Snowbirding from Brutal Winter (-50 'F) to a Tropical Winter (-10 'F) (55, weather)
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I've spent last 5 years in Montana and North Dakota. I love winter, but the -50 'F wind-chills are starting to wear down on me.
Since I have a Siberian Husky, I walk her daily, 4-5 times a day. Meaning, just because it's a week of back-to-back blizzards (sometimes there's over 20+ consecutive walks across a week during a storm), we still go out and have a walk as she has to do her business. But I have proper layers (well, only to about -50 'F, though).
Plus, she loves the snow! So do I. I grew up in a climate with -20/-30 temps, so I am good with that.
The constant wind in ND, though. I can get used to -40 'F, that is no problem. Takes maybe 2 days, and then you're good. Plus, it's only about 3 weeks of below -40 'F wind-chills, so it's fine.
But -60 'F is a different beast. I am technically unable to spend even half an hour out there despite triple layering. That wind simply gets through all the layers. There appears to be a threshold around -55 'F, I don't understand it logically (makes no sense, why does mere 10 degrees make such a difference), but there simply is. I did a lot of hiking around -45 / -50 and I am fine for 3 hours. I could probably spend whole day at -40'F just fine.
Now, I spent a winter once in Deep South (MS) and that humidity is horrendous. Never again. My Husky started shedding within 72 hours of getting there and she was panting way worse than in New Jersey during entire stay.
Same with Florida. I was there for 3 weeks in early March, and everybody said it was the best weather, but it was unbearable. I guess one has to be born down there to be able to handle such an insane climate.
So, clearly, MS/FL is way too south.
Colorado would be nice, but it's out of my budget.
Also, I would love to be close to mountains for hiking. By close, I mean within 300 miles.
What options are there ? I don't need a second house (no need for second roof repairs!), 1-bed apartment would be just fine for few months.
I checked some AirBNB in few locations, but those are, like, $3,000 for a month, so that's not going to work. My favourite places in Montana are also in similar price range (plus, I am familiar with winters in MT, so no real win there).
I wish there was a way to just pay upfront rent for an apartment for 3-4 months and be done with it.
I don't mind driving far at all, and while I can do 1,000+ miles within 24 hours, I'd rather stay under 850 miles for one leg of the trip...
I'm 46, male, single. Currently have a job but I work remotely, so it doesn't really matter where I am...
If anybody here is familiar with it, I really, rally loved the winter in Newfoundland. The fjords, the winter mountain hikes, the cliffs, the waves in blizzard - it's all very lovely.
OK, I know I'll get some attitude from some people but have you thought about West Virginia? I bet it would be affordable and winters in Appalachia would be pretty much what you're looking for as far as climate, hiking and natural scenery. Many spots are extremely beautiful too. I took Amtrak through the state late fall last year and it was gorgeous.
Last edited by marino760; 09-29-2022 at 12:04 PM..
Colorado would be nice, but it's out of my budget.
Also, I would love to be close to mountains for hiking. By close, I mean within 300 miles.
If you don't need to be right in the mountains there's Sterling, or any number of other towns in eastern CO. Sterling is about 150 miles from mountains. I expect it's cheaper than any town in the mountains or along the Front Range. (No fjords there of course, haha!)
I've spent last 5 years in Montana and North Dakota.
Colorado would be nice, but it's out of my budget.
Also, I would love to be close to mountains for hiking. By close, I mean within 300 miles.
The obvious answer would be northern New Mexico. Winter temps in the mountains will get down to zero at night but outside of the mountains, and in the sun, it will be near 50 degrees. The cost will be approachable or better if you look around. Taos and Santa Fe will be more expensive but good for a day visit. Check out Las Vegas and Raton or maybe Farmington by four-corners -- likely cheaper. There is skiing if you want it or take a quick ski trip into Colorado. The elk will be down in lower elevations. Hiking should be good.
OK, I know I'll get some attitude from some people but have you thought about West Virginia? I bet it would be affordable and winters in Appalachia would be pretty much what you're looking for as far as climate, hiking and natural scenery. Many spots are extremely beautiful too. I took Amtrak through the state late fall last year and it was gorgeous.
West Virginia ? Thanks, I'll go do some research on it.
It actually often pops up on my hikes to-do list, it's just that usually Colorado,Montana or Washington beat it in terms of relative difference (e.g. I only have to drive a bit more but the mountains are that much better for hikes, or it's a Yellowstone (or similar)).
Also, I'd love to do some high-altitude hiking (14'ers) to see if my body/lungs is physiologically capable (HAPE,etc.) of undergoing some more hardcore climbing. I'm in best shape of my life right now (but, climbing is a diffferent beast), so being close to those mountains and having undergone certain high-altitude hikes I might finally pull the trigger on Mt. Rainer.
I'm just realizing, right this very moment, that for something like that, I would be willing to pay up to $2,500 per month in accommodation, as I have a good job right now and I could justify it as an expedition cost.
For ~$3k/mo, I believe I can find a ***-hole even in Colorado or Montana.
I guess, this is all falling under a mountaneering scenario, where I'm willing to shell out cash in pursuit of a life goal.
The other scenario, where I just sit at home and work (or not when I'm between jobs) doesn't require immediate (~300 miles) closeness to mountains.
The reason why I say 300 miles is that I already tried being 500 miles from my target hiking destination and that's kinda far to drive for hiking in winter...
I will second Appalachia. West Virginia is beautiful and, I'm not sure how affordable it would be in Virginia these days, but the mountains are gorgeous there, too.
The winters can and do get cold and snowy of course. But nothing like what you see in North Dakota.
Tropical winter? I thought you meant a location actually in the tropics.
Bend, Oregon has a winter of sorts. If not enough snow in the town area proper, there's always the slopes of nearby Mt. Bachelor, rising to 9,000 ft.
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