We have been through our first winter. We live on the side of a hill at the base of the Sapphire mountains. The Bitterroot Valley is considered the “pineapple belt “ of Montana. We have a good solid four seasons. My husband and I grew up in Ohio in the 70s-the 90s. So we’re kind of used to cold snowy winters. But after living in gloomy Washington state, even the winters here are brighter, sunnier. Even though it’s cold. The snow started early last October. Locals said it wasn’t normal. We had a mild November and then in December it got cold. We didn’t see much snow after the freak storm in October until January. Then from January till mid March we had lots of snow. The ground was covered almost that whole time. In February we had a big cold snap where it got down to 25 below zero for a week. Locals say it needed to stay that cold for at least 2 weeks. So apparently that’s normal. We have a tractor, so my husband was able to keep driveway clear. We’re in our 50s and we thought it wasn’t that bad. All the snow in the mountains and everywhere was really beautiful. From what I hear, other parts of the state are colder and much drier. We chose the Bitterroot Valley because it wasn’t as dry or cold.
We left Washington state for those reasons and many more. So far Montana hasn’t been too bad…
I’m from Montana and stuck in WA to stay near grandchildren. Hopefully one day we can either get out of here or won’t need to escape. 😁
Me too Susan! The day the grandkids get to the age where they don’t have time for us, we’re outta commie WA.
Stuck in Oregon due to finances and long to be near grandchildren in Cali.
We did the same as well as being closer to the grandchild. Landed in Helena. You?
I’m in Helena as well!
Have you been through a winter? And is it true that there are huge climate differences in different parts of the state? Kids are considering…
We have been through our first winter. We live on the side of a hill at the base of the Sapphire mountains. The Bitterroot Valley is considered the “pineapple belt “ of Montana. We have a good solid four seasons. My husband and I grew up in Ohio in the 70s-the 90s. So we’re kind of used to cold snowy winters. But after living in gloomy Washington state, even the winters here are brighter, sunnier. Even though it’s cold. The snow started early last October. Locals said it wasn’t normal. We had a mild November and then in December it got cold. We didn’t see much snow after the freak storm in October until January. Then from January till mid March we had lots of snow. The ground was covered almost that whole time. In February we had a big cold snap where it got down to 25 below zero for a week. Locals say it needed to stay that cold for at least 2 weeks. So apparently that’s normal. We have a tractor, so my husband was able to keep driveway clear. We’re in our 50s and we thought it wasn’t that bad. All the snow in the mountains and everywhere was really beautiful. From what I hear, other parts of the state are colder and much drier. We chose the Bitterroot Valley because it wasn’t as dry or cold.
Hope that helps
Thank you SO much! 💐❤️