BENEFITS OF TAKING A CAMPERVAN TRIP ON YOUR SKI HOLIDAY

If you’re already gearing up to hit the slopes this season, have you thought about doing things a little differently? Hiring a campervan and driving to your chosen resort might sound a little out there, but trust us, there are so many reasons to give it a go, especially if you’re always up for a new adventure.

Not convinced? Well, we caught up with the campervan experts, Goboony, to find out why campervan and ski holidays are the perfect match for thrill seekers looking to mix things up.

Most of us have to work, which means scheduling our holidays in advance to ensure we can get the time off to head to the mountains. But snowfall doesn’t always get the memo! Arriving in your chosen resort only to discover that the snow is not good enough to ski or that you have limited access to slopes is any skier's worst nightmare.

By ditching chalets and hotels and choosing to travel in a campervan instead, there’s no need to worry, as your plans can be more flexible. If there isn't enough snow at the first resort you arrive at, you can pack up and move to the next one.

Even on the drive to Europe, you can maintain flexibility and change plans based on snow reports at resorts or even in different countries. The key is to have checked out a few campervan sites before you set off so you can quickly adjust your plans and ensure you bag the gnarliest conditions and the best pitches.

Skiing can be an expensive hobby, with transport, food, buying or hiring gear, and lift passes all adding up and eating into your hard-earned budget. Travelling in a campervan means you can mitigate some of these costs by combining your transport and accommodation. It means you can automatically do away with expensive flights or hotels. And trust us, camping fees are definitely a lot lower than many resort hotels, chalets and even hostels. Plus, as ski season falls in low season for hiring, you can bag savings of up to 50% on some campervans, so you might find a bigger, better van than you initially thought.

Depending on your chosen destination, driving often works out cheaper, especially if a few of you travel together, as you can split the fuel costs, tolls and ferry charges rather than each having to fork out for flights. Driving with your gang also means you'll have a lower carbon footprint, which is better for the planet.

For serious skiers, heading skiing in a campervan means you can bring all your gear without having to worry about additional fees for checking in a ski or snowboard bag with an airline.

Finally, travelling in a campervan allows you to save on food, as you can buy your own and cook up a storm in your van. Buy locally, and the food is often cheap and tasty. Cooking for yourself also means you don’t have to stick to a schedule imposed by a hotel or chalet. If you want to make fresh tracks on bluebird mornings or ski late into the evening, you can.  And, if you fancy a night out, you can always treat yourself to a meal or two at the resort.

Skiing is physically demanding, and by the end of the day sometimes you just want some peace and quiet. And, believe us campervans win over a hotel, Airbnb or shared chalet when it comes to privacy. Just think, after a long day carving, you can head back to your cosy camper, relax and spend some quality time catching up with your gang. And, if you’re feeling more sociable many campsites have their own après onsite, so you don’t even have to head into resort.

One of the biggest perks of travelling by campervan has to be the amount of storage space available. And, let’s face it, if you’re going skiing, you need plenty of room for all your gear.

Even if you're hiring ski equipment in resort, your packing list will still include warm layers, accessories and protective gear. If flying, this could mean paying extra for baggage or a tight squeeze in the car. In a campervan, there’s much more space for all your stuff, and as long as you keep it organised, you shouldn’t have any problems fitting in everything you need.

Travelling in a campervan also gives you the freedom to invest in your ski equipment rather than spending loads on hiring each season. At Snow + Rock, you’ll find the best skis, snowboards, ski boots and helmets alongside expert advice, so you can wave goodbye to poorly-fitting ski boots or dull-edged skis. 

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You might be worried about feeling the cold when spending nights in a campervan in the midst of winter, but you needn’t worry. Most campervans available for hire through the winter months come with decent heaters and soon warm up once you're settled in for the night.

In terms of sleeping, it’s best to cosy up in a sleeping bag rather than a duvet as they prevent cold spots through the night. Just make sure you choose a sleeping bag with a warmth rating that’s appropriate for where you’re heading, and bear in mind how much you feel the cold.

Check out our guide to choosing a sleeping bag here.

Sure, skiing might be the big draw, but there is so much more to the mountains than just tearing up the slopes. From epic scenery to crystal clear skies and crisp air, it’s a unique environment and being in your campervan is hands-down the best way to experience this. 

Now you’ve heard from the experts why campervans make the gnarliest skiing holidays, you may want to start looking at what’s out there. Goboony is the largest campervan-sharing platform and offers loads of vans for hire, so is the best place to start your search and plan your next adventure.