If you’re a snow sports enthusiast, you know there’s nothing like zipping down the hill on your skis or snowboard just after (or during!) a fresh snowfall. There are so many perks to skiing and snowboarding – you get plenty of exercise, breathtaking mountain views, and a feeling of exhilaration that comes from that unique combination of adrenaline and cold air that nothing else has.
You also know how nice it is to come home to your own space afterward.
After a long day on the slopes, returning to your RV or motorhome to slip into comfy clothes and fuzzy socks and grab yourself a cup of hot cocoa while gazing at the snowy landscape outside is pure bliss!
The Best Skiing And Snowboarding RV Trips
We’ve rounded up some of the best ski and snowboard RV trips across the U.S. Of course, driving an RV in snowy, winter weather requires some practice and you may find this article helpful. But with a little care and forethought, you can set up your home away from home in the midst of a winter wonderland and enjoy all the area has to offer.
West Coast RV Ski and Snowboard Trips
1.) Mammoth Mountain, California
This California ski resort is open six months of the year – you can usually get in one last run around the 4th of July. The resort offers lessons if you’re going with a new skier, and also has rentals and season passes. You can also check out the deals and packages on their website if you want to bundle some costs together. If you’re visiting with someone who doesn’t want to spend the day snowboarding or skiing, the resort also offers gondola rides to the top of the mountain, snowmobile rides, tubing, cross-country skiing, and more. The mountain has three different snow parks and more than 150 runs for every level of skier.
Mammoth is also well-suited for RVers and has its own RV park with full and partial hookups. The park is open 365 days a year, so it’s a great option for winter skiers. You could also go in warmer weather, and spend one day hiking or at the lake and the next swishing down the mountain!
You can find RV rentals near Mammoth Mountain here.
2.) Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Lake Tahoe has several ski and snowboard resorts that circle the lake or are a short drive away. The most convenient ski experience is to camp at a South Lake Tahoe campground like Tahoe Valley and ski at Heavenly Mountain Resort, just a five-minute drive away. There’s even a ski shuttle that will take you to the resort or other nearby stops.
Heavenly is a premier ski resort, with lessons and runs for all levels, along with gondola rides and other winter sports. However, there are many Tahoe ski resorts to try, including Squaw Valley and North Star for world-class skiing and snowboarding, or Kirkwood and Homewood for smaller resorts that may be easier to manage with a young family. You may even want to spend several days and try out a different resort each day.
Lake Tahoe also has plenty of other activities including snowmobiling, dog sledding, tubing, skating, and more. Find RV rentals for your Lake Tahoe stay here.
3.) Vail Mountain, Colorado
Vail is a beautiful town to visit year-round, but it really comes alive during ski season. The town is about a two-hour drive from Denver right off I-70, which makes the drive fairly straightforward without any winding roads to navigate in winter. Since a lot of the town was built with skiing in mind, it’s easy to navigate to the resort, and food and other winter activities are available within walking distance of ski lifts. In fact, it’s easier to park your car and leave it parked while you navigate the resort on foot.
There are also affordable campgrounds nearby, including Aunt Sara’s River Dance RV Resort and Campground. If you want to rent and RV near Vail for your trip, you can find plenty here.
4.) Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado
Breckenridge has breathtaking mountain views, runs for all levels, lessons for both beginners and those just wanting to improve an already strong ski game, and more. If you’re traveling with people who don’t want to ski, there is snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, shopping, an alpine roller coaster, and a spa. The quaint-looking town of Breckenridge is also a fun place to wander and to learn about the cowboys and miscreants who once-inhabited this sleepy-looking village.
The Tiger Run Resort is right in Breckenridge and is a luxury, year-round RV campground. It has amazing views of the mountains, an indoor pool, two indoor spas, a common campfire pit, a workout room, and is just minutes from the ski resort. To find the perfect RV for your Breckenridge ski vacation, check here.
East Coast Ski and Snowboard Trips
5.) Sugarbush Ski Resort, Vermont
Sugarbush is one of the largest ski resorts in Vermont, with runs for everyone, lessons, and Cabin Cat Adventures where you and a group can rent a Snow Cat for more exclusive skiing for a day. Sugarbush also has warming huts for rent, so you can reserve your own personal cabin for the day to relax, warm up, and eat when you’re not on the slopes.
Green Mountain Family Campground is a great place to make your home base on your winter adventures. Located in the adorable town of Bristol on the edge of the forest, campers can snowshoe and backcountry ski right from the campground. You can also go ice fishing on nearby Lake Champlain. To find RVs to rent near Sugarbush Vermont, check out our list here.
6.) Whiteface Ski Resort, New York
There’s a reason two winter Olympics were held in Lake Placid – it’s a great place for winter sports! Whiteface has world-class skiing (obviously), as well as lessons for kids and adults. If your child is too young for skis just yet, there is also a nursery for children under six, where they can play and do activities while their parents ski (the nursery will not be open for the 2020-2021 season, due to COVID concerns).
You can also visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum or take an Olympic History tour of the area. You can even book the Bobsled Experience and speed down the hill like an Olympian.
Camp at the Lake Placid/Whiteface Mountain KOA and enjoy all the perks of a KOA including full hookups, WiFi, and a snack bar. To rent an RV in Lake Placid, check out our listings here.
7.) Sunday River Resort, Maine
This ski resort has 135 trails and 18 ski lifts, and you can even go night skiing for a special experience. If the people you’re with aren’t interested in skiing, they can try out snow bikes, go tubing, or even go bowling or relax at the resort spa. For uniquely Maine activity, visit the Sugaring House to see how maple syrup is made and get a free candy sample at the end of your tour.
Stony Brook Recreation and Camping is just a ten minute drive from Sunday River and is a year-round campground. In winter, try cross-country skiing or explore the backcountry nearby. To find an RV to rent near the Sunday River Resort, check here.
RV traveling in winter requires some special planning, but the views and the experience of relaxing in your warm camper while snow falls outside are well worth the trouble!
