Seasons5 April 20269 min read

Skiing by motorhome in the Alps — winter equipment, campsites and practical tips

Going skiing by motorhome in the Alps? Winter motorhome equipment, where to park at a resort, heating, snow chains and recommended ski resorts.

A motorhome for skiing — an underrated way to spend a winter holiday

Most people take a hotel or apartment for a ski trip. But experienced ski caravanners know something others don't: a motorhome, when properly equipped, is one of the most comfortable and affordable ways to spend a week in the Alps. Your skis are right next to the vehicle, in the morning you make your own coffee without queuing at the hotel buffet, and in the evening you return to a "home" environment.

Winter motorhome equipment — what is essential

Heating

**Truma Combi** (air and hot water, up to 6 kW) is the heart of winter caravanning. GetFar motorhomes are equipped with it. Safe, reliable, automatic — set it to a night temperature and wake up to warmth. It runs on LPG (propane), which is available throughout Austria.

Important note on LPG: **propane works even in frost** (down to -42 °C), unlike butane which stops vaporising at low temperatures. Make sure you have a propane cylinder (blue label, not green butane).

Tyres and chains

**Winter tyres** are mandatory in Austria from 1 November to 15 April when there is winter weather or snow. This applies to motorhomes too. In Germany and Slovenia the requirement is situational (in snowy conditions).

**Snow chains** are a lifesaver when winter tyres are not enough — on a steep climb to a resort, in fresh snow. We recommend always keeping them in a locker, even if you have winter tyres.

Water system insulation

At temperatures below 0 °C there is a risk of the motorhome's water pipes freezing. Practical steps:

Before going to sleep, partially open water taps (just a drip) — removes pressure

If you plan to stay parked more than 2 nights in frost — fully drain the tank and water system

Alternative: keep heating running at a minimum (5–8 °C) throughout the night

Battery in winter

Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity by up to 30%. GetFar motorhomes have a 95 Ah service battery. Starting the engine in the morning recharges it, but for long stays in one place without hookup we recommend:

Connect to the electric network (Stellplatz) whenever possible

Minimise 12V device consumption overnight

Where to park in the Alps

**Ski&Drive / Wohnmobilstellplatz** are dedicated parking spots at ski resorts. They have electric hookup, water, sometimes Wi-Fi. Examples:

**Zillertal:** Stellplatz Mayrhofen — right next to the gondola, 20–35 EUR/night

**Saalbach-Hinterglemm:** several options, some with a ski bus stop right at the car park

**Nassfeld (AT):** Stellplatz at the base station — excellent access, cheaper than Zillertal

Filtering Park4Night (category "hiver/winter") will show you all winter Stellplatz in the area.

Recommended resorts reachable from Bratislava

| Resort | Distance from BA | Note |

|---|---|---|

| Nassfeld (AT) | ~2.5 h | Cheapest ski passes, less known, excellent slopes |

| Jasna (SK) | ~2.5 h | Largest Slovak resort, ski bus from campsite |

| Saalbach-Hinterglemm (AT) | ~3 h | Large ski area, excellent Stellplatz |

| Zillertal Arena (AT) | ~3.5 h | Family resort, long season |

| Mayrhofen (AT) | ~3.5 h | Popular, great après-ski options |

Ski logistics

**Skis outside:** GetFar motorhomes do not have a standard ski rack — we recommend an external tow-ball-mounted carrier (bike rack with ski adapter) or storing skis inside (remove bindings, wrap them). A ski lock is essential.

**Ski boots:** Always bring them inside the motorhome overnight. Frozen boots in the morning are a disaster — at -10 °C outside the rubber hardens and your feet freeze. In the warmth of the motorhome they will be dry and warm in the morning.

Practical winter tips

**Engine warm-up in the morning:** In winter, start the engine at least 5 minutes before setting off — the battery in the cold has reduced capacity and the engine needs time

**Breakfast in the warmth:** Heating on full in the morning — switch it up 30 minutes before getting up. Waking up warm is bliss

**Windscreen defrost:** GetFar motorhomes have a heated windscreen — remember to switch it on before departure

**Parking check:** When parking on sloping terrain — always use wheel chocks

Want to experience a ski trip in a motorhome? [Book a GetFar motorhome](https://getfar.sk/en/rezervacia) and plan your winter Alpine adventure.