Skip to main content

Winter Rig Rentals for Socially Distanced Ski Trips

Still hoping to take a ski trip this winter? It’s possible, but it’ll be different from what you’re used to. Instead of flying somewhere, you’ll likely pick a spot that’s within driving distance of home. Rather than piling into a crowded ski lodge for hot chocolate or heading to a bar for nachos and shared pitchers of beer, we’ll all be turning our cars into mobile, socially distant mini-lodges. The truly dedicated might even rent a winter-ready camper vehicle that doubles as both a hotel on wheels and a midday lunchroom.

Whether you’re planning to sleep in the parking lot or are just looking for a car that’ll help you get to the mountain comfortably and safely every day, there are tons of options to choose from—trucks, vans, RVs. What’s right for you depends on how far you’re going, who you’re traveling with, and what your needs are. Here’s a primer.

Trucks

If you require four-wheel drive to get where you’re going, and don’t care about deluxe sleeping arrangements, take a truck. They’re easy for most people to drive, compared with, say, a 30-foot-long RV. The downside: there’s not a ton of living space. Even the most luxurious camper-top setups tend to be minimalist in terms of sleeping amenities. Most will include a basic kitchen and a bed or two but often won’t have a toilet or an indoor shower. If those items are critical for you, consider a van or an RV instead.

In Denver, Titus Adventure Company rents out a fleet of four-wheel-drive Toyota Tacomas (from $145) with snow tires, caps, and rooftop tents. An ice scraper, a snow shovel, and a ski rack come with the car. New this year is the Mobile Ski Lodge package (included in the price of the vehicle), stocked with camp chairs, a propane fire pit, Yeti cooler, and stove, so you can set up for après in the parking lot.

In Jackson, Wyoming, Teton Backcountry Rentals rents four-wheel-drive GMC Sierras and Chevy Silverados (from $239) that can sleep up to two or four people in a full cab-over pop-up camper, with an interior kitchen and bed. You can add on winter gear rentals, like an avalanche safety kit (from $38), splitboards (from $60), or touring skis (from $40). Or check out Explore Rentals, in Bozeman, Montana, which has Toyota Tacomas and Chevy Silverados (from $108) outfitted with camper tops and optional rental items, including camp tables (from $3), coolers (from $2), cookstoves (from $6), and Patagonia outerwear (from $10). 

Vans

Vans are best suited for those who don’t mind sacrificing a bit of driving capability for more creature comforts. You’ll have some room to move around and store your gear, as well as insulation to help you sleep comfortably in most temperatures. Plus they’re sleek—you can be part of the #vanlife culture, if just for a weekend. Still, space is limited. While some vans are designed with sleeping arrangements for up to four people, most are ideal for two. And not all such vehicles are ready for snowy passes and subzero nights. If you’re renting a van, make sure it has all-wheel or four-wheel drive, insulated walls, snow tires, and a heater that isn’t just the engine. 

A good place to start is Outdoorsy, a peer-to-peer site that lists vans (prices vary widely) equipped with ski racks and diesel heaters and has inventory everywhere from Vermont to Utah. In Seattle, Cascade Adventure Vans offers converted Sprinter vans (from $205) with adjustable double beds that sleep up to four and roof racks to store overflow gear. On the East Coast, Vermont Adventure Vans rents an array of four-wheel-drive vans (from $250) with insulated walls and a 300-watt solar system to charge things like your interior lights and refrigerator. 

The Eurovans from Denver-based Rocky Mountain Campervans (from $165) aren’t four-wheel drive, but they do come with studded snow tires in the winter. The company also offers half-day rentals if you just want to go out for the afternoon. Roam America, out of Portland, Oregon, has four-wheel-drive Ford Econolines (from $228) with a pop top to sleep in. Perks include trip-planning services, coffee supplies, camp chairs, lanterns, and a deck of cards for no additional price. 

Wandervans rents vans in a range of sizes (from $99), all equipped with snow tires and chains, from Salt Lake City; Boise, Idaho; Portland, Oregon; or Spokane, Washington. The interior is spartan, with just a sink and a bed, but you can add on a cook stove (from $37), a propane heater (from $34), or a portable toilet (from $38). 

RVs

If you’re traveling with kids or more than two people, or if you’re spending an extended amount of time on the road, an RV may be your ideal match, since these big rigs offer the most room to spread out. They’re also some of the only vehicles that definitely include an indoor shower and a toilet. But remember: pipes can freeze in the winter, so make sure your heating and water systems are prepared for low temperatures (ask the company you’re renting from) or opt to run them dry.

You should also be comfortable driving a hefty RV, especially in snowy conditions, and plan to scope out a place to park a rig of this size. In particular, look for a site to plug in (or bring additional power sources, like a generator). Do your research on campgrounds or RV parks that are open year-round near where you’re headed. Again, the rental company or individual owners should be good resources.

Outdoorsy and RVshare are your best bets for peer-to-peer RV rentals, with pick-up locations across the U.S., and Cruise America rents RVs from 126 rental dealers across the country. If you’re headed to ski-area RV lots in the Pacific Northwest, NW Adventure Rentals has winter-ready rigs from Seattle and Portland.

Other Things to Know

Again, make sure the vehicle you’re choosing is ready for snow and winter conditions. Does it have all-wheel or four-wheel drive or come with chains or snow tires? Is it equipped with a ski rack, a roof box, or room to stash your gear inside? Does it offer essentials like proper insulation, a window scraper, and a shovel? (A carbon-monoxide detector is good to have for safety as well.) If you’re not comfortable driving a big vehicle through inclement weather or over mountain passes, there are campers that can be delivered to a campground or RV lot directly. (Outdoorsy is one company that offers this service.) 

If you’ll be winter-camping overnight in the vehicle, do some research on where you’re allowed to park. Some ski resorts permit overnight RV camping, or you can find private, year-round RV resorts in close proximity to the ski hill you’re headed to. And before you go, read up on what the mountain of your choosing is doing in terms of its COVID precautions and if advance reservations are required.


by Megan Michelson via Outside Magazine: All

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Frontier Couple Who Chose Death Over Life Apart

Eric Bealer arrived in Sitka for the last time in a boat weighed down with his art.  It was late March 2018. Bealer, an Alaskan artist who specialized in intricately detailed wood engravings , had just traveled for two days from his homestead on Lisianski Inlet, through the rough winter waters off the west­ern edges of Chichagof and Baranof Islands, to the relative shelter of Sitka Sound. His skiff, built by hand using materials harvested and salvaged from Alaska’s coast, was jam-packed with his work: old prints, new prints, even the ink-stained, delicately carved wooden blocks used to make the prints themselves. There was so much art filling the little boat that, during his overnight layover en route to Sitka, Bealer had no room to lie down. He slept onshore, on the ground. Eugene Solovyov met him on the dock in Sitka’s Crescent Harbor. Solovyov, owner of the Sitka Rose Gallery, had known Bealer for more than two decades, ever since the artist walked in one day in the mid-199...
Post a Comment
Read more

Long-Term Review: La Sportiva Bushido II

The La Sportiva Bushido II ($130, 10.5 ounces) is designed as an all-mountain trail-running shoe. It may perform well in that application, but I bought a pair earlier this summer to use for hiking in Alaska’s Brooks Range and on the Yosemite High Route in early-season conditions. Over a five-week period, I put 315 demanding miles on the Bushido II, using it to scramble across granite slabs, hold my edge on steep tundra slopes, scurry over talus and through scree, kick steps into the   snow, and push through thick willows, dwarf birches, and alders. For many of those miles, the shoes were soaking wet, due to countless fords, waterlogged ground, and melting snow. How did the second-generation Bushido perform? And how does it compare to the original Bushido and to other popular backpacking shoes? The original Bushido (see  my long-term review ) was a winner for La Sportiva. It was the bestselling women’s trail-running shoe at REI and an employee favorite. No...
Post a Comment
Read more

6 Reasons Why Denver is the Best Basecamp for Outdoor Adventure

Few cities offer the same proximity to both outdoor adventures and vibrant urban experiences as Denver. Within a short drive of the city center, you can find four seasons’ worth of activities, including world-class climbing routes, fly-fishing oases, snowy slopes, and plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and trail running. And in town, you’ll find arts, culture, and dining experiences fit for any occasion. Staying at one of the many luxurious and unique hotels means you’ll wake up ready to seize the day on the trails or in the mountains. Plus, Denver famously has 300 days of sunshine, so you can easily ski and SUP in the same weekend—if not the same day. On a well-earned rest day, you’ll want to wander around town by foot, bike, light rail, or pedicab to explore the ever-changing art scene or book yourself an experience at any of the unique wellness spas and fitness studios to relax and restore your body.  Here’s just a small taste of what you can do in a week or long weekend wi...
Post a Comment
Read more