This Dec is much better at elevation (above 4,000 feet or so).

I think your area has a much higher average snow depth though. Theirs melts off fast.

In case anyone thinks I'm exaggerating about how bad December has been. This is like a Nino on steroids pattern.

It's interesting that their average temp is about 5 to 6 degrees higher than mine but they get a bit more snow. Maybe they get higher individual storm totals or get better cooling at night even with clouds. I also wonder if they have sometimes more extreme winters that could skew the average snowfall higher. Does sound like a good climate.

The area around Yellowstone is certainly an icebox. About as harsh of a winter climate as you’ll find in the lower 48. Cool fact, the Yellowstone magma chamber is independent of continental drift, so the hotspot has moved over millions of years. IIRC, the enormous lithium deposits on the Oregon-Nevada border are actually from a previous Yellowstone eruption.