Are you ready to experience year-round van life but aren’t sure where to start? We’ll walk through the essential gear and equipment that you need to take on cold temperatures in your home on wheels. Whether you’re a full-timer ready to explore new places or a weekend warrior with a sense of adventure, we’ll help you get ready to hit the slopes, see the northern lights, and experience the joy of winter van life. 

Enjoying Van Life Beyond the Summer Season 

As the days get longer, the ground begins to defrost, and the temperatures rise, avid campers dust off their tents, RVs, and camper vans and get ready to head off-grid. After spending the winter cooped up at home, the flowers blooming and fresh spring air signal the oncoming season of adventure. The onset of mild weather means the ‘camping season’ has officially begun. Campgrounds are booked every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and people from every corner of the US venture outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather. 

Especially for the camping ‘purists’ who prefer the minimalism of simply bringing along a tent and a sleeping bag, waiting for warmer weather is the safest and most comfortable way to camp. With just a thin piece of canvas separating you from the elements, avoiding extreme weather makes for a much more enjoyable trip. As more campers are seeking to take the comfort of home on the road, they’re trading in their tents for RVs, vans, and overland rigs.   

Although this transition has started to blur the lines of the traditional camping season, some campers are still choosing to adventure during warmer seasons. Whether they’re full-timers trying to follow the “70-degree line” or weekend warriors who don’t feel equipped to take on frigid temperatures, the warm weather offers comfort and peace of mind. With the advancement of camping technology and the increasing ubiquity of capable camper vans and overland rigs, some campers are venturing out year-round and enjoying winter van life. 

Why Are Campers Choosing to Continue Van Life in the Winter? 

While most snowbirds struggle to see the allure of winter camping, van life in the winter has a variety of benefits. When campgrounds are booked solid throughout the summer, there is much more room to spread out in the winter. Even though some campgrounds close for the season when temperatures drop, many popular boondocking places will have minimal crowds. Winter van life can allow you unrestricted access to incredible National Parks and other areas that are normally booked solid during the busy season. 

Additionally, the winter season offers a variety of activities that simply aren’t possible to enjoy during the warmer months. Many avid skiers and snowboarders love winter van life for the ease of enjoying their favorite activity. The ability to camp directly in the parking lot of a ski resort allows easy access to the mountain without waking up before dawn and fighting crowds in traffic. Digital nomads make the most of their workdays by skiing early in the morning or during lunch and then returning to the van to work. Also, what could be better than a hot, home-cooked meal in the middle of an epic day on the mountain? 

The activities aren’t the only things exclusive to winter van life! There are incredible views and experiences that only come around during the winter months. Few things can top the unparalleled beauty of snow-covered trees and mountains glistening in the sunlight. The red dirt of the high desert gets covered in a blanket of white as softly falling snow accumulates around you. If you’re willing to head a little further north, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the magnificent Aurora Borealis. The night sky in some parts of the U.S. and Canada is lit up by this multicolored light show throughout the winter months. 

Essentials for Surviving Winter Van Life  

Along with the abundant joys and experiences of winter van life, there is a long list of essential supplies and equipment necessary to ensure a safe and successful trip. First and foremost, having a well-equipped vehicle is the key to winter van life. Whether you have a camper van or other type of overland vehicle, installing snow tires, adding extra clearance with a lift kit, and having 4WD capabilities can make or break your trip. Although these features will significantly reduce your chances of getting stuck, throwing a shovel, winch, traction boards, and other recovery tools never hurts. 

One of the best parts of van life is the ability to bring many of the comforts of home on the road. In addition to the necessary safety gear, having a fully equipped van will make winter van life much more enjoyable. When camping in the winter, the ability to sleep, cook meals, and spend evenings indoors is a complete game-changer. Having a refrigerator to store food, appliances to cook, lights, outlets for charging, and, of course, a heater allows you to enjoy multiple days in a row adventuring in freezing temperatures. 

The only drawback to bringing along these electronics is the need to power them. Many of the places people love to experience winter van life, ski resort parking lots, national parks, and remote boondocking areas do not offer hookups. This leaves them limited in the amount of power they can carry with them. Fortunately, Battle Born Batteries offers heated lithium batteries that can provide power in cold weather. With extremely high energy density, they’re lightweight and compact, allowing plenty of power for multiple days on the road. Additionally, they have internal heating capabilities, making them ideal for winter van life in below-freezing temperatures.  

Taking on Cold Temperatures in a Home on Wheels 

Although we know the power our heated batteries offer during the winter, don’t just take our word for it! See how these experienced van lifers made the most of van life during chilly weather. 

Living the Van Life 

If anyone knows a thing or two about winter van life, it’s Chad DeRosa. As the adventurer behind Living the Van Life, Chad has spent the last 3 winters taking his converted Sprinter van to the Arctic Circle. During the point in the year when full-time travelers head south to avoid the frigid weather, Chad drives straight into the thick of it.  

Heading to the northernmost point of North America, taking on the Yukon highway, and making his way from Washington to the Arctic Ocean, it’s safe to say Chad’s experienced his share of extreme weather. Facing temperatures below -40° C, limited sunlight, and harsh conditions are no problem for his Battle Born Batteries. No matter where his days take him, Chad can always count on coming back to a warm bed and a hot meal cooked from the comfort of his van.  

Linnea & Akela  

Linnea and her fearless adventure pup, Akela, love getting to call Linnea’s self-converted camper van home all year long. While some of their adventures have taken them through milder winters in the desert of the southwest, Linnea loves pushing her limits.  

Last winter, Linnea, Akela, her partner Chris, and his pup Kobuk spent two months off-grid during winter in the Midwest. With only his Skoolie, her van, and the supplies those could carry, they spend the winter in an off-grid paradise. Enduring countless snowstorms, extreme temperatures, and the challenge of remaining fully self-sustained, Linnea and Chris counted on their Battle Born Batteries and accompanying solar systems to keep them powered all winter long.  

Engineers Who Van Life  

From the beginning, Colby and Eric knew that full-time van life would mean fully embracing winter weather. These Engineers Who Van Life couldn’t wait to camp in ski resort parking lots. As avid skiers, they chased winter weather, seeking out prime ski conditions and bottomless powder. 

This meant spending days at a time parked at a ski resort, relying on their Battle Born Batteries and solar power to keep them up and running. Other than keeping warm, Colby and Eric relied on having working electrical outlets and Starlink for the full-time remote jobs. In between early morning and lunch breaks lapping the hill, Colby and Eric enjoyed a mobile office and home-cooked meals for lunch and dinner. 

Where’s Coffee Girl  

When Michele started her mobile café, Where’s Coffee Girl, she was ecstatic to embrace her newfound freedom and work on the road. While her kids competed in ski races and attended practices at various ski resorts, Michele would set up shop in the parking lot. This allowed her to be present at her kid’s sporting events without having to miss out on important work opportunities. 

While working in the parking lots, Michele relied on her Battle Born Batteries to run a massive espresso machine, refrigerator, lights, and outlets in her van. With no available hookups and limited sunlight during winter in the Pacific Northwest, Michele put her batteries to the ultimate test. 

Experience the Thrill of Winter Van Life 

When summer comes to an end, your off-grid adventures don’t have to! With the proper equipment and gear, you can enjoy the thrilling activities and jaw-dropping views of winter van life. Learn more about winter van life and check out our heated battery kits on the Battle Born Batteries website! Once you’ve found some inspiration our technical specialists would love to help equip your van for your next winter adventure. You can call in for a consultation at (855) 292-2831 (M-F 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (PST)). Also don’t forget to keep with us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more tips and tricks about surviving winter van life.