Winter RVing: Your Guide to Year-Round Adventures

There are many reasons to love living in Canada, but having four distinct seasons, each with its special charms, has to be one of them and, yes, that includes winter.

Everybody has their own limits when the mercury drops, but winter RVing is a fantastic way to fall in love with a season that is often underappreciated. With the right preparation, your RV becomes a warm retreat parked in the middle of a quiet, snow-covered landscape — and campsites you would have to book a year ahead in July are sitting empty.

Getting Ready for Winter RVing

Winter travel rewards planning. Work out where you are going, what the road will be like when you get there, and what your RV can and cannot do in the cold before you set off rather than after.

Must-Have Equipment and Supplies

Warm Clothing

This is one of those “Duh” suggestions, but think in thermal layers that can be easily added and peeled off as the temperature rises and falls. Avoid clothing made of cotton, which stays wet, in favour of materials that wick moisture away. Your hands and feet are especially vulnerable, so bring insulated boots and gloves — and don’t forget that your body loses a lot of heat through your head, so warm hats that cover your ears are essential.

Reliable Heating

Keeping the interior of your RV warm is essential, and the insulation of RVs for winter camping varies greatly depending on the make, model and modifications. Most standard RVs are not designed for extreme winter conditions but can be adapted for cold weather with proper preparation. Four-season models add better insulation and a heated underbelly; thermal curtains and foam insulation will improve almost any RV.

Insulated Water Hose

Use a heated water hose or insulate your existing one to prevent freezing.

RV Skirting

A protective barrier installed around the base of an RV to enclose the underside and act as a shield. Adding skirting is one of the most effective ways to improve insulation, conserve heat and protect plumbing during winter camping. Skirting material can vary from insulated vinyl panels to heavy-duty fabric, to foam boards or DIY options made of plywood or corrugated plastic. Professionally made skirting can cost $1,000 to $3,000, while DIY solutions may be as low as $200 to $500. Installation and removal are straightforward, but some options may require more effort due to weight. Figure a moderate amount of storage space.

Snow Tools

Bring a snow shovel, ice scraper and roof rake.

Emergency Kit

Pack a first-aid kit, extra blankets, flashlights, batteries and a portable emergency kit.

Food, Water and Fuel

Carry non-perishable food, more drinking water than you think you need, and full propane tanks.

Other key factors to consider

Insulate pipes, add tank heaters, hang thermal curtains, seal drafts, run a dehumidifier to keep condensation down, and fit winter tires before you leave.

Canada’s Best Winter RV Destinations

Banff National Park, Algonquin Provincial Park, Whistler and Mont-Tremblant all reward a winter visit — and all of them are quieter in February than they will ever be in August.