Speaking of skiing and Vanagons - camping at/near ski areas?

ranchero

We try to camp a fair amount in the winter. Camping at a trailhead for backcountry trips isn't usually an issue, but we would like to spend some more time camping at ski areas.

Anyone have any recommendations for camping-friendly ski areas in CO, NM, WY, MT, ID, WA? I've had good luck at Wolf Creek, Purgatory, Bridger Bowl, Pajarito. Have been asked to leave Crested Butte, Santa Fe and Taos.
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'90 Westy Syncro EJ25 (money pit #1)
'96 FZJ80 (cheap by comparison^^)
'13 Golf R. Daily driver.

j_dirge

86syncrowesty · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:59 am Post subject:

Ranchero -

Have you tried Ski Cooper? Being a small place maybe they would let it slide - maybe your lift ticket/pass on the dash? Places that small have to welcome you in some way, Leadville has 4 hotel rooms so where would you stay? Pajarito in New Mexico I think is similar sized. I would like to know what you find as I am not finding much while blindly searching google.
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1986 Vanagon -- Syncro, Westy
2.5L Subaru

TopBud · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:06 am Post subject:

You can stay in the lot at Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff for up to 14 days. It's a ton of fun. The ski area is "small" but the backcountry is big..
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86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia

skivan · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:13 am Post subject:

Targhee is camp friendly for Wydaho. Not sure about Jackson...might have to go stealth in neighborhoods around the village. At least there are lots of empty houses with nice heated driveways.

here's a good thread from TGR on the subject:
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/203066-Ski-RV-s-who-s-sleeping-in-parking-lots
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'87 subaru westy syncro
'04 TDI passat wagon

joseph928 · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:33 am Post subject: ski

I'm with top bud try AZ. snow bowl great town ski area is only 6 miles away , I have friends stay their all the time. And if that doesn't work our drive way is only 3 miles to the place. Nice flat place to park with elec. Blue Bay Bus

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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.

GMByers · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:01 pm Post subject:

I dunno.....I don't see any Vanagon content here, unless you count the signature lines. Confused

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And then there were two...downsized to 83 Doka &
74 Thing.

GWTWTLW · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:04 pm Post subject:

In Oregon, Meadows, Timberline and Mt. Bachelor allow overnight camping as long as you have a snowpark permit...
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89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw

wyomingresident · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:44 pm Post subject:

Camping near JHMR is difficult. I'm a seasoned urban camper and it would be tough to pull off. Really the best would be to park in town at a hotel. Rodeo Grounds (sadly) is a no camping zone- same for the Library.

Contact me when passing through- especially if you are skiing.

There is no on street parking in the town of Jackson Nov - April. However for the low key and creative, numerous opportunities exist.
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Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
Mark Twain

ranchero · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:10 pm Post subject:

ranchero · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks folks - this is great info!

One more observation....I didn't personally camp there, but I talked to a guy in a truck camper parked in the lot at Silverton last year and he said he had stayed at the end of the lot for two nights with no hassles.
_________________
'90 Westy Syncro EJ25 (money pit #1)
'96 FZJ80 (cheap by comparison^^)
'13 Golf R. Daily driver.

buildyourown · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject:

We camped at Lookout Pass on I-90 in ID. I don't think they knew we were campers but there were several other trucks in the lot. The snowmobiles are insane all night long though. They do hot laps around the mountain ALL NIGHT.
Best $19 courdaroy the next morning though. I wouldn't call it a destination resort, but there is some fun to be had.
I think Carhartt Courdaroy pretty much sums up that "mountain"

86syncrowesty · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:19 pm Post subject:

So for those who camp in a lot (on mountain or off) are you popping the top? That would kill the stealth. Are you heating the van in some way, propex, etc?
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1986 Vanagon -- Syncro, Westy
2.5L Subaru

SCM · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject:

There's been a converted bus (think "school" not VW) and one or two beat up RVs parked most of the season in the free lot at Big Sky resort the past few seasons. Presumably the mountain is cool with it as long as you don't cause problems.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

McVanagon · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

There is a Walmart in Frisco CO, which is 30 minutes from just about everything.
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'69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop

FNGRUVN · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:02 pm Post subject:

Loveland doesn't mind. I've spent a couple nights in the upper parking lot next to the beginner hill. Pretty secluded and far enough away from I-70 that you don't hear the semi trucks too bad.

Winter Park is over-night friendly too, I hear.
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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

rfoubi · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:09 pm Post subject:

jackbombay · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:53 pm Post subject:

ranchero · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:09 am Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:44 am Post subject:

I have overnighted at Squaw, with permission. They told me to park in the employee lot, so the snow plows could work the main lot unimpeded.

If I wanted to sleep at Ski Santa Fe, and they did not want me to, I would go slightly down the hill and sleep at Big Tesuque. I never tried sleeping at the Ski area base, because I lived in Santa Fe for 17 years and had a home nearby. But I know of at least one Westy that overnighted, for several days in a row, in the new lot, at the hairpin turn that is closest to walking on to the Broadway run, just above the quad chair.

I think the main objection to overnighters is a practical concern, of the vehicle blocking the snow clearing equipment. With that in mind, I would ask if there is anywhere they would like you to park overnight that is out of the way of the snow plows..

I have overnighted at Taos, I did not ask permission, just parked near a group of other vehicles, which to me implied it was employee parking.. people who were working the night machinery.. Nobody asked me to leave, but when in doubt a phone call to security prior to visiting, would be my way of getting some idea of mountain policy.

Of course, it is easy to overnight in parking lots for hotels. I have camped overnight in Pagosa Springs, in order to enjoy the hot springs after Skiing Wolf Creek, nobody asked me to move.

I have a van friend that makes a point of camping at Kirkwood for snow season.. apparently he has to be stealthy, but gets it done..

I applaud your dedication and willingness to snow camp, and hope you have a fantastic season.


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