 Poster: A snowHead
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We are thinking of upgrading our camper from VW T5 custom to a larger Crafter based custom conversion. One of its uses will hopefully be ski trips maybe 3 weeks at a time. Is this realistic? What would be the pitfalls, limitations and advantages etc. Ideally visiting Chamonix/Argentiere, Tignes etc. Well prepared for winter tyres/chains, good heater etc. Main questions are logistics, places to park up, drying gear etc. Any advice, experiences, comments etc welcome
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cracking down on the free parking in Chamonix, barriers now up by Lac du Gaillands preventing campers parking there. Very much a push to using the paid parking/campsites.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Most resorts have a laundrette where you can wash clothes and use a tumble dryer. Also at lower levels like Bourg St Maurice down the road from Tignes the large supermarkets have many tumble dryers.
A camper with a low clearance can get into covered heated parking, for which I found no need for heating. (eg. covered heated parking will typically be 5C which means 10C inside a well insulated van.)
Also consider the ground clearance, as not all parking areas are good for vehicles without high ground clearance. (especially when large amounts of snow fall outside) A 4x4 camper might be a better option.
Climbing up to high altitude resorts can put an immense strain on engines and brakes in large vehicles.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Bob, Well, to start with they bought the wrong van! Best skip to their blog this year (now that they've learnt the lessons) on building a proper winterised van https://www.winterized.eu/2019/05/23/not-just-any-van-build/
You can easily spend months in the alps cheaply and without problems if you have a prepared van. We spend 2 months each year which gives me 40-45 days snowboarding for less than £5 a night plus gas and diesel. All the info you need is already out there you just need to heed the advice of people that have done it.
It sounds like you are doing your own conversion, my advice would be to design it with a10cm deep insulated double floor through which your water runs adjacent to heating ducts and through which you can feed all the electrics. Put the freshwater tank inside, use a truma gas or a diesel heater, if gas plan on using local 13kg bottles. Have a 12v hookup charger, a couple of decent batteries (forget solar in winter).
Be flexible about destinations, I've parked up at Argentierre and Tignes LB and wouldn't go back to either; there are much more van-friendly destinations, especially for long term stays.
ps buy this used book https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Aires-Mountains-Go-Motorhoming/dp/0955280885?tag=amz07b-21 which is now out of print so be quick.
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There's a private site in Villeneuve, Serre Chevalier which has been used by a couple of people. The municipal aire in Monetier is basic, but very handy for the lifts.
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There's also a Facebook group for motorhome and ski.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Apart from rickety, cramped, claustrophobic, cold, wet, damp, unwashed, dirty, muddy and stinky, RVs are great.
Knock yourself out.
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| Whitegold wrote: |
Apart from rickety, cramped, claustrophobic, cold, wet, damp, unwashed, dirty, muddy and stinky, RVs are great.
Knock yourself out. |
You must be rather elderly. Motorhomes have moved on a lot since you last stepped inside one!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@BoardieK, thanks that’s all very useful, yes the van would be custom converted to our spec so we would need to consider every aspect in the plan. If we decide just to use it for ski touring in Scotland the bar may be set lower than for a high alpine resort
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@On the rocks, Having done 3 seasons in Campervan mode I'd echo what @altis, has posted links wise. Our experience was that the WORST country for Campervan Skiing was France and the best was Switzerland (at least in terms of "Aire"). If your intent is solely to avoid using sites then others will be better placed to advise. Some of our best trips utilized the following sites when a proper wash and dry was required.
Monte Rosa: http://www.campeggioalagna.it/
St Anton: https://www.camping-arlberg.at/en
Sella Ronda: https://www.campingcolfosco.org/en
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You know it makes sense.
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| BoardieK wrote: |
@Whitegold, Bramble would disagree:
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Looks like a cool dog.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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The Balneo in Tignes contains all you need to stay clean and warm. Sauna, jacuzzi, gym, squash courts, showers. I had a monthly pass there which was very cheap one season, not much mention of it on the internet. It is close to the bowling alley. One week there was a Miss World pageant in Tignes, and all the girls came in the Balneo. It took me by surprise!
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