Add the Thrill of Winter to RVing

Avoid the winter blues and find new seasonal experiences in the heart of BC.

by

Words by Steve Fennell

RVing during the winter has long been a pastime well before border closures and social restrictions due to COVID-19. In the past and present, many campgrounds in southern BC are open through the colder months, offering daily and seasonal rates from as early as October to April. This means you can have a space for your trailer or motorhome for long-term stays, on the weekends, or whenever the mood strikes to enjoy the outdoors. 

Winter RVing provides the opportunity to spend time snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country or alpine skiing. You may even want to round out your trip by checking out some of the local BC culture in the nearby rural communities from the park. Consider the fact that many campgrounds have operating water and power with maintained grounds, and winter RVing isn’t as inconvenient as you may think. 

Proper planning is important. If you’re prepared with the right gear, RV systems, and clothing, you can easily extend your time on the road. Finding an accommodating site is easy as well and a number of the campgrounds listed here may already meet all your needs for optimal wintertime experiences. 

Wood Lake RV Park and Marina

Lake Country

Family-owned and operated, Wood Lake RV Park and Marina is located between Kelowna and Vernon on 5 ha (12 ac) of waterfront property in Lake Country. Both cities - and even rural communities - are easily accessible and provide great day trips with wineries, art galleries, local shops, restaurants and more. With its slogan stating, ‘Where Memories are Made,’ the park is accommodating all year where you can truly find new outdoor adventures.  

Winter activities abound here. Hiking trails adjacent to the park are ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing while hard-water fishing on Wood and Kalamalka lakes is also popular. More activities like downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and winter tubing are at Big White and Silver Star ski resorts. Both are approximately an hour away. 

Close to Silverstar is the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. It has a combined network of groomed and track-set trails totalling 105 km (65 mi), making it home to the largest network of cross-country ski trails in Canada. A day lodge, restrooms, and equipment rentals are also onsite.

While the park has 176 sites available during the peak RV season, 25 are available through the winter from October to April. In addition to water and 50- and 30-amp power, you’ll appreciate access to the parkwide WiFi, 24/7 laundry facilities and the off-leash dog park. Come late spring and summer, Wood Lake RV Park and Marina is fully open with access to its 69-slip marina, boat launch, clubhouse, rentals, sand beach and picnic areas.   

For more information visit www.woodlakerv.com

Holiday Park RV & Condo Resort

Lake Country

An excellent option to go winter RVing between Kelowna and Vernon is Holiday Park RV & Condo Resort. Located on Ellison Lake in Winfield, this is a resort community that’s open all year and has 570 sites with 117 condos. Although most are privately owned and permanently occupied, daily and seasonal sites are available to experience winters in Lake Country. 

All sites have an area of up to an impressive 186 sq m (2,000 sq ft) with 50-amp power, level cement pads, and picnic tables. Water, sewer, hydro and cable are included. 

Also among its expansive grounds are walking trails, three recreation centres, an indoor pool, a sauna, hot tub, fitness centre, and laundry facilities. You’ll also appreciate the café and hair salon. When it comes to entertainment and activities, the resort has a full calendar of social events such as card clubs, bingo, music nights, and fitness classes.

When you want to explore the outdoors, trails are nearby to go snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Alpine skiing and more can be enjoyed at Silver Star and Big White ski resorts while the Graystokes Plateau in Graystrokes Provincial Park is popular for snowmobiling. Three chalets are located along the trails and are maintained by the Kelowna Snowmobile Club. 

Pet-friendly with a 24/7 security patrol, Holiday Park’s daily rate for a full-service back-in site is $64.00 from October 1 to April 30 and $87.00 from May 1 - September 30.

For more information and to make a reservation visit www.sweetlife.com

Christina Pines Campground

Christina Lake

Christina Pines Campground is along the scenic Crowsnest Highway (BC Hwy 3) near the communities of Grand Forks and Rossland in the West Kootenay Region. While activities abound in the summer, it’s also a haven of activity once the snow flies.

This is one of the newest four-season campgrounds after winterizing its facilities in recent years under new ownership. With winter monthly rates of $550 from October to April, Christina Pines is a preferred park for long-term stays but nightly rates are available.  

Fees include 30- and 50-amp power, sewer and WiFi but all RVs must be skirted and self-contained since washroom facilities are not open through the winter. Once settled, however, the campground serves as a gateway to a myriad of activities.   

The Phoenix Ski Area and Red Mountain Resort are approximately one-hour away. Although cross-country skiing is also popular at the Phoenix Ski Area, more options can be found at Paulson Cross Country Ski Trails. There are 50 km (30 mi) of packed and tracked trails that are ideal for all skill levels. Additionally, snowmobiling is popular at the Paulson Summit, about 20 minutes from the park. 

Combined with fuel, groceries, restaurants, and services in Grand Forks as well as Rossland, it’s easy to have fun at the Christina Pines Campground throughout the winter. 

www.ChristinaPines.ca

Gallagher Lake RV Resort 

Oliver

Gallagher Lake RV Resort is also along the Crowsnest Highway in the Southern Okanagan, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) from the community of Oliver. 

A Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities RV Resort, Gallagher Lake offers full and partial sites for seasonal or daily winter stays. Fees include the usage of 30- and 50-amp power, water, and resort-wide WiFi. Propane exchange as well as laundry, shower and washroom facilities are additional conveniences. Cabins are even available that are perfect for families and couples with double beds, bunks, power and heat.  

While quiet and remote, outdoor recreation off-site includes snowshoeing at White Lake Grasslands Protected Area, which is 15 km (9 mi) from the resort. The White Lake Loop is another choice that leads through true BC backcountry. 

You may also want to explore the Okanagan River Channel that has an extensive 18 km (11 mi) trail that leads to Osoyoos. Access is at the Oliver Tourism Visitor Centre and the end of Park Hill Rd. If you prefer more action, hit the slopes at Baldy Mountain Resort or the groomed cross-country ski trails at the McKinney Nordic Ski Club just off McKinney Rd. 

To round out your winter RV trips here, Oliver - and the surrounding region - is touted as Canada’s Wine Capital. Many have winter hours and contact www.oliverosoyoos.com to sip the flavours of the region’s bounty. If you need essentials or feel like a night out, Oliver has a number of services such as groceries, fuel, unique stores, restaurants and pubs. 

www.parkbridge.com

https://www.parkbridge.com/gallagherlake

Other destinations like Peachland RV Park, Fort Steele Resort and RV Park, as well as the popular Fernie RV Resort are additional options to visit. All feature full services for comfortable winter stays and are close to numerous trails and attractions that this region of BC is known for this time of year.