Carrying families, or groups like here with hunters (or mountain climbers,) , puts a tremendous pressure on the pilot. In this case he was family also and part of the group. Even more difficult.
Because of all of this he probably wanted himself to take an active part in the gathering so ferrying the plane for a night stop elsewhere was not really on his options list.
Add sports gear, winter clothing, an airport with hardly any facilities given the time of Year.
Like sikpilot writes, an accident report could have been written, even days before the T/O.
Very sad though for the affected families.
Most of us professional pilots have been there one or another way. If You can read this You were lucky, or You took the right decision.