When going motorhome skiing, we must ensure that the motorhome is properly equipped and prepared, as there can be a fine line between a very positive and a negative experience. Motorhome prices can vary greatly, and the readiness of the motorhome for winter, i.e., insulation, heating system, double floor, built-in materials, etc., makes a significant difference.

First, a few words about motorhome heating.
Broadly, motorhome heating can be divided into gas and diesel.

GAS (two options):
Truma – forced-air heating
Alde – central heating (water heating, coolant circulates through the motorhome)

DIESEL:

Webasto, Eberspächer… – forced-air heating

If we were to rank heating systems by quality, based on experience, they would be as follows:

1. Alde (quietest, no air movement in the vehicle, maintains greater consistency once heated, very reliable)
2. Truma (mid-range in terms of noise, heats up faster than Alde, reliable)
3. Webasto, Eberspächer (noisier than Truma, not recommended for very low temperatures) – advantage: no need to worry about gas cylinders.
   The same order applies to price. The Alde system is the most expensive, Truma is in the middle, and Webasto and Eberspächer are cheaper options.

USEFUL TIPS for using a motorhome in winter:

• With all heating systems, we must not forget the batteries! With dead batteries, none of the systems will work, as electricity is required for air circulation or coolant circulation.
• If we have gas heating, we must ensure we use PROPANE! It has better combustion properties at low temperatures. With butane, you might only be able to use half a cylinder at low temperatures before your heating fails. Based on our skiing experience, a 10kg propane cylinder lasts for 3-4 days.
• It’s wise to take an extra cylinder or two rather than too few, saving you the trouble of searching for gas stations where you can refill them.
• In winter, we must ensure that the temperature in the living area never drops below 0 °C. If this happens, we could lose all our fresh water, as some motorhomes have an automatic valve. If the water in the motorhome freezes, pipes, water filters, pump membranes, etc., can burst. When the temperature inside the vehicle is around 0 °C, never open the taps! They contain Teflon, which can crack at low temperatures. Also, do not start the pump before the vehicle has warmed up.
  For motorhomes without a heated wastewater tank, we must also be careful that it does not freeze.
• Most heat loss in a motorhome occurs through the cab area. Therefore, it is wise to insulate this part at night. This can be done in several ways. There are external covers, internal covers, but you can achieve a lot by simply creating a barrier between the cab and the living area with a blanket or duvet.
  So, in winter, always bring more blankets than you think you’ll need.
• If you know there’s a possibility of connecting to the 220V electrical grid somewhere along the way, bring a fan heater. This can serve as a “temperature maintainer,” reducing gas consumption or keeping it as a reserve.
• If you are heading to ski resorts where temperatures drop below -20 degrees, don’t forget to add anti-freeze to your diesel tank. (Especially if you have diesel heating! =))
• Don’t forget to add anti-freeze to your windshield washer fluid.
• If you do not have a heated wastewater tank, keep the wastewater tank open at all times.