Have you decided to organize a mountain team-building trip for your teams this winter?
Excellent destination choice! There’s nothing better than a stay in the mountains to gain fresh perspective… and come back with new ideas for your company.
French ski resorts offer plenty of activities designed to strengthen the soft skills you want to develop: pushing beyond limits, building trust, and working together toward a common goal — all in a fun and positive atmosphere.
Whether for a day trip or a two- or three-day getaway, escape the city’s gray skies and head for the snowy peaks! Passe Montagne shares all its best tips for a successful ski team-building experience.
1. Define the main goal of your ski team-building
Why did you decide to organize a ski team-building? Do you want to create a buzz among colleagues at the launch of a new project? Reward a team that has worked hard and successfully over the past few months? Facilitate the integration of new strategic recruits?
Clearly defining the goal behind your team-building will allow you to establish clear specifications, and thus return fully satisfied from these few days in the mountains.
For example, if your main objective is to create connections between colleagues, you will certainly put the emphasis on group activities and could escape the office for just one day (provided the chosen resort is not too far from your home base).
On the contrary, if your colleagues already know each other but you want to give a positive boost to an ambitious business project, you will no doubt prefer a more studious two or three-day program (and will therefore need meeting rooms in addition to activity ideas).
2. Block a date that fits the professional (and personal) agendas of the employees participating in the team-building
This is certainly the trickiest point when organizing a mountain team-building!
Start by checking when major professional trade shows are scheduled that you and your colleagues plan to attend, to avoid scheduling conflicts. Also make sure to keep in mind the peak activity periods of each participant (which can vary from one department to another) so as not to put anyone in a difficult position.
Finally, test the waters to eliminate dates when your colleagues might already have personal commitments (a wedding, a vacation on the other side of the world booked months in advance, etc.).
Ideally, you will choose a date in mid-January or mid-March/April; that is, outside of school holidays (fewer people, more affordable rates), and while snow coverage is at its peak in most French ski resorts at medium and high altitude (and even low altitude at the height of winter).
Use our interactive map of French ski resorts to filter the 150 Passe Montagne partner destinations.
3. List all your technical constraints for a ski team-building that meets your expectations
You know your goal, you know when you want to go, it's time to review all your technical constraints. Among the points to cover:
Do you need meeting rooms?
Does everyone already know how to ski, or not at all?
What skills do you want to develop in team-building participants? This will help you choose more collaborative activities, or those that encourage pushing oneself, etc.
How long can you afford to leave the city?
Think especially of parents of young children, who will no doubt be relieved to be away for only a day, or at most two days / one night. A ski destination not too far away (less than 4 hours by car) would be well suited in this case.
Check out the map of Passe Montagne partner ski resorts (Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Massif Central)
The total budget you can allocate to your team-building will of course play a key role and determine the length of the stay (1 day? 2 days? 3 days?).
To benefit from discounted ski passes, you already know how: simply choose a ski resort from the 150 Passe Montagne partner ski resorts.
And for accommodation? Trust us to find the most suitable solution for your group size and budget!
4. Choose a destination that reflects your identity for your ski team-building
A team-building is also a communication opportunity on professional networks (like LinkedIn), a great opportunity to clearly assert your brand identity to attract prospects and talent.
Once you have selected a few destinations that match your technical constraints (for example: with a conference center, with off-ski activities, less than 4 hours' drive from your city, etc.), take the time to look at the brand image projected by each destination.
Are you an innovative company? Choose a ski resort known for its dynamism, its pioneering, trendy side. Are you a family-oriented, authentic company? Opt for a ski resort with a village atmosphere, traditional chalets. Is your company highly committed to the environment? Look for a resort that highlights nature, or one with a Flocon Vert certification.
Not sure? We can advise you!
5. For logistics (accommodation, transport, activities...): delegate as much as possible!
Organizing a ski team-building takes time and expertise. To make your life easier, call on an agency that can take care of pre-selecting accommodations that match your constraints, booking a coach to avoid everyone having to drive, proposing an activity program adapted to the profile of participants and your strategic objectives, etc.
Passe Montagne can support you throughout this process, and send you a free quote that fully meets your initial brief.
