F?or dedicated RV enthusiasts, taking the family on a camping trip between the months of December and March is a distinctively Canadian experience. Traversing snow covered roads, camping in winter facilities, and staying warm amidst the brisk winds of the season evokes a pioneer enthusiasm.

Why do we RV during the winter months? Because we can. Because we’re Canadian, Because as Gilles Vigneault, the French-Canadian folk singer declared “Mon pays ce n’est pas un pays, c’est l’hiver” (my country is not a country – it is winter) and “mon chemin ce n’est pas un chemin, c’est la neige” (my road is not a road, it is the snow).

So we pack our provisions, gather the family, and head off on the RV roads to adventure… even if we only travel long enough in the cold winter weather to reach a sunbelt destination, we have conquered the season, and exercised our option to be Canadian RV’ers, prepared for the weather, and determined to let nothing stand in the way of an RV excursion.

For those intrepid RV enthusiasts who will join us on the winter roads, Tech Editor Garth Cane has provided a wealth of advice in his RV Tips column. Wagonmasters M.B. and Karen Wilson reveal their approach to the changing Canadian seasons, declaring that in this country, there are really only two seasons, RV, and Hockey, so they take their RV on the road to follow their favourite
hockey teams.

If your winter RV activities consist of planning your fair weather trips, we offer three intriguing destinations – Norm Rosen’s RV Lifestyle Excellent Adventure to Niagara Falls, Ontario; Jim Stoness’ voyage across B.C.’s Chilcotin Plateau to Bella Coola; and Art Dack’s Southern Alberta excursion… three distinctively different trips celebrating a trio of Canada’s most scenic locations.

This issue marks a very special anniversary, as our Cooking Ladies, Lamont Mackay and Phyllis Hinz, celebrate the beginning of their tenth year as RV Lifestyle columnists. What better reason to whip up a batch of ginger snaps, settle down beside a roaring fireplace, and relax with the latest issue of RV Lifestyle Magazine.

With the snows swirling about, it’s time to drop by your local RV show to see the very latest in design and technology. Our Show Calendar on page 74 will help you locate the event in your area, and an ideal reason to visit your local RV dealer for a personally guided tour of the 2008 models.

Next month, RV Lifestyle Magazine will publish our 37th annual RV Buyer’s Guide issue. This compendium of RV’s available in Canada is a special edition, included as a bonus if you subscribe today. Take a moment to check out the special subscription offer on page 77, and your copy of the 2008 RV Buyer’s Guide can be delivered right to your door – it sure beats trekking through the snow banks to the local newsstand!