SideHillSoup
South Eastern British Columbia
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Joined: 01/05/2006
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jeroen100 wrote:Will ski resorts allow rv-ers to overnight on their parking lots?
I know that a lot of the Ski Resorts that have Hotels or Condo's don't really like RV's over nighting in there parking lots. I have seen a few there in the Mornings and there at Night, but I couldn't tell you how long they were there.
The biggest issue would be the sani dump for the RV. I know around this area they are few and far between in the winter months. Here in the Kootenay’s of B.C. we have a lot of Ski Hills, Snow Cat skiing and Heli Skiing operations with in a 30 minutes drive, but I can't think of one place where I could use a sani dump that isn't buried under a snow bank. You would most likely find them on the Lower Mainland, Okanogan Valley, around Calgary and possibly Banff. I have also asked a buddy in Revelstoke about a sani dump in the winter and they say there is one at the Shell Station that is “supposed” to be open year round.
Myself even though I RV and have in the winter, would rent a car and stay at Hotels, much easier. Good Luck with the trip and as a skiier the Best Powder in the world in Revelstoke and then South down through the West Kootenays. IN Revelstoke they already has 4ft of snow and are Snomobiling. And down here in the Kootenays it is sunny and only the tops of the Mountains have the white stuff
Soup
2006, Komfort 261FS
2007 Sierra SLE, 2500 HD / 4x4 / Duramax with a 6 speed Allison Transmission
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david f
seattle, wa
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Joined: 11/04/2004
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We have spent the last three Christmas's at Silver Star, in Vernon, B.C. They allow boondocking, but have no hook-ups. There is a sani-dump and fresh water in Vernon, at the Great Canadien Superstore, and propane is readily available in town. We have also visited Big White, Apex, and Whistler. Apex has power available, while Whistler has full hook-ups available. Big White allows boondocking. Check to be sure that your rental has chains, and you know how to install them: practice!
We use our motorhome as a ski cabin, and have withstood -20 f. I don't recommend testing your motorhome when it is that cold, but it is doable, although I didn't sleep much. I have done a lot of modifications to allow us to use it in extreme conditions, but wouldn't count on a rental to have many of them.
Est of luck.
david f
2008 Windsport 34b
Safe-T-Plus,Davis Tru-trac rear trac bar, Xantrex 2000 Watt inverter with 4 six volt batteries, Genturi exhaust for generator
1 wife, 1 kid, 1 dog
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bb_94401
San Mateo, California
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Joined: 09/13/2008
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I've spent so much time in the mountains skiing and winter camping that I sometimes assume that everyone else prepares as much as I do.
North Dakota has a bulletin "Stalled, but Safe" about how to prepare yourself and your vehicle to survive if you get stalled or stranded. It is worth reading.
I go to great lengths to ensure that my truck and camper are ready for winter, dependable and capable of dealing with all that winter can dish out. It is also stocked with all sorts of gear, so if I were to get stranded and had no power or propane, I could deal with it. I don't know how well they will prepare the rental. A good winter sleeping bag for each person and a source or way of making water is the absolute minimium IMHO.
On the practical side I'd stop at the nearest Canadian Tire after picking up the unit and buy a couple more ice scrapers, a plastic grain shovel for digging out the RV after a dump, a roll of reflectix insulation to make window covers, and anything else it does not have.
-- Bob
San Mateo, CA
'05 Ram 3500, DWR, LB, 6spd man, CTD,4x4, PRXB exhaust brake
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Anml_341
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 01/15/2007
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Recommend that you have them provide extension cords just in case you can plug in with adapters. Also, make sure you actually learn how everything and I mean everything works including water hose connections if you plan to fill fresh water tank, Black and Grey tanks - how to empty... How to turn on the generator. As Camphosts we are used to "Rentals" arriving and people not knowing how things work. Don't take the RV Rental firm's word for what is open and what is not open. Phone/email ahead of time, you will be glad you did. At least that is our experience in Ontario.
Frank Spence
Ontario Canada
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jeroen100
Netherlands
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Joined: 09/29/2004
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Well, plans are getting more concrete. Il looks like it's gonna be the last 2 weeks of march 2009, from Vancouver to Calgary. Route: Vancouver > Whistler
stay 2/3 nights at Whistler Campground
Whistler > Sun Peaks
stay 2 nights ?
Sun Peaks > Revelstoke ski resort
stay 2 nights ?
Revelstoke > Lake louse
stay 2 Nights at Lake Louise Trailer
Lake Louise > Banff
stay 1 nights Tunnel Mountain
Banff - Calgary
stay 1 night?
Alternitive: Sun Peaks > rt 5 to Jasper > Icefields Parkway > Lake Louise (more driving, less ski-ing)
Any comments / suggestions are welcome.
We have driven route 99 from Whistler to Lillooet in fall, but is it open (drivable) with a MH in winter?
Thanks, Jeroen
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ImaHeadaU
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
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Joined: 10/07/2002
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Seems quite busy to me. But then, I'm in my sixties.
ImaHeadaU - Vancouver, B.C. Canada
'05 Alpenlite Aspen 28RL
'03 Ford F250 6L. Diesel
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PrivatePilot
Courtice, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 11/02/2007
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sue.t wrote:So having the generator would be nice if you also have a small electric heater for the inside.
Everyone should keep in mind that winterized trailers usually 100% rely on circulating hot air from the *furnace* (not electric space heaters) to maintain their winterization.
If the furnace doesn't run hot air isn't heating the underbelly and fresh water plumbing. Freezups could result.
If your winter camping and are using your fresh water and holding tank systems, it's important to not use so much electric heat so as to prevent the furnace from running.
That said, electric heat is tough to justify when on a generator - it uses a lot of oomph (and therefore gas) from the generator for the amount of heat returned. Although propane RV furnaces can be costly to run in the winter in the extreme cold, it's still the best way in the end.
30' Keystone Cougar 5'er, Triple Bunkhouse, SuperSlide.
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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PrivatePilot wrote:Although propane RV furnaces can be costly to run in the winter in the extreme cold, it's still the best way in the end.
When it was -40 outside, the furnace was not enough to maintain temps above 45F inside our RV, even when the furnace ran non-stop. Supplementing with electric heat was the only option. when we had electric to do so. We even had insulation in all the windows and vents.
We weren't worried about keeping the black/gray tanks warmed as they were exposed and frozen solid.
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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So...maybe the thing to do is...tell us when in the year you are thinking of coming? There's skiing to be found late into most years, when winter cold has left us but snow remains. If you are here in the actual winter months, you'll find being in the RV will present challenges. Biggest two being will be keeping the waste tanks UN-frozen and getting warm/dry. You might find that you want to add some form of anti-freeze to your tanks, ensuring that they stay dump-able. It's a matter of not allowing moisture to freeze and damage the lines and tanks. I would suggest carrying a couple jugs of fresh water for your day-to-day use. You can get refills at most shopping centres..Safeway, Co-ops, Overwaitea. Keeping fresh water tank and lines 'without water in them'. You can use your tanks for waste...put in a big jug of RV anti freeze. That'll keep it from freezing into a block that cracks the tank. Dump either once or twice. The cold will limit the amount of odour created.
Skiing is a huge moisture creator eh...sweating and snow/ice. To get your stuff dry and keep the moisture from soaking all your bedding and clothing will take some planning. Perhaps consider how to put in a drying line in the bathroom..hang all your stuff in there, open a window and close the door. There will be a furnace vent in there and moisture won't get into the rest of the rv.
If you are doing a day drive, then hang it around the inside of the cabin, leaving furnace on as you drive, and a vent open. That moisture gets into everything.
Lots of people do ski/camp in their RV. The thing to do, is when you are in a spot...go knock on the rv doors and ask how they do it. You need actual on-scene info from those that do it.
Gary Haupt
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FirstResponder
Whistler, BC Canada
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Joined: 09/09/2004
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I'm not sure when you're planning this trip but want you to be aware that you SHOULD HAVE SNOW TIRES. Highway 99 - to Whistler can be tricky with 4WD with snow tires let alone an RV. Highway 99 from Whistler to Lilloet can be closed due to snow. Check with the information centre in Whistler (where I work) and they can get up to the hour information. But just to remind you, you could be longer in any of these places due to snow. PM me if you have any Whistler questions I'd be happy to help.
First Responder
Ski in the Winter
Travel in the Summer
31' - 1994 Itasca Sunrise
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