Old Mtn Woman, in pretty much complete agreement.
We live in a similar situation elevation and cold.
Unlike the natives to the area, who also were the original snowbirds, we have the technology and knowledge to make these places livable year round.
Propane, fuel oil, wood and coal, all easily stocked now. The same for food, be it canned, dried, freeze dried or even fresh grown in a greenhouse.
Unlike them we can store up calories and energy units for winter use.
Those who plan to go ‘native’ should plan to starve and freeze. While there are a surprising number of critters around here, access to them is pretty much shut off once the snow starts flying. People who aren’t from here, don’t understand what 40′ of snow looks like.
The 5′ of snow in the front yard has just about melted away, thanks to two days of soft rain. As usual, the yard looks like a neutron bomb went off. And frost on everything this morning. Living in these places requires a different set of rules.
I tell people who are gonna head for the hills to sign over the deed to their property and house to me before they go. I may not survive in our town, but my odds are better than theirs out there. And why not profit from it?