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If you travel the country following 70-degree weather, you’ll likely never encounter snow. But to be safe, we’ve created a list of five states you’ll want to avoid this winter. Are you wondering what state gets the most snow? You might be surprised.
Let’s dive in!
Can You Camp During the Winter in Your RV?
Winter camping can be a magical experience. Seeing the glistening snow on the trees in the early morning might be a picture-perfect camping adventure. But your dream can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t prepare.
Many RVers head south during winter to the sunshine of the Florida Keys, South Padre Island, or Quartzite, Arizona. But others stick it out in colder areas like the Northeast or Michigan.
As long as you prepare your rig in advance for the sub-freezing temperatures, you can camp during the winter in your RV.
Is It Safe To Winter Camp?
The biggest risks when camping in colder climates are freezing pipes and hoses and using unsafe heaters inside your rig. You’ll want to invest in a heated water hose, tank heaters, and skirting to protect your pipes and tanks.
You’ll also want to use safe indoor heaters to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical hazards. But if you have the right gear and your RV is in good working condition, you don’t need to avoid winter camping.
If you want to tent camp during the winter, check out our article “Winter Camping Tips You’re Going to Want to Know.”
What State Gets the Most Snow?
If you thought the answer to which state gets the most snow would be Alaska, you’re wrong. This state may hold other snow records, but not this one. You must head to the Northeast to visit the state with the most snow.
Vermont averages about 54 days of snowfall and around 90 inches each year. The largest amount of snowfall occurs in December. However, the record for most snowfall in a single month belongs to January. In 2010, a winter storm dumped over 33 inches of snow on Vermont over January 2nd and 3rd.
What State Has the Record for Most Snow?
Mount Baker Ski Area in Washington holds the greatest snowfall record, receiving 1,140 inches of snow from July 1, 1998 to June 30, 1999. Silver Lake, Colorado, has the record for most snowfall in a day, with 76 inches. And Tamarack, California, received the most snow in a calendar month in January 1911 when 390 inches fell.
The greatest snowfall at a weather station over one year occurred in 1953 in Thompson Pass, Alaska. Over 974 inches fell that year. Oregon and Utah have the second and third highest amounts, with 822 inches falling at Crater Lake National Park in 1949 and over 810 inches falling in Alta, Utah, in 1984.
The Snowiest States in the Contiguous United States
The snowiest places in the United States include Mount Rainier and Mount Baker in Washington. These towering peaks receive approximately 645 inches of snow annually. But Washington State isn’t even on our list of five snowiest states in the Lower 48. Let’s find out which states top the list!
1. Vermont
Since Vermont is the snowiest state in the Lower 48, it’s a popular skiing destination. Places like Killington Resort and Stowe Mountain Resort welcome visitors until April or May.
Killington Resort has 213 trails spread across six mountain peaks, while Stowe has Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont at 4,395 feet. These resorts enjoy the first flakes in October to the last snowfall in April.
Keep in Mind: RV set up mistakes are common, but you can keep them from happening to you! These are the 5 most common RV Setup mistakes to avoid
2. Maine
Maine is the second state with the most snow. Mainers experience long, cold, brutal winters with about 77 inches of snow yearly. Because of the varied landscape, however, coastal regions may see less than 24 inches of snow, while the northern interior can see up to 100 inches during the winter.
Maine is a popular destination in the summer when temperatures are much cooler than the rest of the country. And the fall colors are spectacular. But you’ll want to avoid it by November.
3. New Hampshire
It’s no surprise that New Hampshire gets almost as much snow as Vermont and Maine, considering it sits between the two states. It averages about 71-72 inches of snowfall annually. The snowiest season dumped more than 170 inches on the state.
New Hampshire is another popular fall destination because of the brilliant colors of the White Mountains. From leaf-peeping to apple picking to gondola rides to scenic drives, the Granite State offers fantastic opportunities to connect with nature in October. But don’t visit any later to avoid the first snowfall.
4. Colorado
Moving to the other side of the country, Colorado is the next snowiest state in the Lower 48. The Rockies create perfect conditions for heavy snowfall, so Colorado gets about 67-68 inches yearly.
But the air here is drier than in the New England states, which sit along the Atlantic coastline. So the overall total is lower.
Keep in Mind: If you’re wanting to camp in one of these states, you’ll need to consider purchasing one of these Cold Weather Travel Trailers to survive winter!
5. Michigan
Finally, Michigan rounds out the list of the snowiest states. Like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, Michigan has more moisture, which leads to excessive snowfall in some parts of the state.
Known as the “lake effect,” cold air from Canada passes over the Great Lakes, dumping 60-61 inches of snow on Michigan each winter.
How Much Snow Does Alaska Get?
When discussing what state gets the most snow, we didn’t include Alaska. Even though it’s known for its cold climate, the state only averages about 64-65 inches of snowfall yearly. However, some locations within this massive state receive exponentially more snow.
For example, Whittier, Alaska, averages around 240 inches of snowfall annually. Thompson Pass, the snowiest city in the state, receives an astounding 550 inches of snow every winter!
You Might Want To Avoid the Northeast This Winter Season
The moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and New England’s mountains create perfect conditions for heavy snow during winter. If you want a place to camp, you’ll want to avoid the states that get the most snow: Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine after November.
Otherwise, you might get stuck up there for several months. It might be a beautiful sight, but you’ll enjoy it more from a cozy cottage window than an RV.
Do you enjoy winter camping? Would you attempt to spend the winter in New England in your RV?
