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When moving to, and visiting, the mountains, you must consider all the differences that geography, altitude, and the resort elements bring. We are here to help inform and guide you through the mountain lifestyle.
The “shady” parts of town
Due to our rugged terrain, tall mountains (think taller than a skyscraper), altitude, and architecture, you would be wise to let your agent know whether you love the sun. There are many places in the county that have direct sunlight for only 6 hours a day in the winter time. Southern exposure is something that many people desire for their houses. They prefer to have a front door and/or driveway that absorbs the most sun, in order to heat and melt the ice and snow more quickly.
Altitude Sickness
Our lowest elevation in the county is around 7,500 feet, and that is very far north of Silverthorne (aka nowhere near the slopes). That is more than a mile high above sea level.
Altitude sickness is no joke. You can actually die from it. Take it seriously. Read this chapter over and over again if you are unsure, or better yet, call your doctor! A simple Internet search of “Altitude Sickness” will answer a lot of your other questions, just remember to stick to reputable sources.
Altitude sickness does not always affect those you think that it might. It does not discriminate, and sometimes “the bigger they are, the harder they fall.” For example, my father has a harder time with it than my mother.
Before you visit:
- Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine 24 hours to one week before arrival. (Seriously, back off the coffee or you will pay!)
- Consult your doctor if you are on anti-depressants, blood pressure, or other medication that may have negative side effects at high altitude.
- Ask your doctor for a prescription for oxygen. Once you arrive, there are many oxygen providers that will bring the machine to your door.
- Ask your doctor for a prescription for Diamox, or generic name Acetazolamide. This has counter-indications to blood pressure medication, so please be careful and again, consult with your Doctor.
- Consider a night in Denver on your way. This will give you a little time to acclimate, see how you feel, and then decide whether you can come up to the mountains.
- Pack your CPAP machine if you have one. These can sometimes fail at altitude, so please plan accordingly, and ask your doctor for a backup plan.
During your visit:
- Drink more water than usual. When you start to feel badly, drink more water.
- Marijuana is legal here, as is alcohol, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to enjoy as much as at sea level. Take it slow and easy.
- Keep your caffeine to a minimum as well.
- Eat well, stay on a regular schedule, and keep snacks nearby in case you start to get hungry.
- Make sure you get plenty of rest-more than usual. If you have a CPAP machine, use it!
- Take all your walking, hiking, skiing, running, biking, movement SLOWLY! I have blacked out after bounding up three flights of stairs-after living here for many years! You will know your limits once you’ve spent a few days here.
Creature Comforts
When it’s time to plan your ski vacation, here are the best tips and tricks to stay warm and dry, and keep your skin moist and happy!
Water--did you read the part about Altitude Sickness??? Keep a water bottle with you at all times.
Skin & Nose Care--I personally keep the following in all bathrooms, cars, jackets, bags and purses:
Chapstick, Lotion & Oils, and Saline nasal spray
Stick with items that have SPF 30 or more, and be SURE to put on sunscreen every morning! Even if you’re just going into town for a coffee. Our sunlight here is very extreme due to our altitude, and people get sunburns and wind burns here all the time.
Ski Gear
I recommend that each person get long underwear for themselves that is new.
Then the outer layers, I have suggestions below.
Underwear & Socks:
Long underwear should be a wool or silk mix.
It should also be light-weight to mid-weight. Better to be warm and have to remove outer layers, than to be cold. I personally wear light-weight because I layer a lot and am very active. The mid-weight is more for slow walks, laying around.
If you get cotton, you will sweat and get cold. The wool sounds scratchy, but the blends they are making now are actually very comfortable. It will wick away the sweat and keep you warm.
Colors and styles really don't matter because no one but people at home will see these things. They will need washing after each ski day-as they will have a lot of sweat in them. This is why I recommend to buy them new, because having second hand of these can be stinky and gross. So if you are staying a week, buy at least two pairs of the above items.
Outer Layers:
Vest, Ski Jacket
Gloves/Mittens
Ski Pants (Blue Jeans with starch DO NOT count!)
Goggles
Helmets
Boots (for after skiing)
Tip:
Be careful of “off-brand” goods. If you stick with larger name brands, you will be okay. The problem with shopping in warmer climates is that sometimes you will think it is warm enough or made with adequate materials, but when you arrive here the snow and cold rip right through it to your bones!
It is important to try to imagine the days that are “Arctic” that are near 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and well below freezing. These can feel colder on the slopes with wind, moisture, etc...Then mix in your athleticism and sweating, and it all gets out of whack. It is hard to imagine this when you are shopping at home, and it's 80 degrees outside.
Snowboards, Skis, Ski Boots & Snowshoe Rentals:
There are many ski equipment rental choices in the towns. The further you are from the base of the mountain, the less expensive the rental equipment will be. However, if you want something closer to the slopes (in case the skis don't fit/need adjustments/fail) it's wiser to rent at the base of the slopes. For the kids, many ski schools will offer the skis as part of the package.
Weather
Mountain Weather Rules:
- Wait 5 minutes and the weather will change.
- Always keep layers of warmth to change every so often. (see Rule 1)
The Four Seasons in the Mountains can happen within one day! Here are some generalities to help guide you. Depending on your elevation, in Summit County it happens we go from 8,000 feet up to 13,000 feet at the highest ski peak. So remember to always have an extra pair of socks, boots, jacket, hat, and gloves--even in the middle of summer.
Winter-October through March. Usually the first snow happens in late October. Sometimes it can snow in May, even June, sometimes July! But for the most part, a majority of the snow pack will melt by the end of March, possibly April. Ice fishing, snow shoeing, and skiing are fun this time of year.
Spring-April & May, Otherwise known as “mud season” or “shoulder season” due to the melting of the snow. April and May can be spring-like, with flowers blooming and baby animals roaming about. Hiking and fishing are getting good, some ski resorts are still open. Lake Dillon Reservoir usually thaws in April or May. Expect many restaurants to be closed for maintenance, and to give employees a break.
Summer-June through August. Flowers, birds, animals, and tourists abound! The lake is open for sailing, paddle boarding, and summer fishing. But no swimming allowed--ever. Lake Dillon is too cold year round, and it’s the Denver Water source. Summer festivals and concerts outdoors are very popular and ample in all areas. Visit any weekend without researching, or plans, and there will be plenty of hiking and festivities awaiting you.
Fall-September & October. A relatively peaceful and quiet time, as most summer activities have come to an end. October brings gorgeous colors of the leaves for color watching. Make plans to have nice scenic drives, and cool hikes with not a lot of people around. Expect many restaurants to be closed for maintenance, and to give employees a break.
Home Maintenance
Maintenance, construction, and architecture of homes in the mountains and in rural areas can be quite different from other areas. Consider that Summit County has some of the harshest conditions due to the altitude, geography, wildlife, and weather.
For example, did you know that not many homes in the area have, or need, air conditioning? That’s right! With average summer temperatures in the 70s during the day, and 40s to 50s at night, it is a rare day to want to cool off. The basic ceiling fan and shades will suffice in many cases. Should you require a cooling system, we have them, but many times people will opt for a ‘swamp cooler’ or a whole-house fan. These are less expensive, and just as effective for what little time that we need them.
Another difference that you may notice is in the architecture. Many homes in the area will have designs that consider Southern exposure to maximize the warmth of the sunshine, slanted metal roofs to facilitate snow melt in the right direction, and basements as living areas or storage. Mountain moderns, log cabins, A-frames, and farm houses abound in the area, giving Summit County an eclectic and vacation mountain feel.
So you think you want a pool? You may be better off buying a condo and sharing the expense with fellow homeowners. Having a pool at your home in the area can be done, but is timely and cost-consuming. Consider that the ground is frozen for approximately 8 months out of the year. The heating costs alone would be worth thinking about. Many people opt instead for hot tubs. Hot tubs are a must-have after a full day on the slopes. Many vacationers who rent will only rent places with hot tubs.
Fireplaces are a must-have in the area. Wood-burning or gas? Wood burning fireplaces and stoves can offer a great amount of heat and enjoyment of the ‘mountain feel’. With wood-burning units, it’s necessary to price out buying firewood (many HOAs include this in their dues when you buy a condo). I have had a wood burning stove, and loved it! The heat is profound, and less expensive than running other types of heaters. What I did not like was the constant dirt and ash that it can leave in the house; always making things feel a bit dusty. If you are a ‘white glove’ kind of person, and want simplicity, I recommend a gas fireplace. They are just as heat efficient, a little more expensive to run, but a flick of the switch and your fire is heating you up in no time. You can attach many gas stoves and fireplaces to a thermostat so that they automatically kick on when the temperature gets too low for your tastes.
Consider also that the natural disaster we are in danger of is wildfire. The southern United States has hurricanes, the midwest tornadoes, and here in the west we are at risk of fires due to hot summer sun, low humidity, and pine bark beetle infestation which kills trees and leaves them as dry timber. When buying a home, it is necessary to consider the wildfire mitigation to diminish the risk of wildfire destroying your home. The more you can do to mitigate your home from fire, the safer you are keeping your family, as well as the firefighters when they respond to an emergency.
Last but not least, precipitation in the form of snow is an daily fact of life-even sometimes in the summer. It is, after all, why people find our area to be so popular. Without the snow, we would not have all of our wonderful ski resorts and other sports!
But snow can wreak havoc on a house, and maintenance costs. Primarily, if you have a car, driveway, and/or garage, you will need to budget for snow removal. The county plows the roads, but when you arrive to your dream home, how will you get into the house if there is two feet or more of snow? Which there often is from October to March-sometimes April!
There are many local companies that will plow for you and offer a seasonal contract. Alternatively, you could purchase your own snow plow vehicle. Just remember-when you’ve arrived from the long journey, the last thing you may want to do is plow to get in.
Another consideration is the shoveling and preventative salting to avoid slipping on the walkways, stairways, and decking. Again, this is something you can maintain while you are present, but I highly recommend having someone keep up with it while you are away. Multiple storms of three feet day after day can stack up quickly, and snow shoveling is something you do not want to get behind on. It is well worth the cost of maintenance.
The final consideration when owning a home in the mountains is the wildlife. Bears, moose, elk, deer, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, mice, martins, muskrats, minks, mountain lions, birds, and so much more will try to make your home theirs. Or perhaps they will eat your garbage in the middle of the night. Talk with your agent at Mountain Dream Real Estate, or your property manager, about how to manage your home and keep the wildlife safe as well.
One easy solutions is bear-safe garbage containers. These will keep out the racoons and other vermin. Another easy solution is to look for holes where mice can come inside. Plug up the holes with steel wool.
The most dangerous animal, in my opinion, is the moose. When walking with your dogs, the moose see the dogs as a natural predator. Moose are very blind and your dog looks like a wolf to them, so they will charge you and have the capability to hurt you badly and even kill you and your dogs. The best thing to do is to be situationally aware, and keep your dogs on a leash or in a fenced yard. The moose are known to wander freely through highly populated areas such as main street Frisco, or River Run in Keystone. So it’s not just in the woods!Consider buying a house with a fenced-in yard, or getting a fence installed, if you have pets.
Vehicles
Maintenance, preventative care, and learning to drive in winter conditions is not only essential, it is the law. The State of Colorado requires vehicles to have adequate snow tires and/or chains on many winter days-from around October to April.
I highly recommend all wheel drive, or 4-wheel drive. Even if you are an experienced ice driver from other areas, there are many places I could take you in Breckenridge or Silverthorne for example, that you would get stuck even WITH the assistance of 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive. Why not spend the extra money to have peace of mind and be safe?
If you are not familiar with how to drive in the snow and mountains-I recommend you take the time to educate yourself. There are many fatalities in the area due to lack of experience or knowledge behind the wheel. Consider black ice, severe downgrades, giant hills and mountains, high speeds, blowing snow, whiteout conditions leading to low visibility, and more that could be awaiting your driving experience.
If you are in doubt as to whether you can handle the severe conditions, there are many local shuttle buses and private cars that will take you back and forth from the airports, and drop you directly at your vacation home door. Once you are in Summit County, there is a free shuttle bus that runs throughout the whole county, taking you from your home to the ski slopes!
Maintaining an emergency kit is also essential for winter driving. In my emergency kit, year-round, I carry:
- A shovel
- Warm blanket
- Multiple ways to start fires that can be burned cleanly in the car
- Toilet Paper
- First Aid Kit
- Jumper Cables
- Hand & Feet warmers
- Water
- Gloves, Hats, Boots
- Flashlight
If you become a full time local, we can put you in touch with reputable mechanics in the area who can help you maintain and prepare your car for the harsh winter environment.