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Ski and snowboarding

For ski chat, join the Mumsnet Ski forum. Check out our guide to the best resorts in Europe and our family ski holiday packing list.

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Original poster

Caravanning and Skiing?? Are we mad?

20 replies

Rivvy · 11/10/2009 16:21

Ok, money's a bit tight this year so we are looking at taking the caravan to a campsite in France.

We think we can so everything including passes and skis for just over £1000 (tesco vouchers for the tunnel) for 11 nights at the resort.

Has anyone ever done this, any tips or are we mad??

OP posts:

spookyrookie · 11/10/2009 16:23

I think you are stark raving bonkers very enterprising, good for you.

Won't it be cold in the caravan though ?

Original poster

Rivvy · 11/10/2009 16:24

We are thinking of taking an oil filled radiator and the caravan has good air blown heating and a gas heater so I hope not. Bit worried about the water freezing though?

OP posts:

serinBrightside · 11/10/2009 20:53

Won't it cost as much to tow it there (once you have paid all the tolls) as to fly? Peak Retreats apartments start at about £400 for 4 people including Eurostar and you will get there much quicker without van on back!

Sixer · 12/10/2009 01:07

Ok, in my experience (seasonal van dweller in the Alps BF DC) it depends on where the caravan is sited. very low with a good drive up, or high and near the slopes. Your biggest problem will be pipes freezing, so your whole water supply and your waste over night can and will freeze. So you might not have any running water. Heating... we were fortunate enough to have a wood burner in our camper, also a little electric blow heater for first thing in the morning, otherwise, it's a dive outta bed, stick gas kettle on, let boil, then leave burning to warm the van up. Next serious thing to think of is your car! Petrol freezes! so will diesel! If you have a diesel car, a cup full of petrol in with the diesel should help! Otherwise, make sure you are parked, caravan and car in full sun all day. Personally I wouldn't think it a good idea , not with DC. You'll all end up sleeping in what you wear during the day, and some. Ever slept with a beanie on before?

Original poster

Rivvy · 12/10/2009 13:08

sbs - Our fuel gets paid for by work so only got to find tolls.

Sixer - did you have a heater on all night? We were thinking of leaving a radiator on all night.

OP posts:

Ladyatron · 12/10/2009 13:14

don't forget snow chains for wheels. i think it is doable.

snorkie · 12/10/2009 13:48

My brother used to do this - in Germany rather than France, but they went regularly so it can't have been too awful.

QueensShilling · 12/10/2009 14:27

I think you're mad

happywomble · 12/10/2009 15:01

I'm afraid I think you're mad. You will be so cold in a caravan. How would you dry the clothes/boots each day?

Do you have anything you could sell on Ebay to raise a few 100 more. Then you could stay somewhere warm!

You can rent an appartment in some of the cheaper resorts for £200 on an off peak week - ski collection have some good appartments in lesser known resorts with cheap lift passes.

MrsBadger · 12/10/2009 15:27

you are mad, it will be freezing and nothing will dry

try a youth hostel or somewhere similar with dorm beds if you are really skint but still want to ski.

Original poster

Rivvy · 12/10/2009 16:08

Campsite has a heated boot room and a drying room for ski gear. Also got hanging in our toilet and it has hot air heating so figured we can dry stuff in there too!

Can you hire snow chains?

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 12/10/2009 16:13

yes but they are only about £30 so if you are planning on going more than once I'd buy

Cosette · 12/10/2009 16:15

When are you going and where (how high up?).

Hullygully · 12/10/2009 16:17

It'll be great - go for it! There are always loads of caravans and campers at ski resorts.

Original poster

Rivvy · 12/10/2009 16:17

le grand bornand - it's quite low -1000ft.

OP posts:

Cosette · 12/10/2009 16:30

Which month are you going? March and April would be fine I would think - but you're braver than me if you're thinking January or early Feb!

Cosette · 12/10/2009 16:34

We had temperatures of -20, during the day, at 1650ft in late January a few years ago, and I don't think it would have been a lot warmer down at 1000ft, but it was a particularly cold year, and whenever we've been since - March/April it's not been that cold.

WibblingDad · 13/10/2009 10:28

I'm sure there is a site in Grand Bournand where you can (or could) rent a mobile home for a pretty low cost - more space, better heating, no need to tow a caravan down etc. Might be worth investigating.

mumof2222222222222222boys · 16/10/2009 10:38

I think you are a bit mad. Possibly April might be ok - but then you are going to be very low (are there links up high?)

I feel the cold and am shivering thinking about it. Think of the cost of sitting in cafes drinking hot chocolate while trying to warm up. Ok so I am a wimp!

In Jan a couple of years ago, weather was lovely an sunny but very very cold. We were staying at 800m and it was -14 deg. In March this year it was about 10 - 20 deg - but you never can tell.

stringbean · 21/10/2009 21:53

Just want to point out that the campsites at Le Grand Bornand are at 1000 metres, not 1000 feet. There's a big difference in altitude between the two, and consequently a big difference in temperature. You may want to consider somewhere slightly lower, depending on time of year.

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