How to do a winter motorhome holiday without the cold – but with amazing views
WHEN you think of a motorhome holiday, it is easy to picture summer scenes under a sunny sky.
But a home on wheels can be the perfect partner for those also looking to venture off the beaten track, and in winter.
Consider the Alps.
They may be home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding resorts but hotel and chalet prices can be eyewatering, especially at peak times.
By driving there, instead of flying, you can slash your accommodation costs and it also means less restriction on luggage and no sky-high airfares.
But can you really spend a comfy night in a van in sub-zero temperatures? And how will your motorhome cope?
As I am no Wim Hof The Iceman, I consulted the experts.
Truma UK supplies heating and cooling systems for many of our favourite vehicles, including the Bailey Alora motorhome I would be taking on my adventure.
And what better way to put it to the test than by spending a night with it in Truma’s climate chamber at its Derbyshire HQ where temperatures can be set to a nerve-tingling -15C.
To mimic extreme sub-zero conditions, the vehicle’s doors and windows were opened to chill the interior.
With the temperature well into minus figures, we then stepped inside and whacked up the heating.
It took a few hours for the temperature to rise to a toasty 20C, although of course if you had been driving all day it would not take long to get cosy.
The combi heater, capable of running on diesel and electricity, gives you plenty of options if you are looking to wild-camp.
Heating blasting out, I reached for my pyjamas, duvet and book.
The climate chamber’s fans provided a soothing white noise, while ensuring it remained at -15C, but I was relieved to wake up nice and warm and with the van in great shape.
Confident I could hack it in the wilds, we then set off on a real-life motorhome test visiting eight countries in as many days — and with the Italian Dolomites our ultimate destination.
The weather changed just an hour from Calais, with snow falling in places that had not seen any in years.
Travelling by motorhome, campervan or caravan allows you to change plans at a moment’s notice, and we considered staying at a local campsite till the weather passed.
But our winter tyres, a legal requirement for many European destinations, were out-standing and we made good progress.
When uphill stretches of the motorway became blocked, we took to the back roads, bypassing slithering vehicles.
James Bond villain’s lair
Just 36 hours after setting off from Bristol we were in a winter wonderland — icicles sparkling from pines and firs, and with pure white snow under foot.
The Caravan Park Sexten, handily booked in the UK through The Caravan & Motorhome Club, is a popular destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.
The site in South Tyrol is brilliantly situated, with many “clipping in” to skis outside their motorhome before slaloming directly on to the slopes.
The fabulous complex, which bears a striking resemblance to the lair of a James Bond movie villain, also caters for those not wishing to challenge gravity on the slopes — with an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna and hot tubs.
There is also an on-site restaurant for those who don’t fancy cooking in the van after a hard day’s skiing.
All those facilities do not come at a terrifyingly high price, either. You can book a pitch from £26.50 this month.
The weather system followed us to the campsite, dumping six inches of snow soon after our arrival.
The overnight temperature then dropped to -20C, twice as cold as the predicted -10C.
During the climate chamber test, we had the safety net of being able to decamp to a nearby comfy hotel should things take a downward turn.
Here on the campsite, with a wind chill that nipped at our noses and fingers, our real-life test became very real indeed.
Unsurprisingly, such campsites route beefy electric supplies to each pitch and, as that combined with our motorhome’s diesel heating, we soon turned the heating down despite the temperature outside.
Free of snow
Driving through the Dolomites with day-time “highs” of -7C, the Italian mountain roads were, however, free of snow and ice.
Conditions were so good that a classic car rally passed by as we were enjoying elevenses in a layby.
And that underlines why I find leisure- vehicle travel so appealing — you can’t beat the ever-changing views from through the windows.
And with two sub-zero tests under our belts, we know this type of holiday would fit with any plans you might have — regardless of the time of year.
GO: Italy by van
GETTING/STAYING THERE: The Caravan and Motorhome Club provides members with booking services for sites in the UK and overseas and special rates on ferries.
See caravanclub.co.uk.