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Advanture Magazine
W H E R E T O PA R K YOUR CHALET ON WHEELS THIS WINTER Words by Hannah James
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inter vanlife doesn’t have to be about the balmy Portuguese coast or hibernating in the moderate climate ‘safe zone’ of the southern med. If you’ve got a van and a penchant for the white stuff, you can join the army of snomads who are spending their winters sucking up the bluebird skies all over Europe. There are a massive number of opportunities open to you if
you’re looking for a park-up in t h e m o u n t a i n s i n s u m m e r, b u t these options start to get limited when you add in snow covered cols and the more conventional s k i t o u r i s m t r a f f i c . H o w e v e r, i f y o u ’ r e o p e n t o n e w h i l l s , t h e r e ’s something for every budget. Here are a few suggestions for first timers in the winterized tribe. The Safe Zone: Camping l’Oustalet, Châtel, Portes du Soleil €€€ W ith access to the entire PdS from Châtel, this campsite option is great if you’re looking to try your hand at this for the first t i m e . Yo u h a v e e l e c t r i c h o o k u p and everything you need on site in this traditional town and you don’t need to worry about battery l i f e a n d r u n n i n g o u t o f w a t e r. Freeride: Campaggio Alagna, Monterosa €€ If you’re a backcountry kid, y o u ’ l l h a v e h e a r d o f I t a l y ’s freeride paradise, but did you know that for around €20 a night, you can stay in this historic alpine mecca? A free ski bus takes you from this woodland campsite, 5 minutes up through town and drops you directly outside the gondola. Off Grid: Alpe d’Huez Aire € Anyone traveling by van in winter knows you need a plan B but you can rely on plan A at Alpe d’Huez. This is pretty much one of the best park ups in Europe, h e r e ’s w h y :
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Cheap at just €11/ night Enormous – you will always find a parking spot • Easy access – route from the valley is always clear and it has good access for bigger vehicles • Mixed terrain for all abilities T h e c a t c h ? Yo u ’ r e o f f g r i d a n d t h e r e ’s n o h o o k u p , b u t y o u h a v e everything else you need on site. P l u s , i f y o u h a v e s o l a r, t h i s s p o t gets a ton of sun. Our hidden gem: Guzet, Pyrenees - FREE Whilst the Pyrenees isn’t as snow sure as the Alps, when its g o o d h e r e , i t ’s r e a l l y g o o d . G u z e t offers nothing more than a place to park where nobody will bother you so head up with a full battery and all your supplies and you’ll have an awesome few days in this secret spot. The full Monty: Camping Arlberg Pettneu, St Anton €€€€ The Mandarin Oriental of the winter camping world – Camping Arlberg Pettneu in the Austrian Ty r o l i s t h e f l a s h i e s t c a m p s i t e you will find in the mountains – not only does it have a spa on site but each pitch has its own heated bathroom hut and plugi n g a s . I t ’s c h e a t i n g b u t i t ’s a l s o awesome. Wa n t t o k n o w i f y o u r v a n i s u p f o r t h e A d v a n t u r e ? w w w. w i n t e r i s e d . c o m i s a g r e a t resource with masses of infor mation about winter vanlife – from how to ready your van, to hundreds of places to camp.
