Ski trip in a Motorhome. Am I crazy?

holstein13 wrote:
My dream of full timing in a motorhome generally consists of following the sun and chasing perfect weather. Unfortunately, my wife and kids would like to ski for a couple of weeks this winter.

We love the Winter and spent 8 years using the Motor Homes on the East Coast, to ski (Being a contractor for 30 years it was easier to take off in the winter) Then we flew out west for 8 more years. When my son and DIL moved to Boulder, CO we spent a couple of winters in the Coach helping with the First Born. (Including one winter where it was minus 17 as a low for 10 days straight – we did leave and spend Xmas in Vegas to warm up)

So I feel I have some experience on winter camping.

So I need your advice, council and recommendations on what to do. Here's the setup: I'll be traveling in a brand new 45 foot King Aire with Oasis Hydronic heating and a 200 gallon diesel fuel tank and 140 gallons of fresh water. In addition, I'll have the factory installed solar panels (400 watts, I think). The coach is all electric, no propane.

I have a similar rig but we set it up for winter and Boondocking –so we have Gas cook top and Refrigerator. As long as you have electric – in a FHU Park you will be fine. I have 480 on the roof and in the winter it is not enough to run the TV, so if you boondock you will need to run the Generator for 4-8 hours to recharge, JMHO.

I'm traveling with my wife and two girls (9 and 12). I'd like to visit either the Denver surrounding area or Salt Lake City surrounding area. I like Denver because my nephew lives there and I like SLC because it's closer to Arizona and I can get to warm weather easier afterwards.

Having done both I might be so bold as to recommend that you do the same. Breck has Tiger Run and Park city has Park City RV resort, both will work and put you near the slopes to get your fill of downhilling. The other option would be to stay near downtown SLC or Golden to camp and make the long runs in the toad.

Here are the questions I have, but feel free to comment on any other point you think I should know about:

1) Should I even attempt this or try and find a hotel or VRBO instead?

Totally your decision – with just a couple additions your coach would be perfect – Talk to Newmar to see if they can still wrap the coach in Reflective Bubble Wrap it help with the air tightness and give you one more layer. But with your heating system you are already in pretty good shape.

2) Can my rig handle the cold weather of winter at elevation for a couple of weeks?

If you keep the heat on it should be fine anywhere.

3) How am I going to drive around on snow or icy roads?

In the Toad – or in the Coach – SLOWLY!

4) Where should I camp? Should I boondock? Are campgrounds even open near ski lifts?

See above for two locations – or PM me to talk.

5) If I camp, should I keep my hoses inside and only hook them up temporarily as needed?

There is a ton of conversation in the forum to educate you on winter camping. Just do a Search.

I look forward to your replies.