reunion can bring together family members with very different backgrounds—in terms of age, physical fitness, interests, and more. Make sure everyone has a great time during their week-long vacation in the mountains!

Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself before booking:

Will Judith (your energetic 75-year-old grandma) and Victor (the trail runner of the group) find hikes and trails that suit their (mountain-climbing) tastes?
Is there a pool where the kids can have fun, even if the weather is unpredictable? Are there trampolines? Inflatable play structures? Archery? Ponies?
Will the foodies in the group be able to treat themselves at the bar or at a table in cozy or lively bars and restaurants?
What activities can you do as a group? Hiking, of course, but what else? A pedal boat ride, a soccer tournament, mini-golf…

La Plagne, La Rosière, and Tignes all offer a wide range of sports and recreational activities for all ages during the summer. Feel free to ask us for advice if you’re deciding between these destinations for your summer family reunion!

Our partner, Évolution 2—a specialist in group activities—can also help you plan fun and unique activities (which may not necessarily be listed in the resort’s catalog of available activities…).

Make mealtime easier

Meal preparation is a highly social and revealing experience (“Oh? Is that how you do it?”). Still, cooking for 10, 12, or even 18 people can be daunting… even for passionate chefs!

Here are a few tips to make the task a little less daunting:

For lunch, go for a picnic and let everyone make their own sandwich

For dinner, set up a rotation system by team: depending on the number of people attending your family reunion, draw two or three names at random each day of the week, and let the lucky ones handle the grocery shopping and meal preparation (post a list on the fridge where everyone can note any allergies or food intolerances they may have…).

Take advantage of your mountain vacation to host a raclette party! Yes, even in the middle of summer. The best part: no cooking required—just order a platter of cold cuts, cheese, and potatoes from the cheese shop. You’d be missing out if you didn’t: we’ll lend you raclette machines for free —just ask at the front desk of our residences (Chalet Hôtel Turquoise or Lodge des Glaciers).

Enjoy your meal!

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