Hi Kat. For beginners going skiing with their Motorhome/Campervan, may I suggest Montgenevre (French Alps) they have an aire just outside the village. It has approx 200 places with 90 electrical outlets, there is a grey water and wc disposal point also freshwater point all open during the whole winter. There is also a hut where you can do you dishes. During the day there is free navette which runs between the aire and centre of village. The whole ski domain is good for complete beginners to experts. The cost of the aire goes up after 10 days, but all you need to do is pay on the 10th day drive out and drive back in again with a new ticket on entry. To check out more info see www.montgenevre.com . Also if going elsewhere may I suggest searching on google with “caravanneige” this will give you selection of winter campsites. At montgenevre there is also a small supermarket which sells 13 kg propane gas cylinders and if you buy a kit if conversion connectors then you can use these French cylinders. (They will also deliver to the aire.). Last thing to remember, not only winter tyres are a great idea but you must have set of snow chains for your vehicle, at certain times due to weather, the police will set up “chaining areas” and will not allow vehicles to continue unless they have chains fitted. (Montgenevre is well catered for as far as keeping the road up to the station clear as they get the plows out very quickly if it starts snowing heavily.) We have been going to Montgenevre for over 15 years and have never had any serious problems. Hope this info may be useful to you all.
Hi David - totally agree that Montgenevre is fab! We have spent a lot of time there. However, there are a few really important things to point out for total novices to motorhome skiing that might be worth considering for anyone reading this. If you are in a campervan without a WC, you are going to have one hell of a trek - the nearest public loos are a good 5 minute walk into town - not fun for a midnight wee! Whilst the aire itself isn't restricted, we found a number of people in bigger vans getting into a right mess at the entrance to the aire itself which can become a bit narrow as the snow builds during the season and perhaps most importantly - the tariff skyrockets after 7 days, not 10. It is however great - especially for anyone wanting to test their van in winter on an aire with a bit of security from the hook up! You can find details about the skiing, parking, aire, including our aire tour here! www.snomadsites.com/item/montgenevre-aire/
Sorry my bad, yep the tarif does go up after 7 days. I didn’t think about the toilet as I didn’t really think that anyone would contemplate going on a ski holiday in the alps in winter without a loo and shower in their vehicle. Never seen anyone have a problem getting in or out of the aire as the big snow plow comes around regularly after any major snowfall, and that’s why I also mentioned the snow chains. I stand corrected.😊
@@davidgroat3625 Lots of people take campervans without toilets! We personally wouldn't do that unless we were staying on an aire with a loo or probably actually a campsite but a lot of hard folks do!
Ace idea - we actually have a load of caravan ski resources you might find interesting - we recruited a caravan guru in John to help and we're converts! www.winterised.com/category/caravan-ski/
Hi H. Some really useful stuff here. On the subject of insulating pipes and other areas under the van, what’s the advice on the practicalities of actually getting under the vehicle to do this. I’m not keen on jacking up a 3.5 ton van on consumer grade jacks...
The proper answer is that you can actually hire pits or 4 pillar lifts in garages - we have a place near us that does it by the hour. James is skinny enough to slide under a low van (uses an old snowboard as his skate!) but if you think it's worth the investment, load rated steel ramps would give you more flexibility or James suggested buying a sleeper, cutting it up and angling the ends. It really depends but you are right - consumer jacks aren't what I'd use. We also have access to some more robust industrial jacks so making friends with a local 'spanner' might be your best bet!
They work to a point - to work best, they need to be on continously and they do draw a bit so it's worth doing the maths. What it doesn't do is help with your pipes and if your pipes freeze it doesn't matter if your tanks are fluid! They won't defrost a frozen tank but they're nice to have - an easy retro-fit in most tanks. We spent a lot of time off grid and had to be really careful about the power. Basically what I'm saying is they're not a silver bullet but every little helps!
Thank you for having me! Happy to answer any questions that people may have.
Snow Chains! saved me when I was stuck in a car park one year
Need a double floor Hymer, I have an old B584 just brilliant. I guess other CC's have double floors too though
Hi Kat. For beginners going skiing with their Motorhome/Campervan, may I suggest Montgenevre (French Alps) they have an aire just outside the village. It has approx 200 places with 90 electrical outlets, there is a grey water and wc disposal point also freshwater point all open during the whole winter. There is also a hut where you can do you dishes. During the day there is free navette which runs between the aire and centre of village. The whole ski domain is good for complete beginners to experts. The cost of the aire goes up after 10 days, but all you need to do is pay on the 10th day drive out and drive back in again with a new ticket on entry. To check out more info see www.montgenevre.com . Also if going elsewhere may I suggest searching on google with “caravanneige” this will give you selection of winter campsites. At montgenevre there is also a small supermarket which sells 13 kg propane gas cylinders and if you buy a kit if conversion connectors then you can use these French cylinders. (They will also deliver to the aire.). Last thing to remember, not only winter tyres are a great idea but you must have set of snow chains for your vehicle, at certain times due to weather, the police will set up “chaining areas” and will not allow vehicles to continue unless they have chains fitted.
(Montgenevre is well catered for as far as keeping the road up to the station clear as they get the plows out very quickly if it starts snowing heavily.) We have been going to Montgenevre for over 15 years and have never had any serious problems. Hope this info may be useful to you all.
Hi David - totally agree that Montgenevre is fab! We have spent a lot of time there. However, there are a few really important things to point out for total novices to motorhome skiing that might be worth considering for anyone reading this. If you are in a campervan without a WC, you are going to have one hell of a trek - the nearest public loos are a good 5 minute walk into town - not fun for a midnight wee! Whilst the aire itself isn't restricted, we found a number of people in bigger vans getting into a right mess at the entrance to the aire itself which can become a bit narrow as the snow builds during the season and perhaps most importantly - the tariff skyrockets after 7 days, not 10. It is however great - especially for anyone wanting to test their van in winter on an aire with a bit of security from the hook up! You can find details about the skiing, parking, aire, including our aire tour here! www.snomadsites.com/item/montgenevre-aire/
Sorry my bad, yep the tarif does go up after 7 days. I didn’t think about the toilet as I didn’t really think that anyone would contemplate going on a ski holiday in the alps in winter without a loo and shower in their vehicle. Never seen anyone have a problem getting in or out of the aire as the big snow plow comes around regularly after any major snowfall, and that’s why I also mentioned the snow chains. I stand corrected.😊
@@davidgroat3625 Lots of people take campervans without toilets! We personally wouldn't do that unless we were staying on an aire with a loo or probably actually a campsite but a lot of hard folks do!
That was great. I have thought about this with caravan at some point. Our only draw back is it’s 7 hours from dover for us.
Ace idea - we actually have a load of caravan ski resources you might find interesting - we recruited a caravan guru in John to help and we're converts! www.winterised.com/category/caravan-ski/
Hi H. Some really useful stuff here. On the subject of insulating pipes and other areas under the van, what’s the advice on the practicalities of actually getting under the vehicle to do this. I’m not keen on jacking up a 3.5 ton van on consumer grade jacks...
The proper answer is that you can actually hire pits or 4 pillar lifts in garages - we have a place near us that does it by the hour. James is skinny enough to slide under a low van (uses an old snowboard as his skate!) but if you think it's worth the investment, load rated steel ramps would give you more flexibility or James suggested buying a sleeper, cutting it up and angling the ends. It really depends but you are right - consumer jacks aren't what I'd use. We also have access to some more robust industrial jacks so making friends with a local 'spanner' might be your best bet!
Did you find out the campsite recommendation in les deux alps? Cant see anything particularly close to the resort other then the aire...
yes! Apologies - had a complete brain fart! www.champ-du-moulin.com/en/
what's your opinion on the heater's that are inside the water tanks
They work to a point - to work best, they need to be on continously and they do draw a bit so it's worth doing the maths. What it doesn't do is help with your pipes and if your pipes freeze it doesn't matter if your tanks are fluid! They won't defrost a frozen tank but they're nice to have - an easy retro-fit in most tanks. We spent a lot of time off grid and had to be really careful about the power. Basically what I'm saying is they're not a silver bullet but every little helps!