The reflectex in the penthouse makes a huge difference on inside temps. We regularly camp in the winter time in temps down to the single digits. I have had my share of frozen pipes but I have come up with a couple of things to help prevent it.
1) Always keep the furnace on at night at least on the lowest setting.
2) Keep the door for the water tank/pump area open and the under sink cabinet cracked a bit.
(In your case you don't have these cabinets so it shouldn't be an issue)
3) Add insulation to every nook and cranny in the van. In the doors, walls etc. There is a huge voice space above and behind the taillights!!!
4) Turn the control on the dash to off. Leaving it on vent will allow outside cold air to come in.
5) I re-routed the water lines in my EB-50 to all be interior, not in the walls. The factory routing was asinine to say the least.
My main concerns are how to keep water from freezing w/o a hot water heater. My water source is a 2 or 3 gal plastic jerry can that goes to an electric pump. Maybe i'll just put it next to the heater when we get off the slopes. Also how important is a portapotti. We will have modern conveniences near by but i would like to not have to rely on them. I guess i would just like to hear about your set ups for winter and what worked and what didn't. 
RE: winter camping in comfort things to consider: Is your van prepared for the lowest outside temps you might encounter at your destination while sleeping and relaxing in your van? will it be really windy pulling heat off the metal van surfaces? does your van have supplemental insulation in the walls, doors, roof and floor? do you have insulation panels or blankets for the windows? A small heater that works fine for spring and fall camping may not provide enough output for minimal indoor sedentary comfort (i.e. above 45F inside the van) depending on weather and the amount of van insulation. With the catalytic heater and 2 or more people and any inside cooking you are likely to have a lot of condensation /frost on unprotected glass and metal depending on outside temps and liquids in metal containers may freeze from the bottom up from heat loss to the floor deck. letting the van get really really cold during the day will not help condensation problems. leave a window or vent open a crack when you leave to reduce the relative humidity if you do not keep the van heated. Start the engine and use your van engine heater and fan to reheat and flush out some of the humidity when you get back from a day of skiing assuming you have adequate fuel left in the tank. Check to make sure your engine exhaust system has no leaks to avoid carbon monoxide problems while idling. you can keep water and fresh food from freezing without heat for several hours (the time depending on outside temps) by storing these items in well insulated coolers. If you are at a ski resort, does it have indoor gear lockers for rent? you could stash some water and fresh stuff while out skiing. Avoid bringing beverages and food items in glass bottles and jars that could crack if the items freeze. Some RV trim items made out of vinyl or plastic get really brittle in subzero temperatures. Regarding a toilet, consider using the disposable bag with dry chemicals type as the flushing porta potties can freeze up in subzero temperatures and then waiting for the contents to thaw to empty.....-eeeewwwh.
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