Wintercamping

Visitors can discover the most beautiful ski resorts in the Austrian and Swiss Alps while camping in winter, when the winter sun glistens on the snow and the fresh snow crunches underfoot. Germany also delights with ski resorts and snowshoe hikes, for example through the mystical Harz Mountains or the idyllic Black Forest. The right equipment and a warm heater make a winter holiday cosy and rustic - whether on the coast or in the mountains.

The top 10 winter campsites in Europe

• Camping Münstertal in Baden-Württemberg
• Alpencamping Nenzing in Vorarlberg
• Erlebnis Comfort Camping Aufenfeld in Tyrol
• Caravanpark Sexten in Trentino-South Tyrol
• Woferlgut sports camp in Salzburger Land
• Camping Residence Sägemühle in Trentino-South Tyrol
• Naturally bright in Tyrol
• Vidor Family & Wellness Resort in Trentino-South Tyrol
• Camping Hopfensee in Bavaria
• Schluga Camping Hermagor in Carinthia

Special features of winter camping

Many regions in Europe have catered for winter campers. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, the campsites are ideally equipped for this. In the Allgäu and Upper Bavaria there are attractive winter campsites with impressive ski areas. There are many cross-country ski trails and unique hiking paths in the beautiful natural surroundings of Oberstdorf. The mountain landscape ensures fun in the snow on intermediate and family-friendly ski slopes. In Austria, the winter campsites are located in Salzburger Land, Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Styria. Winter sports enthusiasts often head to Montafon - the place where Austria's first chairlift is still in operation today. The three areas of Silvretta Montafon, Golm and Gargellen are particularly popular with skiers and campers and are specially catered to the needs of winter sports enthusiasts. One of the first ski schools in Europe was founded in the birthplace of winter tourism, St. Moritz in the Engadin. In the cross-country skiing paradise in the Engadin Alps, 190 kilometres of groomed trails lure you into the snow. Ski slopes of all levels of difficulty are located at Corvatsch and Corviglia and lead to altitudes of well over 3,000 metres. Ski fans can look forward to a real winter paradise and relax after their descent with soothing wellness treatments or in the sauna.

Arrival

• Heat: Fan heater systems are more economical heat suppliers for winter camping. Some camper vans have diesel heating systems. Electrically operated heating mats can be placed under the table to keep your feet warm in winter.
• Luggage: The hand shovel and a hand brush should be ready to hand at the entrance door. An ice scraper with a suitable telescopic pole and a stepladder are also part of the winter equipment. The roof and the chimney pipe should be regularly cleared of snow.
• Winter tyres: The winter tyres should have a sufficiently deep tread. Snow chains also belong in your luggage. You should practise putting on the chains before setting off on your journey.
• Route planning: Before travelling, campers should study the route to avoid possible winter closures. For your own safety, you should observe the snow chain regulations of the respective country.

Destinations

In Switzerland, the Gravatscha campsite is located in a beautiful wooded area with meadows, tall conifers and magnificent views of the Alpine landscape. The site is also dog-friendly. It also offers free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a sanitary cabin for wheelchair users. The ski resorts with the best pistes in Italy are located on the sunny side of the Alps. In Veneto and South Tyrol, the traditional ski villages are particularly popular with winter sports enthusiasts. The Camping Residence Sägemühle is located here on a flat meadow area with mountain views. It is a family-run, child-friendly campsite at the foot of the Ortler group, whose highlights include the large indoor pool with wellness area and the popular restaurant. As a winter camp in Germany, the Rubi-Camp near Oberstdorf also offers spa holidays. It is located on a flat meadow area next to the forest, with a mountain stream and panoramic views of the mountain landscape. The campsite has a children's playground and dog owners are also welcome here with their four-legged friends. The speciality of this campsite, in addition to WLAN and a snack bar, is the attractive spa offer. Oberstdorf is not only a climatic health resort, but also a Kneipp health resort and certified as an allergy-friendly municipality, which invites visitors to spend a health holiday here. In France, the Yelloh! Village L'Étoile des Neiges is popular with campers. It is a terraced site with a variety of deciduous trees overlooking wooded heights near the Saint-Jean ski centre. The specialities here are guided rafting, canoeing and kayaking tours on the Ubaye River, around 20 km away. This resort also has a children's playground and even an indoor swimming pool.

Top tips

• Book in good time: The best winter campsites in the Alps are fully booked long before the Christmas holidays. It is therefore advisable to reserve your own pitch well in advance.
• Think of everything: To ensure that the campervan is securely positioned, boards and jacks should be placed under the campervan. These prevent the caravan from sinking in or tipping over in thawing weather.
• Awning: To prevent the power cables from being damaged, they should be laid securely on the ground and protected. An awning is highly recommended as a storage area and drying area for ski equipment. This keeps the inside of the campervan clean and dry.
• Water supplies: The water pipes must always be heated to prevent them from freezing. The pipes and water tanks should therefore be checked regularly.
• Snowfall: In the event of heavy snowfall, all roofs of the vehicle must be cleared of snow. A little powder snow certainly does no harm, but wet snow weighs a lot and ices up quickly. All snow residue must therefore be carefully removed before setting off.
• Camping with a dog: Dogs are not allowed on every campsite. Holidaymakers who want to take their four-legged friend with them on a camping trip should find out in advance which campsites allow dogs and which special rules must be observed when camping with a pet.
• Sun protection: Even in winter, the skin is not protected from sunburn. Despite the cold temperatures, travellers should make sure they use adequate sun protection. Many drugstores sell special sun creams for winter regions.

Activities and excursions

Many campsites offer wonderful views of the mountains and nature, promising relaxation in beautiful winter landscapes. Hiking, cross-country skiing and skiing are the perfect way to enjoy a holiday in the snow.

Conquer the beautiful mountains and pistes with a ski pass

The winter landscapes invite you to enjoy all kinds of sports in the white snow. The mountain landscape can be conquered with a ski pass and the appropriate downhill routes. The trails are prepared for cross-country skiing specialists and snow hikers. All ski areas have an extensive programme of courses.

Wellness and sauna: a great winter combination

Spending the evening in the sauna after a day in the snow relaxes the muscles and the soul. Some campsites offer their own wellness area or co-operate with providers in the surrounding area. It is also possible to combine a winter holiday with a spa treatment. Information is available at the holiday destination and on the campsite websites.

Winter campsites offer a varied programme for their guests

Some campsites offer a wide range of activities for visitors, from tennis to aqua aerobics and fitness training. Relaxation, yoga and massage are also part of the programme, as are bowling, golf and archery. It is advisable to find out about the activities on offer in the region at the start of your trip, as this will increase your anticipation of a successful holiday.

Which gas to use for winter camping?

Propane gas is ideal for winter camping. It can be used without hesitation at temperatures of minus 40 degrees. In Germany, liquid gas cylinders contain around 95 per cent propane all year round and can be used for camping in winter. Butane, on the other hand, is rather unsuitable for winter camping.

What needs to be considered for winter camping?

Winter camping requires more equipment to arm yourself against the cold temperatures. The following are recommended:

• Warm duvets
• Sufficient gas for cooking and heating
• Insulating mats and heating mats to prevent cold bridges in the motorhome or caravan
• Thermal mats or films for the windows
• Antifreeze for the toilet and waste water tank

Which awning for winter camping?

When winter camping, the awning acts as a cold trap between the inside of the vehicle and the outside world. It offers sufficient storage space and is primarily made of PVC for the cold season, which is very robust and yet remains supple. Awnings for winter camping are fitted with a lazy strip so that the tent can also be secured with snow or other weights if the ground is frozen. We recommend using steel poles for the awning to cope with the weight in snow and ice.