“Van lifers” share their top tips for travelling across Canada
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Arguably, no one knows Canada’s backroads better than the “van lifers” who have travelled its roads. Living in their vehicles for months at a time, these pro travellers know all the best camping (and restroom) stops, how to make a dollar last, and the most picturesque places to park across the country.
Want to know what life is like beyond the Instagram feed? We spoke with van lifers to find out — and got their advice on how to travel in Canada in the process.
Cody & Sasha, owners of Canadian Van Lifers
Cody and Sasha took full advantage of 2017’s sesquicentennial celebration when they moved into their van for six months to explore Canada’s national parks, which were free that year. Now, they describe themselves as weekend warriors, who rent out their van from their Canmore home as a side hustle.
Wheels: Janis, a 2002 Mitsubishi Delica
Van life real talk: “It’s not sexy. Travelling as a couple is fun and romantic when you’re sitting by the fire cuddling under a blanket — but it’s hard to get jiggy with it when your privacy is limited and your bed is a modified mattress with little head room.”
Best packing tip: “Bring a layer for every temperature. In the Rockies, it can go from – 5°C at night to + 35°C during the day. We always have our down jackets and rain jackets on hand.”
Don’t miss: “Nelson, B.C. This place will steal your heart.”
Hannah Kacary, blogger at ThatAdventurer.co.uk
It was in the deepest cold of February that Hannah Kacary and her partner set about converting their van in a Home Depot parking lot. That was back in 2017. Today, the British couple calls Vancouver home, but continues to use their van on weekends to go rock climbing in Squamish, skiing in Whistler and on longer adventures to Vancouver Island.
Wheels: Elvis, a white Ford E150 cargo van
Top tip: “Make sure you’ve always got plenty of gas — you never know exactly where your next gas station is going to be in certain parts of Canada.”
Don’t forget to pack: Tea. “It might be because we’re English, but pulling over and taking in the views with a cup of tea is one of the best parts of travelling by camper van.”
Favourite camping spot: “Near Harrison Lake in British Columbia. You get incredible views of the lake and the mountains that surround it.”
Jesse Bromm, glass blower & artist
It was the end of a relationship that spurred glassblower and artist Jesse Bromm to abandon the comforts of his Toronto digs.
“I always wanted to live in a truck camper,” he says of Ghost, the camper he built. “Living minimally and mobile just fits my personality really well — and this way I can save for a house or an art studio.”
After crossing the country from east to west, he now parks full-time in Vancouver, where he shares his latest home on wheels with Billie, a border collie-heeler cross.
Wheels: Rat King, a 1970 Tri-star truck camper
Top tip: “Get a good wild camping app. With iOverlander, you can save money and find great hidden places to stay.”
On the biggest challenges of van life: “Showers and getting enough physical activity are hard, especially in the winter. Luckily the solution is the same for both: don’t be afraid to spend money on gym day passes.”
Don’t miss: “The Yukon. I went all the way to Tuktoyaktuk. It was fall, so there weren’t many people and it was a little chilly, but it was so worth it and unlike anywhere else in Canada.”
Michael Pace, owner of Dwell Vans
Like Jesse Bromm, Michael Pace was once an artist living in Toronto. That isn’t the only thing the two have in common; like Bromm, Pace and his partner were partially driven to van life by increasing real estate prices. After spending five months travelling through primarily eastern Canada, Pace and his partner now run Dwell Vans, a rental business with two vans for hire, including the one that he travelled through Canada in.
Wheels: André 2500, a 2004 Dodge Sprinter
Top tip: Volunteer on a WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) work exchange for a prime parking spot and a hot meal. “It’s a great way to travel on a budget while meeting people,” says Pace.
Don’t miss: “Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland. It has absolutely incredible hiking. It’s also way off-the-beaten path for most typical road trips.”
Wiley Wolfe, wildlife photographer
It was during a trip across Canada in a small RV that Wiley Wolfe first started to consider making it a full-time lifestyle. Last month, his dream became a reality when he won a recently retired ambulance in a government auction.
Wheels: Roxy Wolfehouse, a 2009 Chevrolet/Crestline ambulance
Top tip: “Get off the main highway. There is so much more to see and a more enjoyable pace on the secondary highways and backroads.”
Don’t miss: Kluane National Park, Yukon. “Driving up through northern B.C .into the Yukon is the most spectacular drive I’ve ever done.”
Van life real talk: “Not having an address is a challenge. A lot of things are paperless in 2019, but a lot of “official” communication requires a postal address. What are you supposed to do if you don’t have one? And what about those Amazon deliveries?”
Amelia Gillies, photographer and outdoor adventurer
An Australian outdoor adventurer born to Kiwi and Canadian parents, Amelia Gillies and her husband decided to explore her roots when they flew across the world over a year ago. One of their first purchases was a second-hand SUV, which they spent six months living in before settling in Vancouver full-time.
Wheels: Ernie, a 2004 Lexus GX470
Van life real talk: “Provincial and national park campsites are expensive. They’re in beautiful areas with great facilities, but we used them mostly as a weekly treat to have a shower. Instead, we stayed everywhere from gas stations, to dead-end roads and recreation sites. WikiCamps is a great resource for this.”
Don’t miss: “Newfoundland is quiet, desolate and spectacular. It’s unlike anywhere else in Canada, with friendly people and stunning scenery.”
Tor & Jasmine of the Gay Conversion
In recent weeks, there’s been a lull on Tor Felicitas and Jasmine Orr’s Instagram account, the enviably named @the.gay.conversion. That’s because they’ve been travelling the cellphone service-free roads of Alaska. Currently, they’re in Yukon’s Kluane National Park, one of their favourite destinations to-date.
Wheels: David Roads, a 1996 GMC Safari
Top tip: Hit up visitor information centres. “These centres give you tips from the locals, including camping options, and often have water refill stations and free wifi.”
Don’t miss: “The Yukon has breathtaking scenery, active wildlife, wonderful seafood and a strong acknowledgement of its Indigenous routes. We are privileged to be able to call this land home and it’s always encouraging to visit places that are striving towards reconciliation. Plus, the government campgrounds are inexpensive, beautiful and generally have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.”
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