Province caters to Albertans' obsession with RV camping

Camping often conjures up images of tenting under starry skies, but as the May long weekend launches Albertas season, the provinces campgrounds will be dominated by recreational vehicles.

Albertans are big fans of camping on wheels.

• Alberta RV sales are up by 42%, says industry group
• Calgarians fondly remember Volkswagen vans
• Alberta camping website prepares to take reservations again

Industry statistics show 26 per cent of Albertans own an RVa greater saturation than in any other province. Alberta also boasted the highest retail sales numbers in Canada, with $796 million worth of RVs sold in 2011.

Even Albertas tourism minister has tried comfort camping. Richard Starke borrowed his in-laws camper van last year to tour around the province with his wife.

Albertans love their recreation vehicles, said Starke.

We live in an absolutely beautiful province and it just beckons for people to just get outdoors and enjoy the outdoors, especially in the summer months. And I guess the second reason is we have a very robust economy. People have disposableincome that allows for them to purchase these units.

Sales booming

Edmonton grandfather Dean Marchon picked up his first travel trailer this week a brand new, one-bedroom unit with a pull-out couch. He and his wife Barbara plan to park it on a lot they own and spend their weekends and holidays enjoying time at the lake with their five-year-old granddaughter.

We dont like the tenting, he said. The tent doesnt always stay dry, youre cold. Were spoiled. We dont want to go through that. Wed rather have something thats really comfortable. Put a movie on if the weathers bad, listen to music. Its relaxed.

At Rangeland RV and Trailer Sales north of Calgary, owner Dania Filippetto says RVs are appealing to Albertans working in demanding jobs.

People in this province are so busy right now, she said. Clients are happily working more hours than you can shake a stick at, and to be able to take the family out for the weekend and create some memories its a big thing.

Every year, RVs get bigger, but the large ones arent the most popular on the lot. Buyers want to get off the ground, even if its in a tent trailer, Filippetto said.And they want to camp in the spring and fall, when the overnight temperature sometimes drops below zero.

Now, with the RVs that are being made, you can use them four seasons if you want. We have a lot of people who are buying stoves and ovens to go out and do deep-fried turkey cooking for Thanksgiving weekend, said Filippetto.

Province adds more RV sites

The Alberta government is paying attention. In 2009, the province commissioned a study on the popularity of the RV. Thereport found that 40 per cent of Albertans camp, and three out of four are sleeping in an RV.

But Albertas public and private campgrounds werent keeping up with the demand. More than half of the campsites didnt offer power hookupsand of those that did, mostwere private campgrounds.

This week, Starke announced changes to several popular campgrounds in the province, including adding larger full-service sites and additional sites with power hook-ups.

The idea here is to meet the demandsof the travelling public of the consumer and to make sure theres an increased opportunity for people to visit our parks and enjoy the beauty that is here, Starke said.

With customers at Rangeland RV Trailer Sales worried about reserving their May long weekend site months in advance, the move is long overdue, said Filippetto.

I dont know where people are parking all these new RVs. We are seeing business up 25 to 30 per cent. So where are people parking them?

The case for tenting

But RVs arent for every Albertan.

DavidThalheimergrew up takingmotorhometrips with his family. Now hes an avid tent camper who is studyingeco-tourismat a Calgary university and sells gear at Campers Village. Families can buy a two-burner stove and a large tent with a front-porch style vestibule for a fraction of the price of an RV, he said.

Thalheimerrecommends leaving the gadgets at home and enjoying the stars.

• Is old-fashioned camping going out of style?
• Parks Canada introduces new option for campers seeking comfort

You really just have to try it, he said. You feel like you are more in the wilderness than if you are in a motorhome or an RV where you kind of have all the amenities that you would if you were still at home.