Swiss alps for Christmas (1 Viewer)

Chris & Vickie

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Hi, trying to organise a trip for the family to the Swiss alps for a white Christmas, are there any good websites to find good clear routes and free sites to stay here and there like the aires?

We're fairly new and any help would be appreciated, thank you in advance.
 

jonandshell

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We are off to the French Alps for our white christmas. We'll be off again in February too!
Will it be your first time using the MH for a ski trip?
 
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Chris & Vickie

Chris & Vickie

Free Member
Sep 10, 2014
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Newbie 1 year
Our first winter trip, not necessarily a ski trip, just fun in the snow for the kids and an escape from EnglandEngland

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jonandshell

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There are a few resources on the web for motorhome use in winter in the Alps.

.

http://panagah.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/skiing-again.html

Broken Link Removed

The second link is our very own Haggernap's blog. Its their fault we started going!

Skiing or not, there are quite a few considerations that need your attention before setting out.

For a start, I am pretty sure you will need a set of winter tyres to be legal in Switzerland and Germany. You will also need snow chains. If you visit France instead, you only need the chains.
You need to have a reasonably well winterised van to survive the low temperatures with a functioning water system.
You need to consider how you will manage your power requirements for extended off grid periods. Blown air heating can be hard on your leisure battery and you will need more than your conventional split charge system to keep them topped up. Solar is very ineffective due to the limited daylight hours, low sun and snow on the roof! You need to have the warm air circulation provided by your heater, without it your water system will freeze irrespective of where your tanks are located.
You should also consider you will be swapping 13 kg propane bottles every 2-4 days, depending on the ambient temperatures. Turning off the heating is not an option, your pipes will freeze!

There's lots more that needs mentioning, but there is a lot of knowledge on this forum, so don't worry!

The main thing is to get your advice from here and not your local motorhome dealer. They won't have a clue about the conditions you will encounter. Two years ago, we met a couple in an Ace motorhome, supposedly prepared by their local dealer. They had 3 batteries, water tank heaters and a 2kw kippor generator. None of this could make up for the fact the van was not designed for winter use. After 2 days, the generator was nearly on 24/7 to keep up with their power useage. After 3 days, that had bailed out and booked into a hotel.

Your van needs to be up to the job to stop your family adventure becoming a family disaster!

Good luck!
 

jonandshell

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Dec 12, 2010
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Oh BTW, I see you are read only funster.

It is well worth the tenner once a year to get involved with the forum and rallies!

There are a few of us on here with a long way to go to retirement!!! Even those that are retired don't act their age!

A friendlier, happier club you will never find!
 

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