A Winter Camping Trip – Powder or Waves?

RV at winter time in campground in Riverside Resort, Whistler BC

Winter RVing in the snow at Riverside Resort, Whistler, BC

As my planning for the winter RV trip was taking shape, I pondered where to go for seven days. Kootenay Rockies or Vancouver Island, two very different destinations that each offer a unique experience!

That decided, I started making inquiries at a number of RV rental places. Interestingly enough, I discovered only a few RV rental companies winterize units and allow travel to winter destinations. One company that stood out for me was Canadream. Their instant online assistance made research quick and easy. Within minutes I found out what the units cost.

Red Mountain Resort, Rossland BC
Photo credit: Destination BC/Dave Heath

Not only was their online service instantaneous but their “Pillow & Powder” package caught my eye. It’s designed for powder hounds wishing to seek out the best snow and that’s what it’s all about for me! RV rental rates are from $184/day (2019-20 rates). The more I thought about it, the more appealing it became. I loved the idea of staying in a mobile chalet! There is nothing worse than being at a resort that doesn’t have snow, so being mobile would give us the freedom to travel to wherever the snow dumps! How great is that!!

Included in the winterized units are bedding, dishes, kitchen equipment, high efficiency furnace and generator. In fact everything to keep you toasty warm while you rest for your next champagne powder day!

Another RV rental company that I thought great was West Coast Mountain Campers. They had good rental prices and friendly service. RV travel is limited to milder climates, as the vehicles are not winterized and equipped for winter conditions or destinations but are ideal for westcoast trips to Vancouver Island (BC) or the United States of America, so check it out too.

Being budget conscious, I tallied both RV rental trips and the prices were very close.

The difference between trips was approximately $500. Kootenay Rockies or Vancouver Island? Powder or Waves? How lucky we are to live in such a diverse place that offers such amazing choices!

Tofino Storm Watching
Photo Credit: Destination BC

After a family conference, we chose a trip to Tofino on Vancouver Island in hopes of storm watching and experiencing a true winter west coast.

For a comprehensive list of British Columbia campgrounds including those open in the winter go to our Camping Map.

Published: November 26th, 2013

by Adventure Mom

Alenna, raised in British Columbia, has been camping and playing in the outdoors all her life. Her earliest camping memory is at age 2. She was sleeping in her parent’s camperized van and was woken up by her parents frantically trying to to scare a bear away by flashing their headlights on and off. Today she continues to camp with her own family without further bear incidences! You can find her racing in triathlons, practicing yoga, snowboarding, skiing, hiking or lazing in her lawn chair at a hidden campground gem.