As the mercury drops and the powder falls, ski resorts across the country gear up for another exciting season. For skiers and snowboarders, it’s time to prepare your gear for the mountain. If you’re an RVer who enjoys a day on the slopes, you’ve got double the work to do.
With two locations in Loveland and Denver, CO, we know a thing or two about getting your RV ready for a trip to the slopes. Read on for tips about what accessories you’ll need, how to prepare your RV and where to go on your next RV ski trip!
What to Bring
As with any winter RV trip, RVers need a few pieces of essential gear to stay comfortable and safe. Warm clothing is a must. Besides your ski jacket, pants and gloves, warm clothing for your downtime are key. Since you’ll be staying in your RV overnight, temperatures will be low and running a heater all night isn’t the safest practice. Warm nightwear, winter sheets, and a few thick blankets are plenty to keep you comfortable during the night.
Depending on the size or type of RV you own, a space heater or two may be necessary. An extra supply of antifreeze could come in handy during a particularly cold night and will ensure you can take a warm shower after a long day on the mountain. If snowfall is expected overnight during your stay, bring a shovel to keep the area around your RV clear. Make sure to clear your RV’s roof after a heavy snowfall to prevent any damage. An emergency kit with extra supplies of food and water, thermal blankets, road-side flares, hand-warmers, and other essentials is recommended as well.
How to Prepare Your RV
During the fall, the best way to prepare your RV for any winter trip is to have it winterized. Winterization is an annual procedure that all RVs should undergo for one of two purposes. The first, and most common, is to prepare your RV for winter storage. At Lazydays RV, our service experts run a non-toxic antifreeze throughout the RV plumbing system. This help prevents damage to your water system when storing your RV in below freezing conditions.
The second reason to undergo winterization is to prepare your RV for winter travel. Because there are so many different types and models of RV, having an expert handle your RV’s winterization is always best practice. Some RVs come equipped with gear that allows them to travel in winter conditions without much prep, while others don’t.
For a full breakdown of how to prepare for a winter RV trip, check out the Lazydays RV winter travel guide. If you’re interested in winterizing your RV or other pre-trip services, schedule an appointment at your nearest Lazydays RV service center today!
Where to Go
As the RV lifestyle continues to grow in popularity across the country, many of the top ski resorts in the US now allow overnight RV parking. Check out a few resorts to visit on your next winter RV trip.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort – Bend, OR
Located in the heart of central Oregon, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers electrical hookup and general RV parking throughout the season. The mountain, which is 3 ½ hours southeast of Portland, offers over 4.300 acres of lift-accessible terrain for skiers and boarders to explore. Mt. Bachelor boasts 101 runs, with an even mix of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. The season typically goes from Thanksgiving to May, which is one of the longest in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can ski or ride in any direction from the summit, which sits just under 10,000 ft.
The city of Bend, just 20 miles east of Mt. Bachelor, is a must-visit during an RV trip to Oregon. The city’s main highlight is its incredible craft beer scene. The city has 24 breweries, which can mostly be accessed by walking along the Bend Ale Trail. Visitors can enjoy great dining, hiking, fishing, golfing and more activities as well.
Powderhorn Mountain Resort – Mesa, CO
Image courtesy of colorado.com
Offering 1,600 skiable acres and 250 inches of average annual snowfall, Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a great Colorado resort for casual and expert skiers alike. RV camping is free, but hookups are not available. The resort is located along Western Colorado’s Grand Mesa and features some of the best tree skiing in the Rockies. The mountain favors intermediate skiers but offers plenty of expert-level terrain and access to uphill terrain for dedicated powder hounds.
If you plan on heading to Powderhorn from Denver, make sure to stop at Lazydays RV Denver or Loveland for the latest RV accessories or to take care of any pre-trip maintenance you need!
Mammoth Mountain – Mammoth Lakes, CA
Image courtesy of snowmagazine.com
Situated in the eastern part of the Sierra Nevada, Mammoth Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in California. It lies in a very remote part of the state, about 5 ½ hours from San Francisco or Los Angeles. It features over 3,500 skiable acres with a typical season lasting from November to June. Terrain balances evenly between beginner, intermediate and advanced runs. In true California style, Mammoth Mountain sees around 300 sunny days per year.
RVers visiting Mammoth Mountain can take advantage of RV camping all around town. The area has several RV parks and camp sites to choose from.
For more RV trip ideas, service tips, info on the latest RV accessories and more, follow the Lazydays RV blog!
