Top 10 Getaway for Family Reunions – Stratton Mountain Resort, Vermont

FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners highlights Stratton Mountain Resort as one of 2004's best places to host your family's next reunion.FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners highlights Stratton Mountain Resort as one of 2004's best places to host your family's next reunion.

In 2004, FTF evaluated businesses in the hospitality, cruise and tour sectors that excel at satisfying the needs of children and adults participating in family reunions. Winners were determined from more than 100 nominations made by travel experts, contributing editors and 80,000 site visitors. By considering and evaluating their location, available transportation, variety of accommodations in different price ranges, activities for all ages, unique attractions, dining options and group discounts before making site inspections, FTF discovered the top value reunion destinations.

Top Ski and Summer Getaway

Stratton Mountain Resort
Stratton Mountain, Vermont
800/STRATTON

Stratton calls itself a “mountain of adventure for the whole family,” and offers everything to make it so. Skiing and riding the snow-capped Green Mountains are central to the action, but there is so much more for both ski bums and active family members to do. This little central Vermont town has evolved into a popular reunion destination for Northeast families as well as leaf-peekers throughout the US.

Stratton’s alpine-style pedestrian village, designed by the creative folks at Intrawest, is the base for various activities such as indoor swimming and tennis, which take place at a state-of-the-art sports center. Strolling the village lanes past maple-syrup, cheese and crafts shops, or the galleries featuring the work of Vermont artists is a very popular activity for your “couch potato” family members. In summer, the mountains remain a focus for adventurous hikers and mountain bikers, while other relatives try summer pastimes including tennis, golf, fishing and canoeing. The village hosts frequent concerts and other cultural events, and summer theatre, music and dance can be seen in surrounding towns. Year-round, the full service Spa at Stratton Mountain adds a luxurious element to an otherwise active outdoors vacation. Children’s programs welcome infants from 6-weeks-old and ages 3 to 12-years in age-appropriate groups. A hip teen’s program is active on weekends and holidays.

Stratton will assign a dedicated reunion planner to groups of 20 in winter and 12 in summer to help coordinate activities, meals and lodging. Accommodations from inn rooms to three and four-bedroom condos and a five-bedroom house range in price from $79 to $1,500/N in winter and $49 to $900/N in summer, so you’ll find something for everyone, no matter what cousin Rosie or your half-brother’s in-laws want to spend. Handicapped-accessible rooms are available, and since lodging facilities hug the small, well-paved, car-free basecamp, your mobility-impaired relatives – be they toddlers or elders – can easily join in the family fun.