Hit the Highway

Jasper National Park Photo Courtesy of Parks Canada / Rogier Gruys

Be sure to book your reservations in advance and enjoy the adventure!

As we approached Fairmont Hot Springs, the steam from the hot pools visible from the highway, our plan suddenly changed. As it turned out, we would not make it to Golden that day. The hot pools were calling. And we needed to go. Ah, yes, the “change the plan on the fly program.” Just one of the many benefits of RVing!

Indeed, cruising down the highway with a luxurious houseon-wheels - last spring our family rented a cozy CanaDream RV that comfortably slept five - is definitely something to add to your bucket list. RVing is synonymous with exploration and adventure. The world is your oyster! You can take the roads less travelled. And you can see them in a whole new way.

As we discovered, hitting the road with an RV opens the door to so much more than what’s possible when you travel with an automobile. With an RV, you’re self-contained. You have freedom to roam. The pressure is off! Jam-packed hotels, busy restaurants, keeping a tight schedule, these are not exactly relevant when you’ve got your own home sitting right there behind the cab.

Granted, there are plenty of tricks-of-the-trade when it comes to RVing. On our spring journey down the legendary Powder Highway in the Kootenay Rockies (yes, you can RV in winter!) there were some important lessons learned. Like, for example, if you’re travelling in winter, bring a shovel! During our overnight stay in the parking lot at the Kimberley Alpine Resort, we received 40 centimeters of pillow-soft powder overnight. Needless to say, when it was time to move on, digging out our “home” with only the aid of our skis took a little longer than expected! But, man, the skiing was epic! The Powder Highway certainly lived up to expectations.

Of course, there are hundreds of options in terms of places to go and things to experience. In summer, the Powder Highway becomes a playground filled with pristine lakes and endless places to explore and experience. In terms of destinations to

travel to, another one of my favourites is the Slocan Valley. Under-the-radar towns and villages like Nakusp, New Denver, and Winlaw are prime places for the RVing way of life.

And of course, in terms of additional tips for newbie RVers, I’ve compiled a few more (with some help from CanaDream, one of the largest RV rental companies in Canada).

1. Don’t Drive Too Much In One Day

CanaDream recommends 3-4 hrs maximum driving time per day. You should allow plenty of time to recreate outdoors! Visit a winery, hike to a lookout, sit on a beach.

This, ultimately, is why you’re on the road to begin with.

2. Get The Right RV

So you’re a newbie and have no clue which RV is right for your party? And you’ve also never driven one before?

Not a problem! All the reputable RV rental companies, including CanaDream, will make sure you are set up with the perfect vehicle based on the number of people in your party. They will walk you through every detail and there are online tutorials you can take as well.

3. Keep An Eye Out For Special Offers

Every week new online specials are offered. One-way relocation specials (RVs go from A to B but sometimes don’t come back to A, depending on a party’s travel plans!) are very common. Check often!

4. Do Your Research

Planning a general route and booking the most popular

RV parks (if you want to go that route) can save you some frustration along the way. CanaDream has a Trip Planner tool that allows you to completely customize your travels.

They also have plenty of information on over 1,000 campgrounds, activities, tours, and attractions.

5. Be Flexible

Altering your original plan - you cand and will discover the unexpected! - as you “cruise” along is not something to fear. It’s something to embrace! Take advantage of those really special locations that speak to you.

6. Plan Your Meals

Preparing food, BBQing, s’mores by the campfire, stocking the cooler, it’s a big part of the fun when you’re RVing.

There is plenty of space for food in an RV, including a bigger-than-you-think refrigerator and freezer. Load up and plan your awesome gourmet meals!

Regardless of which “home” you decide to choose, which road you travel, and what, exactly, you pack in your cooler, an RV adventure is going to leave you and your clan with many, many magnificent memories. My final tip? Just do it! By: Andrew Penner