We just got back from our third ski weekend this year. Isn't it amazing how you can LEARN how to camp? We are so much better at it than we were just two trips ago.
First of all, we have learned that there are completely different styles of camping - even with the same trailer. Last winter we discovered the difference between camping and a road trip. This winter we've learned that winter ski camping is something completely different as well.
On our first attempt, I setup the 10x10 canopy over the galley with the portable bathroom nearby. The wind destroyed the popup tent, and blew away the bathroom tent - leaving the toilet.
Next trip I had a stronger and heavier popup tent complete with side walls,weights and an RV mat for the floor. We used our Mr. Buddy heater to keep the 'room' warm for cooking, meals and getting dressed in snow gear. I also put the porta-potty in one corner. I purposely parked between two huge RVs to block the wind, but on the third morning one terrific gust blew the whole setup over. At least this time nothing was broken.
This last trip we took NO camping gear. We never opened the galley. We didn't get dressed in the cabin. We didn't watch TV or stay up reading at night. We used the trailer for one thing - sleeping. In the mornings, we would hop into the car, and drive up to the lodge to get dressed and eat breakfast. In the evenings we would eat dinner at the lodge, read for a while, and then drive down to the trailer when we were ready for bed. We learned to take advantage of the warm facilities provided by the ski resort, buy warm meals at the lodge (supplemented by cold beer 'smuggled' in by thermos), and to turn on the furnace in the trailer 15 minutes before we went to bed.
It was our coldest trip yet - 5 degrees at night. The condensation was frozen to the trailer on the inside (the same as last week), and the heater had to actually be clicked off or else it would have run all night without hitting the mimimum temperature on the thermostat. I'd be interested to know how much Bear cracks his windows on very cold nights, because even a 1/4" seems to let in a LOT of very cold air.
One other note - some of the guys in the big RVs don't seem to think that it is possible that anyone could live in something so small. We came back to our trailer one night to find a big RV had pulled in right next to us - so close that I couldn't open my door (good thing we have two).
Worse still, his exhaust (generator or furnace?) was pointed directly at us.
Once he turned that thing on in the morning, we had no choice but to get up early.
I know some people can't see the appeal of camping in the snow. I don't particularly enjoy being cold, but I do like being able to ski for a three day weekend with my family while paying $0 for lodging! That's appealing. ...and the skiing is fun too...
Kate & Dad at the top with Mt. Rainier in the background.
First of all, we have learned that there are completely different styles of camping - even with the same trailer. Last winter we discovered the difference between camping and a road trip. This winter we've learned that winter ski camping is something completely different as well.
On our first attempt, I setup the 10x10 canopy over the galley with the portable bathroom nearby. The wind destroyed the popup tent, and blew away the bathroom tent - leaving the toilet.
Next trip I had a stronger and heavier popup tent complete with side walls,weights and an RV mat for the floor. We used our Mr. Buddy heater to keep the 'room' warm for cooking, meals and getting dressed in snow gear. I also put the porta-potty in one corner. I purposely parked between two huge RVs to block the wind, but on the third morning one terrific gust blew the whole setup over. At least this time nothing was broken.
This last trip we took NO camping gear. We never opened the galley. We didn't get dressed in the cabin. We didn't watch TV or stay up reading at night. We used the trailer for one thing - sleeping. In the mornings, we would hop into the car, and drive up to the lodge to get dressed and eat breakfast. In the evenings we would eat dinner at the lodge, read for a while, and then drive down to the trailer when we were ready for bed. We learned to take advantage of the warm facilities provided by the ski resort, buy warm meals at the lodge (supplemented by cold beer 'smuggled' in by thermos), and to turn on the furnace in the trailer 15 minutes before we went to bed.
It was our coldest trip yet - 5 degrees at night. The condensation was frozen to the trailer on the inside (the same as last week), and the heater had to actually be clicked off or else it would have run all night without hitting the mimimum temperature on the thermostat. I'd be interested to know how much Bear cracks his windows on very cold nights, because even a 1/4" seems to let in a LOT of very cold air.
One other note - some of the guys in the big RVs don't seem to think that it is possible that anyone could live in something so small. We came back to our trailer one night to find a big RV had pulled in right next to us - so close that I couldn't open my door (good thing we have two).
Worse still, his exhaust (generator or furnace?) was pointed directly at us.
Once he turned that thing on in the morning, we had no choice but to get up early.
I know some people can't see the appeal of camping in the snow. I don't particularly enjoy being cold, but I do like being able to ski for a three day weekend with my family while paying $0 for lodging! That's appealing.
...and the skiing is fun too...
Kate & Dad at the top with Mt. Rainier in the background.
