Winter camping: Tips for chilly days in the snow

Camping in summer? Anyone can do it! Get your feet in the snow first thing in the morning and be the first to hit the slopes – winter camping is the stuff adventures are made of.

Sleeping with the snowflakes: the best tips for terrific winter camping

You are curious, but still have reservations? Do we understand! So that your winter vacation in the caravan does not become the disaster, everything turns in this article around winter camping. We've also picked out a few nice places that are more than perfect for camping in the snow. So: Winter camping in Germany, here we come!

Winter camping equipment: well prepared to plunge into the snow adventure

Winter camping is fun – at least if you know what to look for. Cold and snow require a little more preparation than in summer. With this checklist your camping will be great even at low temperatures.

1. Preparing the vehicle for winter

Whether campervan or caravan: The requirements for winter camping are more stringent. Check your vehicle thoroughly before the winter vacation and make it winter fit. Fill up the windshield washer with antifreeze, check the engine oil for winter suitability and check if there is enough antifreeze in the engine coolant.

Also important: To ensure that you always have a clear view, you should check the functionality of your wiper blades and replace them if necessary.

2. Driving fun in the snow: Put on winter tires

Winter tires for towing vehicle and campervan are a must for winter camping. Caravans are not subject to this obligation in Germany, but winter tires stabilize your vehicle better than summer tires when braking and cornering. The tread depth of the tires should be four, better still five millimeters. And if you are going to the mountains: don't forget snow chains!

3. Don't forget: Battery, heating and gas are your best friends when winter camping

Battery: So that it does not come to unpleasant failures, you should let examine your vehicle batteries, because with low temperatures give up the spirit gladly sometimes. Don't forget starter cable and tow rope – just in case.

Heating: When camping in winter you need a heating system that works even when the vehicle is parked. To avoid frostbite, a test run of the heating and hot water system is essential. Important: Open cupboard doors and storage flaps during the heating phase to prevent condensation.

No gas, no winter camping fun: For camping in the snow you need much more gas for cooking and heating. Plan on about 3 kilograms per day. Important: The gas system is only operated with propane gas in winter – butane gas is no longer able to change from liquid to gaseous in frosty conditions. Some winter campsites offer gas supply on site. Just clarify this in advance.

4. Rubber seals: Still quite tight?

Leaky and porous rubber seals on doors and windows are really not nice. Grab a microfiber cloth, clean the seals from dirt and check them for their condition. If everything is in tip-top condition, you can rub the seals with a silicone-based care product to prevent them from freezing – clever, isn't it??

5. Camping in the snow: prepare the camper against the cold

To ensure that your heating system doesn't let you down when winter camping, there are a few things you should consider. First rule: Do not dry wet clothes in the vehicle. Most winter campsites offer an extra room for this purpose. In addition, you must always leave the window tilted when cooking, so that no condensation forms.

Against cold bridges and icy floors (if there is neither carpet nor underfloor heating in the camper), insulated mats and heated carpets are helpful. You can also seal off the windows with thermal mats to prevent heat loss.

To prevent the water tanks, water pipes and pump from freezing, you must make them frost-proof and install heating elements if necessary. If your vehicle is declared as winterproof, you probably won't have any problems with this. If tanks and water pipes are not insulated and heated, it is a matter of retrofitting or improvising – with heating foils and heating cables, for example.

Last but not least: Regularly remove snow and ice from the roof of the camper, so that the exhaust chimney is not blocked. In addition, you should ventilate several times a day – fresh air warms up faster.

6. Use shore power during your trip to the winter campsite

When camping in winter you should be regularly connected to the electricity – the power consumption is much higher in winter and the on-board battery provides less power in frosty temperatures.

Supply the camper with shore power, if the winter camping site allows it. When laying the cable, make sure that it does not freeze and does not get damaged when clearing snow.

7. What else you need for camping in winter

• In addition to the usual camping equipment, you will also need a shovel, broom and ladder for camping in winter. At most campsites, snow is cleared only on the main paths. You are responsible for the plot.
• An ice scraper with a telescopic pole is ideal for removing ice from large windows.
• A shoe tub keeps the camper clean.
• An awning insulates the vehicle additionally. Winter awnings are ideal – their roof tilts slightly forward to help snow slide off faster.

You have cozy blankets and warm clothes on board? Then the winter camping fun can begin!

How to find the right winter camping site

The location of the campsite is of course just as important for winter vacations in a caravan. Here you decide! Campsites in the Alpine regions are particularly popular. The Black Forest or the Harz Mountains are also ideal for camping in winter. Find out in advance which campsites are open in the winter season – not every site automatically offers winter camping. And reserve in time, because beautifully located campsites are booked up quickly.

You can not decide? No problem, we show you in which regions your winter vacation in a caravan will be a highlight. Winter campsite tips are of course also included. So: winter trip to the campsite in 3, 2, 1 ..

Harz: heaven on earth for winter sports enthusiasts

Germany's northernmost low mountain range is ideal for winter camping. A walk through the snow-covered town with its pretty half-timbered houses and the sight of the Brockenbahn gondola gondoling up to the Brocken through the white-dotted landscape – this is something you must experience! Besides, the Harz is a paradise for winter sports. Ski slopes, toboggan mountains, natural ice skating rinks – anything goes here. How about a winter hike? Our article about winter hiking will give you the necessary inspiration.

Winter campsite tip: hiking trails right by the campsite and a ski lift just four kilometers away? Let's go to the campsite in Waldwinkel.

Black Forest: Winter camping A la Christmas postcard

Snow-covered hills and forests, colorful half-timbered houses – we love the Black Forest! In winter it looks like a winter wonderland here – and the best way to explore it is on foot. In the Upper Black Forest more than 550 kilometers of winter hiking trails are waiting for you. Rattles off the highlights like Titisee or the Triberg waterfalls with the camper. Skiing, skating and tobogganing are of course no problem either. Convinced? Then off to the next campsite.

Winter camping tip: Camping Bankenhof is just a few meters from Lake Titisee. The place has its own cross-country ski trails and a toboggan slope – check it out.

Allgau: From the panorama road to the ski slope

Winter camping in southern Bavaria? Great idea! In the pretty mountain world goes a lot. Marvel at sparkling icicles and frozen waterfalls on a winter hike through the Breitachklamm gorge. You need that extra kick of winter magic? Then on to Neuschwanstein Castle. With a camper there are no limits for you. Visit the Eibsee in the surroundings of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and enjoy the wintry view from the Zugspitze – that will be super!

Winter camping tip: the perfect starting point for winter activities of all kinds? Available at Rubi-Camp on the outskirts of Oberstdorf!