Camping at Skitube

[swellmagnet]

Hi all, just wanted to get people thoughts on sleeping in the car graemlins/brr.gif at the skitube? the girlfriend and i are contemplating doing it as we want to go down a fair few weekends this season and cant be ****d paying for accom....


p.s this is my first post and have been viewing snowatch for over 4years now...i like you work Frog, and all other forum posters smile.gif

[Shorty936]

might get a bit chilly

[Caboose]

i'm not sure if it is 100% Kosher to sleep in the skitube car park, although it has been done before ;)

from experience make it more comfortable for you lady and stay at one of the caravan parks in Jindy

you then have access to hot showers, gear shopping, pubs & hot food ;)

i think 1 night at the jindy van park is about $20-$25 p/p might be cheaper for the 2nd person

[swellmagnet]

actually hadnt thought of that, will look into it. cheers Caboose.

My girlfriend is pretty cruisey like that so i dont think this will bother her all that much.. was pretty much a joint idea

[Mazza]

Im with Caby, I dont think you are allowed to camp at the skitube terminal, unless you find a nice secluded place. It does get cold, try on site van at Sineline caravan park, they have pretty good rates.

[ozgirl]

Just a thought I what is the difference between a 2 day pass and 2 nights accom at station resort?

Also what about camping on the alpine way sites? May be cheaper if the hot water etc is not important to you guys.

Although you shouldn't drink and drive you can hang around at PB for a couple (maybe no alcohol) drinks and catch a later tube down to kill time.

[shaneski]

I have previously stayed over night in my van close to friday flat then take a swim and shower at the leisure centre. Just keep a low profile and not leave internal van lights on.
Now I am an older responsible member of the community I stay in the Thredbo YHA, which has a great kitchen and drying room.

[Snowmunch]

only solution is: body heat

[Shorty936]

I am with Ozgirl on her idea there isnt much difference between 2 day lift pass and 2 day lift pass with accomodation at the station, and you are walking distance to Happy Jacks,

although those caravans sound like a great idea esp if you had a season pass and wouldn't get the 2 day pass and accomodation package

[Butters]

If you've ever slept in a car, it's amazing how much condensation collects on the windows, runs down the doors etc. If you can do a caravan park, then definately a better option!

[Caboose]

the $20-$25 for the caravan park is just for entry/tent/car spot

caravans and cabins cost more

i'm hoping you have a station wagon or bigger for sleeping in

my mates corolla was carp ;) :D

my bro's Kingswood station wagon was sweet - as long as you didn't roll over and touch the metal sides

ohh on the condensation leave a couple of windows down a crack for venting

make sure you have good sleeping bags or a few donas/blankets

got to -10oC last season in jindy van park - that was a cold night graemlins/cold.gif

[ 18. June 2009, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: Caboose ]

[Caboose]

there are free camping spots within the national parks, but comes at the cost of the Nat Parks entry

[swellmagnet]

hmmm all make very valid and useful points..glad i asked.

i have a station wagon, have done a fair few trips up the coast in it and it sleeps perfectly well...however never tested it in -10c.

[Snow Yeti]

I put a down duvet on top of my sleeping bag ... very comfy and extra warm swellmagnet smile.gif

[Caboose]

Originally posted by swellmagnet:
hmmm all make very valid and useful points..glad i asked.

i have a station wagon, have done a fair few trips up the coast in it and it sleeps perfectly well...however never tested it in -10c. -10 in jindy doesn't happen that often, but it can happen

just be prepared and you will be alright

PJ,trackies,thermals, socks, beanie etc

[SnowSnow]

Originally posted by Butters:
If you've ever slept in a car, it's amazing how much condensation collects on the windows, runs down the doors etc. If you can do a caravan park, then definately a better option! PLus it's not the most comfy but at least you get more snow for your dough that way.

[Xena]

At least you and the gf can warm yourselves up :eek:
Condensation on the windows means that a good thing is happenin! ;)

[Blowey]

No worries in a car but chose somewhere nicer than the ski tube car park. Thredbo Diggings, Ngarigo or up in the scrub somewhere. Island Bend area, or even in the park by the lake at jindabyne. There's plenty of people doing it. Coppers don't care as long as you're not leaving stuff set up during the day.

[Polaris]

Originally posted by Blowey:
Coppers don't care as long as you're not leaving stuff set up during the day. Coppers might not but there are council and NPWS rangers that are interested ;)

[spaz]

I've done 2 seasons sleeping in my car, it's not so bad but getting changed and going to the toilet can be a challenge. You have to get ventilation otherwise in the evenings everything can get damp from the condensation being absorbed into the mattress/dooner.

A small camping stove is very handy I coped a few -12 nights in a row - the dangers of gas in a car is immense, many people die this way (explosion but mostly suffercation) but warming the frozen air or getting some hot tea (with care) increases the comfort factor.

At home sleep with only a sheet and a window slightly open it will give you an idea of how cold the nights can be. I do this before each trip in preparation (Wollongong) it made it much easier when layered with woolen blankets top and bottom plus heavy dooner and space blanket when there.

Between the car and mattress do a layer of newspaper it's one of the best insulators around.

Sleep with your phone, camera, ipod, computer batteries or they will be flat by morning.

[Silverwitch]

Just wondering how you get your ski gear dry etc for the next day of skiing if its all in the car with you?

[spaz]

There is accommodation that have drying rooms that are easily accessible, hot water heater rooms etc..

You tend to spend time in bars until bedtime, leave wet gear by the fire until you leave.

It has to be dry before it goes in the car.

Somewhere like Skitube car park, I would use the car heater that way the interior would be toasty as well.

[karen97]

Originally posted by Silverwitch:
Just wondering how you get your ski gear dry etc for the next day of skiing if its all in the car with you? I took a spare set of ski clothing with me

[Blowey]

You dry your ski gear buy wearing it in the car with the heater on whilst you travel to wear you are going to sleep. Only takes about 5 minutes to dry gear this way. In any case if it's slightly damp the next morning it only takes your body a few minutes to warm it up once you put it on. Wet ski boots are the worst - but as i say, you put them on and have cold feet for about 5 minutes until your feet warm them up. Just make sure your gear is stuff that keep you warm when it's wet. Polypro, polar fleece, wool etc.. not cotton.

Don't know about using fuel stoves in the car. Just buy a down jacket and you can use it outside. Better still buy a saw and build a big fire to keep warm at night.

People who think camping at the snow is uncomfortable are just doing it incorrectly.

[JSJ]

There are plenty of tracks to rome down and camp by the lake... we've seen so many people doing throughout the whole year.. Waste Point is another idea.. just follow the track to your right and be sure to park some distance away from the waters edge as the lake is low and ground is a LOT softer than it appears.. a few people have got bogged recently.. +1 is one of them!
If you are prepared to tough it out I reckon it's a cheap option... you could make a bit of a romantic adventure out of it ;) The seclusion.. peace and quiet.. aaahh the serenity!

[Caboose]

Originally posted by Blowey:
No worries in a car but chose somewhere nicer than the ski tube car park. Thredbo Diggings, Ngarigo or up in the scrub somewhere. Island Bend area, or even in the park by the lake at jindabyne. There's plenty of people doing it. Coppers don't care as long as you're not leaving stuff set up during the day. i agree - nicer places, but you have to pay park entry

i'm gathering the point of staying at skitube it to avoid driving further up the hill

[Caboose]

BTW Welcome Blowey too

i'm assuming you are the infamous Blowey??

[shaneski]

My 75 year old Austrian neighbour used to sleep in the thredbo carpark in a old milko type truck that he had turned into a campervan. It was a classic. Last year he could not get it registered due to all the glaring defects etc. I was doing some plumbing for him the other day and asked about his skiing. He took me outside to his red ford laser type hatchback and showed me how with the back seats folded down and a matress he had cut at the foam booth on south dowling street he could sleep in the back with his legs in the boot, his skis next to him and with some wires up near the roof to hold all his clothing.
His only dissapointment is that now his legs have gone on him (I swear he shuffles around Bondi at a snails pace), he can only ski from lifts open until 1130 am before the pain becomes unbearable. He then goes to the leisure centre after some home made lunch and does the sauna, pool, hot tub routine for some hours before an early dinner and drinks and retiring to his car for the night.
I dream of one day in my old age still having his passion for skiing.

[Shorty936]

Wow that is awesome Shaneski

[pow pig]

Now that is passion! Good on him!

[Blowey]

Originally posted by Caboose:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Blowey:
No worries in a car but chose somewhere nicer than the ski tube car park. Thredbo Diggings, Ngarigo or up in the scrub somewhere. Island Bend area, or even in the park by the lake at jindabyne. There's plenty of people doing it. Coppers don't care as long as you're not leaving stuff set up during the day. i agree - nicer places, but you have to pay park entry

i'm gathering the point of staying at skitube it to avoid driving further up the hill </font>[/QUOTE]Thanks for the welcome caboose. The last thing i needed was to sign up to another forum but i couldn't help myself!

There are a few options outside of the park. Jump on google maps and look at the options on the side roads around wollondiby and also waste point as someone else mentioned. There there are heaps of other options east of Jindy.

I still think the park at Jindabyne is a good option. You can park there, walk about 1km to pub. Eat and drink then walk back to car to sleep.

[Snow Yeti]

Careful drinking and sleeping in the car. Alcohol does not let your body temp regulate properly - could get really sick!! if you don't keep warm.

[Mazza]

Not for me thanks... Lets evaluate things for a moment...
Lift tickets $100 per day $122 with Skitube
Petrol $100 - $150 roung trip to sydney
Meals $50 per day B'fast, Lunch and Dinner.

Sleeping in your car to save $50 - $70 per day per person to wake up cold, sore and sick and not enjoy your skiing, NO THANKS....

[Shorty936]

I have to agree with Mazza here

[swellmagnet]

fair enough, but not everyone is loaded with dollars either..50-70 over numerous weekends adds up

[SnowSnow]

Originally posted by Mazza:
Not for me thanks... Lets evaluate things for a moment...
Lift tickets $100 per day $122 with Skitube
Petrol $100 - $150 roung trip to sydney
Meals $50 per day B'fast, Lunch and Dinner.

Sleeping in your car to save $50 - $70 per day per person to wake up cold, sore and sick and not enjoy your skiing, NO THANKS.... And for everyone that's not loaded like Mazza that $50-$70 every couple of days is another days lift ticket. :D

[ 19. June 2009, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: SnowSnow ]

[Snow Yeti]

I agree with Mazza ... except on his price of fuel, mine was $250 return last year :( yes every weekend !!!! plus about $22 in tolls doing the run around dropping everyone home

[snowhappy]

I have slept in the car before at Pats Patch (not enough room in my mates van) Me in the Car and my mate in a tent I know now never sleep in the car. In the morning the car was covered in ICE and I was freezing my butt off and I was waking all night to turn the car on and put the heater on then turning it off then wake up cold again. It was a joke when my mate finnally woke up he said he had slept all night and was quite pleasant. So I think the car is just like sleeping a freezer and the tent is a better option.

[Snowcow]

Slept in the car last week at Thredbo diggings. my BF and I both had a sleeping bag each on top of a shared duvet. We bought roast chicken and bread from woolies for dinner and watched a movie from our laptops for entertainment at night.

Didn't think i would survive the night but it ended up being quite romantic so we stayed for two nights. definitely doing it again. its a lot cheaper and more flexible than renting. you can go when the snow is good and leave when its not.

[coops002]

I sleep in the car around Jindy in winter regularly. Like all 'camping' its about preparation... Have all your gear and bedding configuration figured out before you go and have decent bedding. Do a test run in the garage before you go. A Ten minute test will tell you if you going to be comfy for the night.
I do it exactly the same as Snowcow, a quilt underneath, then a good quality sleeping bag on top. portable DVD player on dash for a movie. crack the window a little for ventilation, and relax! Never had a problem, always been warm and comfy as.

[Blowey]

Originally posted by Mazza:
Not for me thanks... Lets evaluate things for a moment...
Lift tickets $100 per day $122 with Skitube
Petrol $100 - $150 roung trip to sydney
Meals $50 per day B'fast, Lunch and Dinner.

Sleeping in your car to save $50 - $70 per day per person to wake up cold, sore and sick and not enjoy your skiing, NO THANKS.... It's not just about the money saving. It's the ability to make a decision to go at 7pm the night before. Not to have to worry about finding the keys to the room at 1am etc.. and being able to leave or change resorts without having to worry about prepaid accomodation.

Plus i'd rather sleep in my own swag than a bed that a thousand other people have slept in.

As i said earlier, if you are waking up cold, sore and sick you are doing something very wrong, especially if sleeping in the car. All you have to do to get warm in the morning is start the engine 10 minutes before you get up and run the heater.

I'm not rich but i'm also not poor. I just prefer to spend my money on stuff that is fun. And i like to have the choice of being able to go skiing when conditions are good. Not having to worry about finding formal accomodation is one less impedement.

[John Deere]

I put a van down the snow quite a few years ago...not because I couldn't affors the 50-70 a night but for the very reason mentioned above....I want to be able to listen to a snow report and then jump in the car and still have somewhere to lay my head......it has worked for me...of course now I am fortunate enough to have my van at a friends place rather than in the park, so it is a bit more convenient again!!!!

[kneedeep]

free power at sk8t park in jindy take a blow heater and all good smile.gif

[Legolas]

graemlins/big_laugh.gif what's this thread about anyway?

[SnowFlake]

Get a decent alpine quality hiking tent; one time outlay and all year round use.

[spaz]

It's a bit obvious having a tent set up in a car park. Though I have seen it-in Thredbo.

[claydough]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by John Deere:
I put a van down the snow quite a few years ago...not because I couldn't affors the 50-70 a night but for the very reason mentioned above....I want to be able to listen to a snow report and then jump in the car and still have somewhere to lay my head......it has worked for me...of course now I am fortunate enough to have my van at a friends place rather than in the park, so it is a bit more convenient again!!!! [/QAny idea of the cost of long term van site at Jindy JD ? Have thought of this for long time smile.gif