Lake Havasu skiers??

Havasu is not a good lake for skiing.  There are probably a few spots up river that aren't too bad but definitely not worth the drive.  We went this last Memorial Day and probably will never go back.  It's a big boat party lake.  Also, the water was pretty cold in May so Feb wouldn't be much fun.

Regardless what destination you choose the long trips can be much easier in the Van.  I went to Detroit from California trailering both ways.   Used a Dodge Sprinter/Mercedes Sprinter Van, it was the short wheelbase version with single rear axles.  Mercedes Diesel V6.  Towing we averaged 16 MPG and we were towing very hard on a deadline so we went 70-85 the entire trip, towed a Toyota Camry back and brought a 66 Corvette back home so towing weight was around 5,000 pounds both ways..  Had a full bed in the back so if you were not driving you could actually sleep very comfortably.   Only bad part, my buddy was driving through Michigan, I was exhausted after a long time at the wheel so I was sound asleep in the rear bed.  I woke up about 2 feet in the air above the bed and landed only to be bounced out again.  I got up and my buddy says Sorry, in Michigan they call these Craters pot holes.   The roads were terrible in Michigan, beat the hell out of our car.   I bet they sell more chassis parts in that state than any other.  Huge Pot Holes were everywhere on the highway.

The southwest isn't really a water skiing destination.  There are plenty of lakes and rivers to go to in the spring/summer/fall but February is winter.  We can get some decent weather that time of year but we can also get really bad weather and either way the water will be on the cool side.  I'm sure plenty of locals do still do water sports that time of year when the weather is good but I wouldn't drive across the country to find out.  I think people ski year round in San Diego Mission Bay but it's salt water.  The earliest we start is April but it is usually windy and the water is cold.  I think Florida would be the place to go for winter water sports.

I guess it would be the same as most lakes.  Depending on the weather and the amount of boat traffic you can probably find some decent water.  We went in October a long time ago and I skied down near the dam.  As James mentioned they have shut down towed water sports in the Wildlife Refuge.  That used to be where the hard core skiers would go.  I remember it was a huge controversy a few years ago and I think it still is.  They originally tried to make it a no wake zone until a state senator got involved and overruled the Fish and Game.  When we were there in May we went up river and I don't remember seeing any signs or buoys so maybe they aren't enforcing it yet.  That is also a consideration you will need a spotter in Az and Ca.  There is a lot of on the water enforcement in that area.  Historically, The Parker Strip has been home to avid water skiers.  That may be a better option.  You can also rent houses on the water in Parker.

Interesting.  I wouldn't hesitate to run my boat at Parker.  The people I know that go there regularly are all running either I/Os or inboards.  Maybe up near the dam it's a problem.  There is a dam that creates the Parker Strip and the river below that can be sketchy.