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My first winter in Montana

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with eXp Commercial, Referral Divison RRE-BRO-LIC-75443

Per the calendar, my first winter in Montana is complete. Of course, we might still get winter weather. But the season has gone far enough so I can provide my input on what a Kalispell winter is like. Or can I?

 

Apparently, the winter of 2019-2020 has been one of the mildest the Flathead Valley has seen in quite a while. So I can't really do a full NY versus MT comparison. But I can give my input on this particular winter.

 

I live on a mountain in a snow belt and for several weeks this winter we would wake up to a dusting to an inch or two of snow. One day there was about 4 or 5 inches, but that was the biggest snowfall of the season. We had no snow storms since the official start of winter. Temperatures were often in the 20s-30s, with a few 40 degree days as well. In fact, I think we only had one or two days with single digit temperatures. So not only did we have a lot less snow this year than we have in the past when we lived in NY, the drier air made even cold days feel warmer. So my first winter was great! Even with the mild winter, though, I was able to learn a few things about Montana winters.

 

The Roads

My first winter in MontanaHere in the Flathead Valley, the highway department has 1,200 miles to maintain. In my old town, the highway department had 60 linear miles to take care of. I think it's probably clear without my saying anything else that there is a big difference in the type of road maintenance done in the winter. In my old town, the roads would be cleared multiple times and lots of salt would be used. A day after a snow storm most roads were easily passable, and often dry. Here, the roads are often plowed once. Sand is only used on hills, curves and intersections and a salty slurry is only used on specific roads. That means that days after a snowfall, the roads can still be snow and/or ice covered. The sun needs to come out and do its job. So winter travel here requires an appropriate vehicle and careful driving. Oh, and a final thought on the roads - it is impossible to keep your car clean in the winter! If you're going to be driving around, you have to get used to a dirty car.

 

The People

But the road conditions don't matter to Montanans. I took a vegetable gardening class at the local college. The first night of class, it was snowing at my home and I wasn't sure whether class would be held. Sometimes it snows at my place and is fine in town. Nothing was canceled though, so I decided to head out. I found that it was snowing all over the valley, and the roads were snow covered and getting slick. I made my way to class and soon realized that every single one of the 35 or so students showed up. So what did I learn? Montanans show up. They all know how to drive in the snow, or at least DO drive in the snow, so if someone has plans they make it to their destination.

 

The Views

My first winter in MontanaI know I've said this before, but Kalispell and the Flathead Valley area is simply the most beautiful place one could live. There are mountain ranges on three sides, and I don't even know how many mountains can be seen on a clear day. It's impossible to count them. Unlike my last home, in MT there is green all year round. Pine trees dot all the slopes, and there are plants that turn red in the winter. So the landscape is not brown, grey and depressing. Instead the mountain tops are snow covered and the days with clear blue sky are amazing. If you want a winter scene where you say "ohhhhh, how beautiful" about a million times a day, this is definitely the place to be.

 

The Events

Because many people who live in the Flathead Valley are outdoor enthusiasts, there is always something to do here - year round. Some events were canceled this year, though, due to lack of snow (and more recently, due to the Coronavirus), but there are typically a lot of things to choose from. Besides having two ski slopes within a 45 minute drive, there are events at the local Fairgrounds and rodeo arena, outdoor sports such as skijoring, winter hiking, cross country skiing, or even just walking outside after a snowfall and looking for animal tracks. Being bored is practically impossible!

 

Summary

So that's my summary of my first Montana winter. I loved it. And I'm so excited to see what Spring will bring. Perhaps snow?

 

 

For more information about Kalispell, click here.

 

Originally published at thehousekat.com.

Posted by

Kalispell, Bigfork, Lakeside and Somers areas. 

Are you getting ready to sell or purchase land or a home in Kalispell  or the surrounding vicinity? Let’s talk!

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Comments (19)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kat,

We are delighted to hear that your first winter in Montana was nice.  We like to ski on dry snow, which is why we love skiing in Utah...and yes without dampness it makes it less cold...Happy Monday, A

Mar 23, 2020 10:03 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I have to admit last winter was a lot worse than this winter and I'm sure Kalispell has been beautiful with just several dusting of snow. I do enjoy reading your blog posts...

happy Monday Kat Palmiotti 

Mar 23, 2020 10:11 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Kat - it seems your first winter in Montana has prepared you for this season. 

I laughed a bit when you wrote of the snowfall that you thought might interrupt your class, in Southern California the moment one needs to use the windshield wipers typically means a major disruption to life how we know it is on its way.  

Mar 23, 2020 10:34 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Kat Palmiotti -  of course everyone has SUV and I'll bet some even have chains.  It is a matter of necessity.  One thing is for sure it has been a mild winter or early spring as the Groundhog forcasted.

Mar 23, 2020 11:45 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

What beautiful views Kat Palmiotti. I was just talking to someone in Big Sky and how nice it would be to be way from the public right now. We had a similar mild winter although it is snowing now, but no snow in February. Mother natures balances herself so next year could be 100 inches 

Mar 23, 2020 12:20 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

So glad you are happy and enjoying your new town. Views sound and look awesome, and I mean that word explicitly. What is skijoring?

Mar 23, 2020 12:42 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Kat Palmiotti - I really enjoyed your blog post. I have only experienced the Fall and wondered what it would be like year-round. Now I know! I can confirm, Kalispell and the Flathead Valley is lovely! My only regrets is that I didn't get there in my younger days and bought a home that first year I fell in love with the land and the people.

You picked a wonderful place. You tell a great story about your new beginnings and everyday discoveries. Oh, how I wish I lived there too. One thing I know for sure, buyers and sellers will love working with you and will enjoy your company and appreciate your knowledge and expertise in buying and selling property in beautiful land and sky Montana. 

Mar 23, 2020 03:26 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Ron and Alexandra Seigel - I especially love quiet mornings taking a walk in the woods after the snow fell. It's peaceful and beautiful. Ahhh.

Thank you Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - More are coming! (Posts)

Michael Jacobs - In NY, when snow was forecast, everything at a school was usually canceled. Not here!

 

Mar 23, 2020 03:45 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Grant Schneider - I have studs on my tires, and we have chains for the snow plow truck. They really are needed.

Yes, Scott Godzyk - Next year might be worse. It probably will be. But now we know which parts of our driveway need to be fixed/angled differently, etc. So we have a summer to prepare!

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 Hello! Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse or dog. I haven't seen it in person yet but I bet it's a hoot.

 

Mar 23, 2020 03:47 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP - Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! It's truly been a fun winter. Today we were outside raking the mud. Haha, we have no grass or other plants near the house and we have to landscape. So we were removing rocks/branches, and smoothing it out for the grass seed. I'm tired!

Mar 23, 2020 03:48 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kat- I am so happy that you are fitting right in and are enjoying it. I remember my first winter in the north (actually Mid-Atlantic, I was in Leesburg, VA) I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't get as cold or bad as I feared it would be. I'm not much of a skier but I do a great job of sitting down with a cup of hot cocoa watching people ski. 

Mar 23, 2020 06:07 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Kathy Streib - watching other people is an activity all by itself!

Mar 23, 2020 06:14 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kat:

What a fun perspective about winter in Montana...your first. Sounds like it was a relatively easy transition from NY.

I have to say my first winter in CA was a real treat after being in New England for 20 years! LOL.

Jeff

Mar 23, 2020 08:51 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'll bet, Jeff Dowler, CRS - quite a different weather pattern in CA!

Mar 24, 2020 04:57 AM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Love it! Depending on the current situation, we are considering the following summer travel options to come to Montana instead of a cruise (yeah, wonder why?)

1) Fly to SLC, drive North to Glacier, back to Livingston, through Yellowstone and fly out of SLC

2) Fly into Las Vegas and do Utah Parks, then to Livingston, out through Yellowstone/Teton, then Denver, then Albq, NM then Sedona/Phoenix and back to Vegas to get married, then fly home. 

3)Drive from Atlanta all the way out and back. 

Who knows at this point. 

My Dad actually died in Kalispell in 1994. I've not been to the area since I was in Junior High....so like 40 years???? Would love to see it all!

Mar 24, 2020 12:24 PM
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

I remember my mom got snowed in (blizzard) at my sister's house in North Dakota one year at thanksgiving.  Her flight got canceled as my sister was driving her to the airport and they to turn around and drive home.  When my brother in law called to tell me I asked "when will it melt", he said "May"  I said "no, really when will it melt"  He sayd "May"  So I don't expect your winter weather is done.

Mar 24, 2020 01:21 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Thom Abbott - Wow, those are certainly interesting itinerary plans! I would give you a 4th option. Fly in to Pheonix, then go to Las Vegas and get married, then go to Utah, then Grand Teton, Then Yellowstone, then Livingston, then Glacier National Park, then Kalispell to say hello to me, and fly home from there! :-)

Mar 24, 2020 03:43 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Don Baker - Yes, in the mountains near Glacier National Park, the snow sticks around till May. In fact, on the mountain tops, it's often here all year. We had a snow flurry today and I laughed. Figures. :-)

Mar 24, 2020 03:44 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I guess Montana wanted to break you in very lightly, Montana is kind in many ways Kat Palmiotti 

 

.

Feb 19, 2021 04:40 PM