There are two ways to do ski season like a baller: Sell your soul on Wall Street and stay at a five-star slopeside hotel for one weekend a winter, or roll up in your kitted-out van and poach the five-star hot tub every weekend, all winter long. I think you can guess which way we Dyrtbags lean…
Some of the best resorts in skidom welcome RVs and vans, and with a little beta from us you’ll be on the road to your best winter ever. Here’s a roundup of our five favorites, as well as some insider tips on how to do them right.
Mt. Bachelor, Ore.
Camping at the base of Mt. Bachelor, captured by Dyrt user Laura M.
Mt. Bachelor is a world-class resort with an old-school vibe, a place that consistently reaps 500 inches of annual snowfall and yet whose only “slopeside lodging” is 40 RV and camper sites in the parking lot. Bachelor skis like a giant natural terrain park—with scalloped plates, wavy lips, powdery cups, and big dunes—a surfer’s playground all year long. And, with a snowpack that allows it to stay open until the end of May, spring is its secret season, which also happens to be when outdoor living is most inviting. If you want a site with electrical hook-up, book online in advance for $65/night ($75/night on weekends and holidays) for spots in the West Village parking lot, in close proximity to the Mountain Gateway and Todd Lake buildings, where restrooms are available. Those who don’t need power still need a reservation, but if the spots fill up, parking may also be available at many nearby Sno-Parks for $5. If the soul of skiing is what you’re after, Mt. Bachelor is a must.
Grand Targhee, Wyo.
Skiing at Grand Targhee Ski Resort in Wyoming.
This place may get overshadowed by its famous sister, Jackson Hole, and that’s just fine by us. Because of its location, this little gem in Alta, Wyo., gets 500 annual inches of dry Wyoming powder dumped on it from westbound storms that get snagged by the Tetons, while Jackson, just over the pass, gets the dregs and the crowds. Targhee also welcomes vans and RVs in Lot 2 (though there are no power or waste hookups), which is an easy walk to the base and all its amenities. Five people and one vehicle can camp up to seven days for $40 per night, with a pool, fitness center, and shower add-on for an extra $15 per day. Want a big campfire for your après party? Rent a propane-fueled portable one for $30. Rally your crew, reserve a spot now, and head to the Tetons for the ski trip of you’ll never forget.
Whitewater Mountain Resort, B.C.
Though Whitewater Mountain Resort is smack dab along the famed Powder Highway in British Columba and only 20 minutes from Nelson, the wolves howling at night will outnumber the skiers you’ll see on any given day. It’s remote and peaceful, and its slow lifts and lack of cell service and Wi-Fi are a point of pride. (When you’re still getting face shots three days after a storm, you’ll understand why.) The resort has space for 10 self-contained units for up to 14 consecutive nights, and six of the sites have power hookups (there are no waste or water hookups). Campers can walk just steps to the Hummingbird Lodge for heated washrooms and showers, as well as an indoor dishwashing area. The cost is $35 per night for an unserviced RV site, and $45 per night for a serviced RV site; reservations can be made through Campspot, by phone at (250) 352-6954, or via email at info@hummingbirdlodge.ca. If you go, be sure to have an après beer at base lodge bar, where the memorabilia alone will take you on a trip back in time.
Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Aerial View of popular Ski Slopes near Taos, New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley is so funky, quaint, and iconic, to call it a resort feels almost degrading. Located in a snowy little pocket outside the charmingly ramshackle town of Arroyo Secco, N.M., it’s a purist skier’s mountain if there ever was one. It’s unapologetically steep, with rocky chutes marked by signs that explain the obvious: Unmarked obstacles may exist. It’s no surprise, then, that a place like this also welcomes the vanlife crowd, with RV camping starting at $30 per night ($45 on weekends) in the Gila lot for up to seven nights. There are no hookups for power, water, or waste, but there are portable toilets and trash receptacles in the lot. Reserve your spot in advance to be sure you get one—they sell out fast. And when you’re there, be sure to have a stein at The Bavarian, a Euro-style lodge that somehow, in the middle of New Mexico, feels right at home.
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Mont.
Formerly known as Big Mountain, Whitefish Mountain Resort is known for its spooky snow ghosts and unbelievable views of Glacier National Park—if you’re there on a day where you can actually see, that is. But the benefit of the low visibility is, of course, loads of snow, with more than 300 inches of the stuff falling annually. It has a friendly Montana vibe, a relaxed atmosphere, great intermediate groomers, and plenty of steep glades for the expert set. The best part about skiing Whitefish in an RV or van is that you can explore spectacular Glacier National Park while you’re there—it’s open (and empty) all winter and is absolutely worth the effort. Camping is allowed for $25 per night at the Aspen Lot of the resort for a maximum of three days, with availability on a first-come, first-served basis (registration is at Lodging Check-In in the upper village). Alternatively, campers can camp at Whitefish RV Park for full hookups and easy access to the town, Glacier, and the entire Flathead Valley, and you can take the S.N.O.W. bus from the RV park to the mountain.
