There is something purely magical about hitting the open road in winter.
The near-empty stretches pave the way for unexpected twists and turns and campervans are off-season and actually affordable. So we thought – Why not escape that traditional post-Christmas cabin fever, stretch the ol’ legs and take a cozy home on the road to traverse snow sprinkled mountains and a frozen lake or two?
This adventure was a huge learning curve and there’s definitely bits of advice I wish I’d had going into it (liiiiike what it means to have a winterized campervan). I was on the job for Motorhome Republic and thought I’d share the story and travel tips here too.
We picked up the camper just outside of Vancouver and lay down the plan: 7 nights in a loop which ran from the mountains to the sea. If you’re familiar with Canada you’ll know how insanely huge it is. Each province alone spans huge distances so this is always good to keep in mind when considering an undertaking in a camper. Do a portion at a time, do it well. Don’t think you’ll get to Banff in a weekend.
British Columbia itself is massive and is best approached with a little pre planning for the cooler months. Keep an eye on the weather conditions, checkout what RV sites operate year-round as if you’ve got a winterized camper like us it will not have running water. I didn’t mind using a toilet which was frozen solid or boiling snow to cook pasta in, but a good duvet and lots of extra clothing layers go a long way.
Central BC offers up active adventures just waiting to be had in the mountains from Kelowna to Whistler. You can ice skate, snowshoe, explore cross country on skis. Spend a day up any of the ski fields dusted with fresh powder and you will be hooked, warm your cockles in a hot thermal pool, keep your eyes peeled for the rare site of roadside wildlife.
Each undulating section of the alpine trip is a visual dream offering up a new colour palette between sky, land and lake.
One of the best things is you’ll enjoy the ease of driving distances with few to no other people on the road; no crowded vistas and often what feels like whole camp spots to yourself. Heading out towards the Pacific coast you can catch a glimpse of Vancouver Island just a short ferry ride away. As ferry vehicle check-in is an hour before the sailing you can use this downtime in the queue cook up a delicious brekkie. Maybe some french toast with maple bacon; the ultimate Canadian feast complete with a thermos of coffee for the ferry over. Having the ability to stock up your cupboards and fridge means mega savings on the road, you can just splash out for one or two special things as you go.
Standing on deck in the crisp sea air is refreshing and striking before jumping back in the motorhome and setting out across the island towards the small seaside town of Tofino. There’s a slightly warmer climate out here on the island, the road takes you through ancient rainforest, past reflective bodies of calm water, snow-dusted trees turned golden in the light of the magic hour.
Sure, the sun sets early, but this provides the perfect excuse to set up a spot for the night, cook a nice meal, have a wine and read a good book. Most RV parks open in winter months offer discount rates for full hook-up and you’ll be able to operate a toasty warm cabin on wheels.
The western island beaches laced with ribbons of ice are daring but great for surfing and worth checking out, even just for a stroll. Take a hike through Pacific Rim National Park and work up an appetite for a bite to eat at the little Tacofino food truck – trust me, it’s worth it. Heading back across the island, a night in Nanaimo sets you straight for a early morning ferry sailing back to the mainland. A oceanside camp spot here means fresh views when you peel back those curtains in the morning and a very short drive to the ferry terminal at Departure Bay.
Winding back up in Vancouver is not complete without a beer tasting at one of the many craft breweries and a game of hockey. Before you leave, park up on a hilly area to watch the glittery lights of the city waving against a snowy mountain backdrop. It is here that you can thank yourself for deciding to get out and explore the road in the winter.
This was our itinerary:
Day 1 Vancouver – Harrison Springs
Highlights: Soak at hot thermal pools. Ice skating. Hike round the lake. Recommended stay at Harrison Springs RV park
Day 2 Harrison Springs – Whistler (via Othello Tunnels)
Highlights: Epic vistas at Othello Tunnels. Possible wildlife sightings. Roadside diners. Recommended stay at Whistler RV park
Day 3 Whistler – Ski Day
Ski at Whistler Backcomb or Hike Garibaldi National Park.
Day 4 Whistler – Tofino (includes ferry crossing)
Highlights: More cool scenery. A ferry ride. Recommended stay at Crystal Cove Beach Resort
Day 5 Tofino – Surf Day
Surf one of the many beaches. Take a walk down Long Beach. Dine at famous Tacofino taco truck.
Day 6 Tofino – Nanaimo
Highlights: Hike in Pacific Rim National Park. Recommended stay at Living Forest Oceanside, Nanaimo
Day 7 Nanaimo – Vancouver
Highlights: Check out Gastown & Chinatown. Explore one of Vancouver’s many breweries.
No Comments