RVwest Insider

Keith Powell

Keith Powell is the publisher and sales director of RV West magazine which is part of the Koocanusa Publications group.

Picture of inside of RV, with woman sitting at table.
RVwest Insider

Wildcat introduces wide body Fifth Wheel

The Wildcat division of Elkhart, Ind.,-based Forest River, Inc., is expanding its product offering with the introduction of a wide body series of fifth wheels targeting the mid-priced market segment.

Picture of grizzly bear and cub crossing a road.
RVwest Insider

Bear encounters: what you need to know

Bears are one of our province’s wild species and we need to be cautious and alert when we head out into bear habitat. 

Picture of campfire in foreground, with silver Airstream trailer in background.
RVwest Insider

Provincial parks upgrades will benefit families, create jobs

The Alberta government is announcing improvements to several provincial parks in the Calgary-Kananaskis region to mark Canada’s Parks Day on July 16. 

Picture of campground sign that says they are full.
RVwest Insider

British Columbia needs more campsites, says Minister Polak

Essentially, the root cause of issues with the BC Parks reservation system is too many people trying to book too few campsites, according to B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak. 

Mary Polak, BC Minister of Environment.
RVwest Insider

Opinion-Editorial: Improving access to provincial campgrounds

B.C. Minister Polak addresses Discover Camping reservation service.

 

Picture of RV backing boat down a boat ramp.
RVwest Insider

Mandatory stop: Watercraft Inspection Program

Watercraft inspection stations are open across B.C. from April to October - there are five stations located along the B.C.-Alberta border, and three along the B.C.-United States border. 

Graphic of Thor and Jayco acquisition, showing Jayco fifth wheel.
RVwest Insider

Thor announces acquisition of Jayco for $576 million

The transaction is a positive, strategic fit for both companies—Jayco brings a lineup of innovative products into the Thor family, across multiple product categories.

Picture of RV with towering mountains and pine tree in the background.
RVwest Insider

“Block-booking” of campsites raises ire of local B.C. campers

The 2016 summer camping season has just gotten underway, and amid alllegations of campsite scalping and mass 'block-booking' of sites destined for resale to foreign tourists, BC Parks is already feeling the heat. 

Scenic picture of tent, picnic table, with lake and mountains in background.
RVwest Insider

Campers pre-plan camping trips 365 days a year—so don’t wait to the week of your trip to book!

The Camping and RVing BC Coalition provides some handy tips to avoid disappointment when booking a campground site this summer. 

Enjoy an ice cream at nearby Waskesiu, the area's commercial hub, a short hop from Namekus Lake, Saskatchewan.
RVwest Insider

Explore’s Top 10 campsites in Northern Canada, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

In the most recent issue of Explore magazine, they have selected the Top 35 campsites across Canada—here is a selection of 10 of those campgrounds located in northern Canada, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 

Picture of an Airstream Inc. vehicle.
RVwest Insider

Airstream Inc. announces top dealer rankings – Alberta’s Vision RV top touring coach dealer

At the recent dealer meeting for Airstream Inc., the dealer announced its top rankings based on retail units sold between May 2015 to May 2016. 

A trail through old growth forest at Camp Fife, Haida Gwaii, BC.
RVwest Insider

Top 10 campsites in Western Canada

Explore Magazine, Canada's outdoor adventure magazine, recently published a list of the 35 best campsites in Canada—here is a list of 10 of those sites, located in B.C. and Alberta. 

Picture of the Power Parasol installation at the LazyDays/KOA campground.
RVwest Insider

Made in the Shade: staying cool in Tucson and saving energy too

This new innovation was recently completed and it features the installation of two PowerParasols® solar shade structures which allows guests to camp, gather and even barbeque under a patented structure that produces clean solar energy.

Picture of RV with aurora in background.
RVwest Insider

13 RV dealers raise $178,903 toward their goal for Northern Alberta

13 RV dealers across Canada – The Adventurer Group – have banded together to aid the communities of Northern Alberta by raising funds for Canadian Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse Canada and registered local community groups helping to rebuild the region.

A man guiding a tourist group.
RVwest Insider

Tourism is up but so are staff shortages in BC campground, accommodation and attraction sectors

B.C. tourism operators are facing a campground, hotel and tourist attraction staff crunch, so states a recent report in Business in Vancouver.

Picture of Mike Snell and Paul Cassidy.
RVwest Insider

Erwin Hymer Group North America Inc. welcomes Mike Snell to their sales team

Mike comes to the Erwin Hymer Group with over 23 years of experience in the RV Industry.