How much snow do mountain towns *really* get?
Snow in the mountains
One of the biggest adjustments when moving to the mountains is dealing with snow. From snowplows to snowboots, you need to be prepared or the winter can be harsh. However, knowing what to expect and preparing for the snowfall means you can actually enjoy it as a great part of living in the mountains (get those sleds out!).
What to Expect
The first snow fall in the mountains happens mid- to late-September. Typically the first big snow that requires plowing happens in October and without fail, we get a big snow the day after Halloween. Snow is fairly light but frequent throughout the winter. Then the snowiest months are March and April, believe it or not, instead of January and February. The snow in the spring is the heaviest, both amount and weight - it’s wet and hard to move! So don’t get caught dreaming of spring too quickly!
I have found the snow to be manageable. You will most likely need a plow or a snowblower, but that depends on your driveway and location within the mountains. Having a four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended (if not essential). For families, make sure you have good winter boots, coats and gloves - kids often wear full snow gear to school as they very rarely cancel outside recess and unless it’s really bad.
Read about how to prepare your home and property for winter
The Upside: Sun!
When I moved from the midwest to Colorado, people couldn’t believe I would choose cold, snowy winters. Little did they know, the winters are far more pleasant here than in the midwest! Denver gets 3107 hours of sun a year which ranks as one of the most sunniest cities in America (and pretty much sunny every day!) Not only that, but you are a mile closer to the sun so it feels warmer and also helps melt the snow faster. So with most snow storms in Colorado, as soon as the snow passes, the sun starts burning bright and melts snow quickly. You still need to plow or shovel (because melting snow can cause some serious ice) but compared to living in the midwest where it’s gray skies and cold, wet temperatures for most of the winter, Colorado is quite pleasant in the winter.
Average Snowfall Across the Foothills
In comparison, Colorado's average annual snowfall is around 67.3 inches with the Crested Butte getting the most snow at 216 inches. Locations vary based on altitude. For example, Morrison’s average is low because the majority of the town is in the city, not in the mountains, so that will change the averages.
Bailey: 80 inches
Blackhawk/Central City: 147 inches
Conifer: 60.3 inches
Evergreen: 90 inches
Genesse: 60.3 inches
Georgetown: 90.6 inches
Idaho Springs: 72 inches
Ideldale: 68.7
Indian Hills: 71 inches
Kittridge: 103 inches
Morrison: 31 inches
Nederland: 139 inches
Pine: 95 inches
More Info on Towns
Click here to learn more about each of these towns in the foothills of Colorado
