Skier’s Guide to RVing in the Winter
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The winter months are finally here and anxious skiers can finally make their way back out onto the white, sparkling slopes. While many athletes have only a few slopes that they really enjoy, other ski enthusiasts look forward to many months of active travel between frosted mountain tops and ski resorts.
Unfortunately, the accommodations for this sport are often less enjoyable. Large crowds of people make it difficult to find comfortable and affordable lodging. In the meantime, skiers spend big bucks paying for room, food, storage, and transportation up to the slopes.
RVs: The Skier’s Solution
Many active skiers have found that the world of RVs holds enticing benefits for the snow-thirsty traveller. Free to travel from one set of snowy mountains to another, skiers are no longer tied down to any particular location. Once they’ve had their fill of snow for one day, a warm, comfortable, private RV is awaiting their return, with a personal selection of food and room accommodations at their disposal.
The benefits of winter RVing far outweigh the drawbacks for skiers. But in order to enjoy those benefits, you have to know how to safely and efficiently operate your RV in the snow and other freezing conditions. That being said, here are eleven straightforward tips that skiers can use while preparing for their winter RV adventures:
11-Step Guide for Winterizing RV
In order to truly enjoy your personalized lodging away from the commotion of the resort, you must make sure that you and your RV are ready for the freezing weather. This list is not exhaustive, but should equip skiers with the essentially necessary to winterize their RV.
1. Fill Propane Tank
While we would discourage skiers from using their RV’s propane heater, it is important that it is regularly checked to make sure it’s full. Propane heaters give off a lot of moisture, which can make it harder to keep your RV warm and easier for windows and cupboards to freeze. However, a lot of your motorhome’s other functions require propane, so be sure you have a full tank before blazing your way into any desolate areas.
2. Buy (or Make) a Heated Hose
If you plan to stay at any slope for several months at a time, it may be in your best interest to buy or make a heated water hose. This will allow you to leave your water hose connected and accessible all day, while a regular water hose would freeze in a matter of hours.
3. Engine and Battery
Your RV may require particular care and preparation, depending on the kind of engine and battery in your vehicle. Be sure to read up on the needs and nuances of both so that you can fully prepare them to last the whole ski season.
4. Skirt your RV
Skirting your RV is the task of building or setting up a barrier of some kind around the base of your parked RV. This small wall or barrier is meant to block the cold wind and keep the underside of your RV warm. You can build a small wall around your RV out of nearby snow, or there are specially designed RV skirts that also do the job quite well. Just be sure that you do not cover any of your RV’s vents or exhaust pipes.
5. Purchase Indoor Heater
As we mentioned earlier, the use of a propane heater releases additional moisture into the cab of the RV. Instead, try purchasing some battery-powered or electric heaters to warm the interior of your vehicle.
6. Run Space Heaters
There are many other parts of your RV must also be kept from freezing. Adding additional small heaters to your wet bay and freshwater bay will ensure that you water and filters don’t freeze.
7. Dress Warm
As professional skiers, this is probably something you already know. Still, conditions in an RV are a bit different than when you’ve got a full room at a resort. That being said, be sure that you have thick, warm blankets, plenty of socks, and a pair of house shoes. Thick sheets, down comforters, and even electric blankets can help you stay warm at night.
8. Shovel Snow Regularly
The weight of the snow on top of your RV, awnings, and slideouts can cause them to crack and break. The last thing you want is a leaky roof and a thousand dollar repair job, so be sure to shovel off any snow that accumulates on top of your vehicle.
9. Store Hoses
When plastic freezes, it become brittle and breaks easily. Because most RV hoses are made of plastic and designed for summer use, leaving them out in the cold isn’t an option. Store these hoses after each use to ensure that they last you through the ski season.
10. Control Moisture
As you live and work in your RV, the space will quickly start to fill with moisture. Wet snow, clothes, running water, and even just breathing will start to make the space feel damp. Crack a snow and water-proof vent to allow some of the moisture to escape, or invest in products like DampRid to pull moisture from the air. The last thing you want is for your cupboards and windows to freeze over with condensation.
11. Insulate Your RV
While you’re off enjoying the frosty slopes, your RV is left to sit in the snow and will quickly get cold. To help insulate your RV, close blinds, shades, and vents while you are away or before you go to bed. This step will help keep as much heat inside your RV as possible and make it easier to regulate temperatures.
Find an RV and Hit the Slopes!
If these eleven simple steps have peked your interest, but you don’t have an RV to use on your next ski adventure, we can help! At Kirkland RV, we have a wide selection of reliable and affordable RVs. Choose from a number of new and used RVs to find the perfect fit for you this coming season!
Stop in to view our selection of RVs for sale, or contact us today by giving us a call at (866)-710-0064. If you have any questions, fill out our simple contact form.
