Five Upgrades to Make Your Sprinter Go Further: Winter Edition

Winter doesn't just change the landscape - it changes we way we use our vans.

Whether you're lining up for first chair, setting a skin track in the backcountry, or breaking trail on snowshoes, winter puts new demands on your setup. Roads get tighter, days get shorter, and gear gets bulkier, heavier, and a whole lot wetter. A winter-ready van keeps everything running smoothly - so you can spend more time out there doing what you love, and less time dealing with the little headaches that can come with cold-weather travel. The best part? Most of these upgrades earn their keep long after the snow melts.

If you haven't already read our original Go Further guide, that's a great place to start. Most of these foundational upgrades become even more valuable once winter rolls in.

Out here, winter isn't something we just tolerate. For many of us in Western Canada, it's what we count down to - the reason we live close to the Rockies in the first place. Storm cycles, mid-week powder chases, half-geared-up breakfast sandwiches in resort parking lots... yeah, that's our kind of winter. After enough time on the road, you learn quickly which upgrades keep your van moving, organized, and comfortable when the conditions are anything but.

So if you're gearing up for the months ahead, here are the winter upgrades we recommend.

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Ski & Board Box

Winter gear takes up space fast - especially when it's wet, sharp-edged, or crusted in snow. A dedicated ski and board box gives your gear a lockable home, keeping melt and slush contained instead of spreading across your van floor.

Built for the rear of your Sprinter, it keeps skis, boards, poles, skins, and bulky extras organized and ready to go. So when Revvy lights up with 40-cm overnight forecast, all you have to do is get in and drive.

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Why we recommend it:

• Protect your investment: Lock your skis and boards away from weather, road salt, and busy parking lots.
• Keep the interior clean: No dripping snow melt or muddy edges inside the living space.
• Make space for people and layers: Free up the interior so boots, bags, and bodies fit comfortably.
• Built for real Canadian use: Rugged Canadian construction built for freeze-thaw cycles and heavy snow.

The bottom line: You spent good money on those skis. Keep them dry, safe, and out of the way, so you can focus on the descent, not the mess that comes after.

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Insulated Ripstop Cab Curtain

You know that moment when you shut the sliding door, kick off your boots, and finally feel warm again? In winter, holding that warmth is everything. An Insulated Ripstop Curtain helps by separating your cab from the living space, creating a smaller zone to heat and helping your van feel noticeably cozier after dark.

And honestly, it makes mornings easier, too. It's a lot less tempting to stay buried under the covers when the air inside your van stays warm enough to pull on base layers and get moving - instead of bracing for that first hit of cold. Because the only thing worse than waking up early for first chair is missing it because you couldn't bring yourself to get dressed.

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Why we recommend it:

• Keeps warmth in your space: Creates a smaller, more efficient zone to heat.
• Reduces heater runtime: Helps maintain temperature without constant cycling.
• Cuts condensation: Less fog, frost, and overnight moisture buildup on cold mornings.
• Adds fast privacy: Roll it down when you need coverage, then stow it away when you don't.

The bottom line: Small upgrade, big payoff - especially when it's dark, cold, and you're trying to actually enjoy being out there.

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Maxtrax Recovery Boards

Traction disappears fast after a storm - especially when you're deep down a backroad with no easy turnaround. Maxtrax are one of the simplest, most reliable self-recovery tools you can carry. No tow straps, no awkward favours from passing strangers.

Built for winter's worst - ice, packed snow, soft road edges where shovelling alone won't cut it. At last year's Know Your Sprinter course, Agile Offroad's John Brindell reminded us that self-recovery is often the safest recovery. Maxtrax make that fast and doable.

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Why we recommend it:

• Instant self recovery: Gives your tires something solid to bite into when traction drops.
• Made for winter surfaces: Effective on packed snow, where shovelling alone won't cut it.
• Lightweight and fast to deploy: Easy to grab, position, and stow back on the van.
• Not just for winter: Equally useful on mud, sand, and soft forest service roads during spring and summer adventures.

‍The bottom line: Getting stuck sucks. Getting unstuck on your own, in under five minutes, without calling for help? That's the kind of self-sufficiency that defines a solid winter setup.

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Auxiliary Lighting

If you're squeezing every minute out of a powder day- first, chair, last chair, apres, and everything in between - you're almost guaranteed at least one approach or exit in the dark. Between early starts, late returns, and winter's short daylight windows, visibility becomes a real part of the safety equation.

Auxiliary lighting transforms how confidently you can move through winter conditions. Amber lights are especially effective in snow - they cut glare, improve contrast, and help you see texture instead of a wall of white.

Better lighting means safer navigation on snowy highways, clearer definition on unplowed side roads, and easier transitions through resort parking lots long before - or after - the sun shows up. If you've ever driven through Rogers Pass after work on a Friday, or pushed over the Coquihalla during a storm, you already know how much of a difference that makes.

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Why we recommend it:

• Perfect for dawn patrols and last-chair exits: See the road clearly when the day starts or ends in darkness.
• Better visibility in storms and flurries: Amber lighting reduces glare and improves definition in falling snow and whiteout patches.
• Safer maneuvering in remote spots: Light up trailheads, parking lots, or tight pullouts when reversing or repositioning.
• Reduces fatigue: Clear, consistent lighting makes long winter drives less straining.

‍The bottom line: Winter driving is already demanding. Don't make it harder by squinting through stock headlights in a snowstorm at 5:30 pm.

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All-Terrain Wheels & Tires

Winter doesn't wait for the parking lot. It shows up on the drive there - in the slush spray off semi tires, the shaded corners that stay icy all day, and the surprise snow squall that forces you to slow things down. One minute you're cruising , the next you're white-knuckling it through blowing snow and hoping the next corner looks like the last one did.

A good set of all-terrain wheels paired with winter-rated tires gives your Sprinter noticeably improved traction, braking, and control when roads are wet, slick, or snow-covered. It's one of the most confidence-boosting upgrades you can make, because once conditions change, there's no shortcut: you either have grip or you don't. And when you're loaded with gear, passengers, and a full tank of weekend stoke, that stability matters.

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Why we recommend it:

• Traction you can trust: Improves grip in snow, slush, and icy patches when conditions change fast.
• Better stopping power: Adds stability and control when braking on slick winter roads.
• More confidence on approaches: Keeps your van feeling planted on resort roads and trailhead access routes.
• Multi-season capability: Performs reliably on gravel, mud, and rough roads long after winter ends.

The bottom line: Winter driving can be unpredictable. A solid wheel and tire setup is a smart move for anyone who drives through winter instead of around it.

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Winter rewards preparation. With the right upgrades, your Sprinter stays warm , capable, and ready for whatever the forecast throws your way - making winter travel safer, smoother, and a lot more fun. The right setup won't change the weather, but it will change how your van handles it.

Because winter is one of the best seasons to travel in a van - if your setup is ready for it. With the right gear in place, the dark drives, snowy trailheads, and wet piles of equipment all become part of the rhythm rather than barriers to it. Winter doesn't slow a well-prepared Sprinter down; it opens up a whole new kind of adventure.

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