Camilla Gunnarsson often goes camping in her caravan with her husband Anders and 13-year-olds Matilda and Anton. But their favourite season is not summer, but winter! You might think that Camilla and her family are "those people who have always gone winter camping and skiing", but that's not the case at all. On the contrary, Camilla has seen herself as a person who "can't learn to ski and hates being in the forest".
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ShareThe family has made a complete turnaround and now loves the life of winter camping, skiing and outdoor activities, which Camilla Gunnarsson also blogs about on "Active Days". We are of course curious to know more about what is so wonderful about winter camping and how to make it work in practice.
Table of contents
What kind of caravan do you have and why did you choose it?
We have chosen a caravan but really think that a motorhome would suit us better given our level of activity. The reason we have not bought a motorhome is because we are a bit of a "safety freak" and do not dare to travel around with the children sitting in the back of a motorhome after trying to read about motorhomes and safety. The fact that there is not much to read about it speaks volumes. However, when winter camping, it works well with a caravan.
When did you start winter camping and why did you start it?
It was really a coincidence that we started winter camping. Skiing has become a big interest for the whole family and we spend a lot of time on ski slopes (which in itself is an unexpected development because until January 2010 I was convinced that I couldn't learn to ski...). Still, we have been sceptical about winter camping. We thought it seemed complicated, expensive and cramped.
But one sunny spring day in 2014 when we were skiing in Bjursås in Dalarna we realised that we should check what campsites were available. "Just for fun". A rather strange idea considering how much we had talked about the disadvantages of winter camping. Anyway, we became very fond of a nice campsite down by the lake. Which was free. So we booked it. And dared to try winter camping. And became very fond of it. And don't understand how we thought before, when we saw so many disadvantages of winter camping.
Now, after a season as winter campers, we see only benefits! Like a lot of outdoor life, a lot of time together and the freedom to go whenever you want. Of course, it costs, but for a seasonal pitch at the winter campsite and a season pass to the lift, we pay about what we previously paid for a week's cabin rental and lift pass. Then there are some additional costs for electricity and of course the cost of having a caravan.
All the things we thought would be difficult were not so difficult at all. Like going to do the dishes or take a shower in the service centre when it's cold outside. It can actually be quite magical to walk off with your dishes in the crunching snow under sparkling stars. And you don't have to take a shower every day, and sometimes we bring home dishes when we don't have the energy to wash them.
How have you equipped your caravan for winter camping?
We now have a caravan that is winterised so we have not had to equip it. The only thing we have done is to get an awning for the front of the caravan to prevent snow/ice on the windscreen. We have also acquired a front cabin. It is a small cabin that stands next to the caravan and is "docked" to the caravan so it becomes like a hall or an extra room.
We use our vestibule as a hallway and storage space, but some people decorate their vestibule as an extra room with, for example, a sofa or dining table. Because we can store clothes and equipment in the front room, the carriage is not crowded. It's organised and everything has its place. However, not all campsites allow you to have a front cabin.
One option is to have a winter tent. However, a front cabin feels like a must for me. If you don't have a winterised wagon, there are some tricks you can use to make it work anyway, but we haven't delved into those.
What are your favourite winter activities, and does everyone in the family agree?
Downhill skiing is the major interest for all of us. We have also tried snowboarding and are keen to try long-distance skating..
What do you do at home in the caravan in the evenings when winter camping? Are there different preferences in the family?
We're usually pretty tired after a whole day outdoors, so once we've eaten and washed the dishes, it's nice to take it easy. There is a lot of screen time, but we also read, look at photos or films from the day and play cards or board games. We have a TV in the pram but it's rarely on. If you want to be social, you can go to the service centre and socialise. The children have several friends at the campsite with whom they socialise.
What are your favourite winter caravanning destinations?
We have not had time to test so many. The first season, i.e. last winter, we were in Bjursås but at the end of the season we moved on to Kläppen because our son Anton was going to camp there and we also wanted a few more slopes to ski on the Easter holidays. This winter we are in Kläppen and we think it will become a favourite. It IS already a favourite for Anton because they have such a nice Snow Park there. Many people he knows usually go there.
The rest of us are also happy with Kläppen, and that from there you can quickly get to five other ski resorts in Sälen and to Trysil on the Norwegian side. We like variety and having choices! Larger mountains with skiing on the bare mountain are really my and my husband's favourites, and you can find that in Trysil. Kläppen also gets plus points for the fact that you can have a front cabin there.
Have you experienced anything that didn't go as planned when winter camping? Tell us about it!
There have been mostly positive surprises. For example, we hadn't realised how relaxing winter camping would be. It's like a mini holiday every time we go to the caravan. We are also surprised that packing and unpacking is so easy.
We have some things stored in boxes in the storage room at home, ready to be transported to the caravan. A positive surprise is also that we have spent so many autumn weekends at the caravan and outdoors in nature. Autumn camping is also something we underestimated!
Finally, a question we ask everyone we interview: What is your dream destination Camilla Gunnarsson?
No specific place, but nowadays the mountains always attract us. Summer skiing on a glacier is something we would love to do again! We went skiing on the Folgefonna glacier in Norway in the summer of 2013 and it was there and then that the idea for my blog Active Days was born.
Thank you Camilla Gunnarsson for sharing your experiences and thoughts!
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Lennart says:
Preferably winter camping but then a bit south!
23 January 2016 - 7:44
Marie says:
Fun! I myself am not a summer camper even though it is something I can understand the charm of, but she makes it sound wonderful even with winter camping. 🙂
23 January 2016 - 8:51
Imelda says:
Sounds wonderful! A front room is a must in the winter. Every season has its charm!
23 January 2016 - 9:35
Ama de casa says:
I do like skiing, but when there is snow, I probably prefer hotels or cabins. Maybe mostly because we are tent-campers. Or WERE tent-campers, perhaps it's more accurate to say....
🙂
23 January 2016 - 10:36
admin says:
Lennart, haha, that's also nice, I can agree with that, but not quite the same 😉.
Marie, yes, right? I also think it sounds cosy! We thought about winter camping when Peter's sons were a little younger, but it never happened. However, I do not think our motorhome is completely optimal for the winter season.
Imelda, it sounds very practical with a front cabin where you can leave clothes and equipment! Otherwise it would be a bit chaotic inside the carriage, I can think... 😉.
Ama de casa, if I was a tent camper, I would also prefer cabin or hotel! 😉
23 January 2016 - 10:47
nils-åke hansson says:
Do you transport around the cabin or do you rent one?
Liked myself when we were out 4.5 weeks a winter -23 degrees including Vasaloppsvecka in Mora (Camping one week).
We use the campervan as when we are at home, we wash dishes and take showers, the only problem may be to find emptying in winter. Called Norrtälje municipality and asked where the possibility existed. ANSWER you can not empty in a snowdrift.
23 January 2016 - 11:28
Anette says:
Good guest, good questions and if you can write, good answers! Great to have people who can change their minds, and then really go all out, because there is nothing better than winter camping in the Swedish mountains!
23 January 2016 - 12:16
Mr Steve says:
What a great solution for an inveterate skiing family.The whole interview exudes joy and enjoyment with their camping choice. Great to read.
In my teens, in the 60s, I went winter camping several times in our caravan. We went ice fishing instead of skiing.
However, I will honestly admit that I did not become a camper as an adult. But it was definitely not because I was discouraged, but more because of convenience and lack of time.
I get angry with myself when I write "lack of time". What is "lack of time"? Actually, it is never a lack of time, it is only about how I choose to use the time. I will stop there otherwise this will be an endless comment.
23 January 2016 - 11:53
scottishmoments says:
What a lovely format with this week's guest, so much fun to read!
23 January 2016 - 13:33
admin says:
Nils-Åke, your first question is for Camilla to answer herself! Glad that you are also winter camping, but that answer about emptying was... well, don't really have words for it 🙁
Steve, they certainly make it sound really lovely and cosy? Nice that you also have winter camping! 🙂 By the way, I agree with you about that expression of not having time. You do not have time for everything, but it is, as you say, about what you prioritise.
Anette, glad you like the interview!
And winter camping 😉 I am inspired by people who dare to take new paths in life. Many times it is easy to get stuck in how you have always done ...
Scottishmoments, glad you like our guest theme! 🙂
BP, it certainly doesn't suit everyone! And it's really cold this year in some places!!!
23 January 2016 - 13:55
Ditte says:
Nice and inspiring interview this too and fun to hear about the thoughts behind it all. Understand that this works well and that everyone thrives, it really shows. Quite important!
I have on a couple of occasions tried living in a rented caravan in Sälen when my daughters were 10 years old, a long time ago, and it worked well. But since I have been skiing all my life, I want varied skiing and it has become a lot of Alps.
I have never been a camper, but we have had a boat.
23 January 2016 - 14:23
BP says:
Nice that the whole family seems to enjoy winter camping and skiing. Definitely an alternative lifestyle. Absolutely nothing for me/us though. Oh this winter when the set was up to 30-35 degrees below zero, I would probably prefer to stay in a cabin or apartment hotel.
23 January 2016 - 13:41
Lena in Wales says:
Interesting interview. Can imagine winter camping, but then much more south!!!!
Have a nice weekend!
23 January 2016 - 15:36
admin says:
Ditte, the same things do not suit everyone and I understand very well that you have chosen the Alps! 🙂
Lena in Wales, haha, that's also a kind of winter camping 😉.
23 January 2016 - 17:22
Only British says:
Husband has been camping in a cave in the Lake District in the middle of winter. Note that this was before we met and that I did not find out immediately, hehe. 🙂 I myself like camping but then in the summer. Caravan seems cosy but I do not drive. Dreaming of an English canal boat and reading a bit about it though.
23 January 2016 - 18:18
ActiveDays-Camilla says:
Hello everyone who read and commented!
Glad that my/our excitement and joy seems to "shine through" in the interview! We are really happy that we dared to take the step and test this!
And about time, we now think more about what we do with it.... And what we WANT to use it for... For example, life in general has been simplified somewhat so that we can do more of what we want. Skiing and winter camping have also "opened the door" to more outdoor life the rest of the year. It is powerful to discover nature together with your children, and to experience how even 13-year-olds can enjoy a beautiful view, for example!
And yes, the Alps attract us too. But this solution currently gives us so many more ski days per year... We are already up to over 20 this season. But one doesn't have to exclude the other... 🙂 ðŸ™'
And to answer the practical question about cabins: you usually buy one. There are usually some used ones on the market and there are also companies that build and sell cabins. Many people build one themselves. If you stay at the same campsite for several seasons in a row, you can usually store the cabin there over the summer. Otherwise you have to organise some kind of transport with a trailer.
Take care everyone 🙂
Thank you for reading 🙂
23 January 2016 - 18:24
admin says:
Just British, wow, camping in a cave in the middle of winter sounds... adventurous to say the least! A canal boat sounds cosy! (And I actually don't have a driving licence either... ;))
Camilla, oh what fun and good that you looked in and answered comments and questions! Big THANK YOU again for wanting to be a Guest of the Week!
24 January 2016 - 9:19
Åke Hammarbäck says:
Great interview and topic!
I remember with pleasure my childhood in Norrland, ski slopes and caravan many New Year's weeks and weekends.
My girls are now 13 and 15 and ski and board, mostly in Åre. Now we will try the Husbilen in Vemdalen on the sports holiday, and Hemsedal on the Easter holiday.
Skiing is great!
26 January 2016 - 19:54