Interview with Luis and Mélissa: Skiing in a Motorhome

Embarking on a winter adventure in a motorhome to enjoy the mountains is a unique experience that attracts an increasing number of travellers. But between meticulous preparation and spontaneity, everyone approaches this type of trip differently. Luis and Mélissa, both motorhome enthusiasts, share their personal experiences of snowy getaways.

Luis tackles each trip with careful organisation to optimise his time on and off the slopes, while Mélissa takes a more spontaneous and simple approach. Both offer practical advice, anecdotes, and handy tips for anyone considering a motorhome trip to snowy destinations. Their conversation, which sometimes highlights their contrasting perspectives, illustrates the variety of ways to combine freedom and comfort in such a journey.

So, is it better to plan everything or follow your instincts? What are the must-haves for this kind of adventure? And most importantly, what are the advantages of travelling this way? Dive into this interview to explore the enriching and complementary viewpoints of these two passionate motorhome travellers.

🔵 Luis: It took about 1–2 weeks to check the snow conditions at different resorts and carefully choose which ones to visit.

🟠 Mélissa: My partner and I often travel on a whim. We hadn’t planned to go skiing, but we ended up joining my family, who were staying in an Airbnb in the Vosges. Taking our converted van to meet them was incredibly simple!

🔵 Luis: We stayed at a campsite in Luz-Saint-Sauveur (Hautes Pyrénées) for 4 nights and 5 days, allowing us to ski at three different resorts.

🟠 Mélissa: We spent a weekend from Friday evening to Sunday evening skiing in La Bresse in the Vosges. As we live close to the Vosges in Lorraine, we focused on skiing for the weekend without visiting other places. We already know the local attractions, like the Hautes Vosges Confectionery, the Eagle Sanctuary, and the Monkey Mountain.

🔵 Luis: The three most essential factors are:

● Heating – Make sure the motorhome is properly heated, with enough gas or fuel to avoid running out of heating during the night.

● Insulation – It’s crucial to retain heat and prevent the heater from running constantly, avoiding excessive gas or fuel consumption.

● Driving equipment – Snow tyres and chains are a must to avoid getting stuck during heavy snowfall. Other essentials include a shovel and brush to clear snow off the motorhome if needed.

🟠 Mélissa: You need to plan for the right vehicle equipment, such as snow tyres (a basic necessity) and possibly chains if the weather forecast predicts heavy snow. Tools for de-icing your vehicle, like a snow brush, windscreen scraper, and de-icer spray, are also essential. Ideally, you’d have a roof cover or even full vehicle insulation to protect the motorhome while you’re on the slopes! Heating is also vital to dry your gear overnight. We even used small USB heaters for our bed, which were fantastic. However, we didn’t have hot water for showers. For a weekend, it was manageable, but for a longer trip, we’d rent a better-equipped van.

🔵 Luis: This trip was mostly about skiing, but I usually enjoy snowshoe hikes and thermal spa sessions too.

🟠 Mélissa: Skiing! We also went sledging with the kids.

🔵 Luis: We stayed for five days at a campsite in the valley and drove to a different ski resort every day.

🟠 Mélissa: We spent the night in a car park at the base of the slopes. It was fantastic to park in such a quiet spot when the slopes were closed. At night, the mist created a magical atmosphere! Parking discreetly was easy because our converted van looks like a standard work van.

🔵 Luis: No.

🟠 Mélissa: Our van was relatively well-prepared, as we lived in it full-time, but we couldn’t have stayed for more than a weekend in winter. The cold quickly creeps in, probably due to poor insulation.

🔵 Luis: The ability to move from one resort to another without staying in just one place. The motorhome allowed us to explore multiple resorts and even sleep at the foot of the slopes when needed. Also, the spaciousness of the vehicle made it easier to store all our ski gear (skis, boots, poles, helmets, etc.), especially when travelling as a group.

🟠 Mélissa: The convenience of having everything at hand! My family loved having a private space to change the kids’ clothes and store all their gear during the day.

🔵 Luis: Same as my previous answer.

🟠 Mélissa: The main benefit is cost. Our weekend only cost us the price of ski rentals and lift passes. Being so close to nature was also incredible. We were just a few metres from the snow for over 48 hours!

🔵 Luis: To enjoy a stress-free ski trip, good preparation is essential. Here are some tips:

● Know your itinerary by checking the weather conditions several days in advance and monitoring them throughout your trip.

● Check snow and road conditions to avoid having to turn back due to closed routes.

● Prepare your motorhome with all the essentials for a snowy trip, like winter tyres or snow chains, a shovel, a snow brush, and plenty of gas to prevent running out in the middle of the night.

🟠 Mélissa: Honestly, don’t overthink it before setting off. If you don’t have kids, just go and enjoy the adventure without fear!

Travelling to the mountains in a motorhome offers unparalleled freedom but requires proper preparation. As Luis and Mélissa demonstrated, each person approaches this type of trip differently. Having rented a motorhome, Luis highlights the importance of a well-thought-out plan: knowing the routes, checking weather conditions, and ensuring the vehicle is fully equipped are key to avoiding surprises and maximising the experience. When renting, preparation is even more crucial to familiarise yourself with the vehicle and its specifics before departure.

Mélissa, on the other hand, shows that owning your own motorhome allows for a more spontaneous approach, though safety remains paramount. With the right gear and a touch of flexibility, impromptu getaways can create unforgettable moments, even during a short weekend.

Whether you prefer meticulous planning or spur-of-the-moment adventures, skiing in a motorhome is a unique way to enjoy nature, convenience, and total freedom. So, are you ready to give it a go? Rent or prepare your motorhome, equip it wisely, and embrace extraordinary adventures on snowy roads with Goboony!