My winter survival tips – van versus farmhouse. The first year in my van was a winter spent in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. Now in my 5th year being a nomad, I find myself living in our family farmhouse in Northern Alberta. Both are home, both are meaningful, and both demand a completely different kind of care—especially when winter settles in deep.
Here’s a look at what it’s really like to travel, maintain, and live in these two worlds in Canada.
Vanlife Winter Survival: Compact Living, Constant Attention
Living in a van in the middle of winter sounds simple—small space, fewer things, and the ability to move whenever you need to. In 2022 I was living stealth in my van in Vancouver, British Columbia After weeks of gray skies, rain and then the snow arrived with temperatures dropping below –10°C, simplicity turned into a careful balancing act.
Daily Realities of Winter Vanlife
In a van, everything is close together, including the problems.
Heat, moisture, and power become your three main lifelines.
• Condensation Control
Frozen doors, frost on the inside of windows, dampness, and wiping moisture becomes a daily chore. My biggest challenge came when I found mold under my mattress. I didn’t even think to check and when I did it was too late. My mattress and the plywood bed frame had black spots.
I gave it a good clean with bleach and water but needed a long term solution. I bought an air flow membrane to put between the mattress and the wood. It worked!
If you don’t stay on top of condensation, things could start smelling musty and mold can set in really quickly.
• Heater Vigilance
In winter a heater becomes the heart of your home. Having an well insulated van can help as well. However, one hiccup and the entire space can freeze within hours.
I use a propane heater that kept me warm and helped to keep the damp down. The main issue with heating my van was that it would heat up quickly but was challenging to keep it an even temperature especially when it was below freezing.
• Keeping Batteries Alive
My AGM batteries worked well although they can slow down or stop at extreme cold. Insulating or warming them becomes part of your routine. The biggest challenge in a Western Canadian winter is keeping them charged due to the lack of sun.
I rely on my solar panels to charge my batteries and the weeks of rainy days made this a huge challenge. I learned to conserve my energy use by turning the invertor off at night. Thankfully I also had family I could go to when I needed to top up my batteries.
• Starting and Driving Regularly
Cold drains batteries and thickens fluids. The van needs movement as much as you do. I was stealth camping so I moved at least twice every day. I had a day spot and then in the evening moved to a night spot.
Storm or Weekly Tasks for Winter Survival
Winter storms make van maintenance a cycle of “check, warm, clear, repeat.”
• Clear snow off the roof and solar panels
• Keep vents and fans from freezing shut
• Lubricate frozen door locks and rubber seals
• Refill propane and water more frequently, because everything burns or freezes faster
Seasonal Musts
• Winter tires
• Block heater (if the weather is going to be below – 20 C)
• Fuel additives (diesel especially)
• Finding safe, wind-sheltered parking for cold nights
Vanlife maintenance motto:
Everything is tiny, but nothing can be ignored—because the cold doesn’t forgive.
Farmhouse Winter Living: Big Spaces, Big Systems, Big Responsibility
Switching from the small, self-contained world of the van to a full farmhouse is like jumping from a canoe into a freighter. Suddenly everything is bigger—warmer, steadier, but far more demanding.
A farmhouse in Northern Alberta isn’t just a building. It’s a machine with dozens of moving parts, and winter tests every single one of them.
Daily or Frequent Tasks for Winter Survival
• Furnace Checks
Monitoring sounds, airflow, temperature consistency, and filters. A furnace hiccup here is urgent—not optional. One thing I learned was filters need to be changed regularly.
• Draft Patrol
Older farmhouses have charm, but charm often comes with cold spots and sneaky drafts. Rolled up blankets keep the drafts from the bottom of the doors.
• Clearing Snow
Walkways, steps, driveways—it all needs constant attention for safety and access. We’ve had a BIG snowfall this December so I am out everyday keeping the deck and a path to the garage cleared. Thankfully we have a governement grader that I can have to clear the driveway.
Weekly or Storm-Related Tasks
• Checking the Roof for Buildup
Heavy snow can stress shingles and cause leaks. Thankfully we had a new roof put on the farmhouse last year so all is good with that.
• Inspecting Pipes
Basement pipes, crawl space lines, and exterior walls need regular checks or heat tape. I do a walk about in the house and garage regularly to make sure there are no leaks or visiable problems.
• Monitoring Water Flow
Freeze-thaw cycles can surprise you with pumps or drains. We rely on a pond for water for our toilet, shower and washing. Normally we have a pump for air flow to help keep the pond clean. We are currently having problems with this – something we need to look at.
Seasonal Requirements
• Chimney and vent inspections
• Window and door sealing
• Winterizing outbuildings
• Managing heat bills and fuel sources
• Checking sump pumps during mild spells
Farmhouse maintenance motto:
Everything is larger, slower, and more expensive—but absolutely essential.
Van vs. Farmhouse: The Winter Survival Comparison
Here’s what stands out most when living between both worlds:
1. Size and Complexity
• Van:
Small systems, simple routines, everything within arm’s reach.
• Farmhouse:
Multiple systems spread across a large structure—plumbing, heating, roofing, electricity, yard access, and weather concerns.
2. Responsibility
• Van:
Just you. If things go wrong, you deal with it on your own timeline.
• Farmhouse:
You’re responsible for other people’s comfort, safety, and access—24/7.
3. Heat and Energy
• Van:
Quick to heat, quick to cool.
A small failure is a big problem.
• Farmhouse:
Slow to heat, slow to cool.
But the furnace must never fail.
4. Cost and Effort
• Van:
Fuel, propane, occasional freeze-related fixes.
• Farmhouse:
Heating bills, repairs, snow equipment, and upgrades. Our water situation will be a big cost in the future.
5. Emotional Energy
• Van:
Feels free, simple, minimal, mobile.
But winter requires constant attention.
• Farmhouse:
Feels grounded, warm, and stable.
But the responsibility is heavier and continuous.
Living Between Two Worlds
Experiencing winter from both homes has taught me that each lifestyle builds a different kind of resilience for winter survival.
The van teaches self-reliance. You learn to listen to the weather, trust your instincts, and adapt quickly.
The farmhouse teaches stewardship. You’re caring for a structure, a property, and people who depend on you.
Both homes shape you in their own way—one through independence, one through responsibility.
And in the quiet moments, like digging out the farmhouse steps I am grateful that I can experience winter from two completely different worlds, each with its own rhythm, its own challenges, and its own rewards.
Winter may be long and fierce in Northern Alberta, but it’s also a teacher—and I’m learning something new every day, no matter which home I’m currently in.