Winter in Cody, thinking of moving (Cheyenne, Casper: houses, schools, camping)

[LostinPDX]

We are thinking of moving from Portland, OR to the mountain west, and Cody is high on our list of possibilities (we love the outdoors including flyfishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, golf, skiing, and we want sunnier weather than Portland, and a smaller, more conservative town to raise our two kids). I have been reading posts on Cody, and my husband was recently there- it seems like potentially a great match for us.
We are wondering about what it is like to raise kids in Cody, such as schools and activities, and especially what the winter is like- can little kids be outside playing in the snow or is it too cold for them? (our kids will be 3 and 1 when we move next year). How cloudy is it? How bad is the wind? And what do you do with your horses in the winter?
I have lived all over including western MA, Boston, San Diego, New Orleans. My least favorite weather was Boston because of the freezing rain, lack of snow on the ground (or just slushy gray snow), and humid summers. Western MA was much better for me b/c of the snow and more sunshine. Also I have spent a lot of time in Park City and like that winter weather. I am looking for a fairly sunny, snowy winter with lots of downhill skiing and snowshoeing access and wilderness access during the summer, with lots of surrounding outdoor beauty, in a friendly, all-American type of town. We are fortunate to have fairly high paying, portable jobs so I don't think that will be an issue between the locations we're looking into...
We're also considering Bozeman, Kalispell, Durango, Colorado Springs, Flagstaff, Park City, Boise, Leavenworth, Grants Pass and Bend if you have recommendations on those towns.
Thank you!

[gaduchman]

It's a dry snaky snow with lots of wind behind it. Doesn't pile up much and melts quickly on macadam roads, just not in town. There, they pile it up in the center of the street. And b/c it's concrete it becomes icy slick at night.

[Darrow]

My kids loved school in Cody and we had a decent experience overall with the school system. The days are mostly sunny with nice clean clouds scattered. The wind is a monster. You have lived in a lot of places - mostly cities. I wonder if we are too remote/isolated for you. During the summer Cody feels alive and hopping, but in the winter it's pretty quiet and the winter months are long. I think Bozeman and Colorado Springs get more snow and would be more suitable to people that enjoy shopping and more variety of dining/entertainment; however, we have the best drinking water in Cody. There's a lot of public land and forest land around Cody and many horse trails. I wish we had a more established/connected walking/biking path through Cody, but there are a couple of areas for that. It's good that you have highpaying jobs that are portable. I don't think the cost of living here is in line with the wages, but others might disagree. I also haven't felt like we've had a true, hot summer in at least 3 years...it's been rather cold and wierd weather-wise.

[Happy in Wyoming]

Cody is a great place in the Winter. It has a certain look that only one of the world's most famous summer resorts can have when there's a cool breeze or snow flurries are in the air, and the fickle warm weather tourists have departed. It's the time when local people are relaxed and enjoying the quiet of the season. It's a time when there might not be a car visible on the road to Yellowstone for a half hour in the middle of the day. It's the time when the experienced travelers come to be part of the very special group of people who live here.

There are all sorts of special events from a Winter trolley ride to open houses and workshps at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. It's a time for reading and conversation, but also a time to enjoy a crystal clear sky with snowy hills in the distance. It may be Winter, but it often feels like Spring.

It's the time to see ads for hot tropical resorts and be glad we're not there because we're Westerners. The land is at rest. Soon enough the bears will be coming out of their dens for the season. The haunting call of the Canada Geese will fill the skys. The glorious pelicans will return for the Summer.

If you're a weary traveler, come and join us. You may wish to stay. If you live here it's the time to be thankful that you've already made it to heaven.

[LostinPDX]

Thank you all very much for your responses. Happy in Wyoming, I can see why you chose your name! That was truly inspirational and actually brought tears to our eyes, it was so kind and lovely.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Happy in Wyoming

Cody is a great place in the Winter. It has a certain look that only one of the world's most famous summer resorts can have when there's a cool breeze or snow flurries are in the air, and the fickle warm weather tourists have departed. It's the time when local people are relaxed and enjoying the quiet of the season. It's a time when there might not be a car visible on the road to Yellowstone for a half hour in the middle of the day. It's the time when the experienced travelers come to be part of the very special group of people who live here.

There are all sorts of special events from a Winter trolley ride to open houses and workshps at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. It's a time for reading and conversation, but also a time to enjoy a crystal clear sky with snowy hills in the distance. It may be Winter, but it often feels like Spring.

It's the time to see ads for hot tropical resorts and be glad we're not there because we're Westerners. The land is at rest. Soon enough the bears will be coming out of their dens for the season. The haunting call of the Canada Geese will fill the skys. The glorious pelicans will return for the Summer.

If you're a weary traveler, come and join us. You may wish to stay. If you live here it's the time to be thankful that you've already made it to heaven.

Wow! Powerful. I share the same feelings. Not necessarily Cody, but all of Wyoming makes me feel that way. I've lived in most of the Eastern side of the state, everything East of the Big Horns. Cheyenne, Wheatland, Hanna, Casper, Gillette, Sheridan, Sundance. All have been good.

[Happy in Wyoming]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Wow! Powerful. I share the same feelings. Not necessarily Cody, but all of Wyoming makes me feel that way. I've lived in most of the Eastern side of the state, everything East of the Big Horns. Cheyenne, Wheatland, Hanna, Casper, Gillette, Sheridan, Sundance. All have been good.

They all are good. I've only lived in Cody and Evanston. They're both great, but in different ways.