Motorhome skiing

bagshaws
bagshaws Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited December 2019 in Motorhomes #1

Hi , we have a dethleffs Esprit RT6844 . We would love to take it to a ski resort . Where can I find information about wintering the van. Or has anyone got any tips / advice for us . I am aware of needing extra clothes etc. It's more about stopping the van from freezing. 

Many thanks in advance 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #2

    Motorhome Fun forum has a whole section dedicated to skiing matters. Whether it’s useful, I really don’t know.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2019 #3

    I did not know that there were ski made for motor caravans i have seen one skating on icecool

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited December 2019 #4

    Well done, JVB, it seems my humour is gaining a Devotee  ( at last  wink )

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2019 #5

    Gives a whole new approach to Apre Skisurprised

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2019 #6

    Bagshaws, Where can you find information?

    Just type Ski holiday with Motorhome in your internet search box. There's all sorts of information already there - about insulation of under floor fresh water and  waste water tanks, and water pipes too or keeping all fresh water and waste indoors, the need for winter tyres and snow chains, running heating 24/24 on gas or electricity, advice on choosing sites or Aires in open sunny places rather than dark deep Alpine valleys, and ideally ones with heated drying rooms and storage, choosing somewhere with nearness to ski lifts, and so on. It's all on line in lots of places, with blogs from experieced winter travellers. . Good luck.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited December 2019 #7

    Ski lifts? You'll never get a MH on a ski lift.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited December 2019 #8

    Maybe a motorhome can't ski .... but a (proper) Mini can https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utFbjheDC-Y 😁

  • Philnffc
    Philnffc Forum Participant Posts: 317
    edited December 2019 #9

    HI

    We went  about eight years ago and stayed here

    here https://www.sportcamp.at/en/woferlgut/camping-site-p515.html

    first class site where you use their water and gas which are both from underground tanks as your gas and water will both freeze, this site has a drying room for clothes/kit and an excellent spa.

    We were advised to stay on the floor of the valley which this site is and take their transport up to the ski resorts because of access problems for larger vehicles, we have only visited Austria because I worked there so cant help you with France.

    Regards

    Phil

  • bagshaws
    bagshaws Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited December 2019 #10

    Thanks guys, information is power and all that! humor, well that's nothing to laugh at..!  laughingtongue-out

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited December 2019 #11

    Although we don't ski, we have spent a lot of time in the Alps in winter as our daughter and her family live there. We can recommend two sites; camping Eden at Landry and Camping Huttopia  at Bourg Saint Maurice. They're both in the Tarantaise valley of the Savoie. Both specialize in winter caravanning for skiers with heated sanfacs and equipment rooms and both have public transport links to Ski lift and funiculalre stations. They are also on the valley floor and so you don't need snow chains of snow tyres. If you want to go up to the motorhome aires in Les Arcs or La Plagne you must have chains or snow tyres.

    Being based down in the valley means you have ready access to supermarkets and restaurants and 'normal' prices.

    Practical tips for surviving at low temperatures ( -20C by night: -10C by day) include:

    Try to get a sunny pitch

    Fit external screens on the cab

    Drain your waste water into a bucket and empty the ice daily - do not use a closed container!

    Keep your binds on the sunny side open by day to increase greenhouse effect - the others permanently closed

    Lift your ehu cable regularly to prevent it sinking below the ice and getting trapped

    Clear any large snow accumulation on the roof from around your gas heater flue

    Use a  1 kW fan heater to maintain a background heat, but note 10Amp supply normal

    Take your deck chairs and warm clothing for sitting out in the sun.image

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited December 2019 #12

    My daughter took this photo last year of the newly-opened Aire at Plagne Centre. (2,000 metres asl)

    image

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited December 2019 #13

    not too many UK PVCs in that photo, Chas. A bit chilly for these i would say.

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