What Is Winter In Montana Like?

We dropped off my wife's vehicle for snow tires.

Yep, it's that time of year. In fact, when I called to set up an appointment, they told me the earliest they had was November 15th, but that I could drop it off in the morning and they "would get to it sometime", so that's what we did.

Winter in Montana is no joke.

First, there is the sheer size of the state. Montana is the fourth-largest state in the country and the third-largest in the lower 48. What does that mean? Well, it means that the Treasure State has over 73 thousand miles of roads to maintain. You read that right, over 73 thousand miles.

It puts it in perspective when we're complaining how the plow hasn't been down our street yet, huh?

READ MORE: The most popular National Park in the world? That's impressive.

The roads, however, are only part of it. There are freezing temperatures, and that means not only does your car have to be "winterized", but so does your home. Do you have enough firewood? Are the windows insulated? Are the water pipes wrapped? Do you have enough food in case you're snowed in? What about a power outage? Do you have all the necessary supplies?

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While Montana isn't home to the worst winter in the country, we do rank in the Top 10.

Where does Montana rank when it comes to harsh winters?

Montana is ranked 9th in the country for states with the harshest winters, so the question is, which 8 states rank higher than we do? Check out the list below.

Here's 8 States That Have Longer And Harsher Winters Than Montana

Winter can be brutal here in Montana with lots of wind, snow, and temperatures well below zero. In fact, that alone should be a word of warning for those thinking of moving here from warmer climates.

A lot goes into being prepared to live in a state with rough winters and if you've never done it before, you certainly need to make sure that you are prepared. You need to make sure you have the right tires, vehicle, and winter clothing. Plus, I would highly suggest you learn how to drive in winter conditions before moving to a state that celebrates winter 6 months out of the year.

And while winters can be very rough here in Montana, we don't even crack the Top 5 for States With The Most Brutal Winters.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

Montana's 7 Most Charming Small Towns

Looking for small-town charm? You certainly don't have to look far in Montana. No matter which part of the state you're in, there's a charming small town near you. But which of these small towns are the most charming? We take a look at 7 Montana towns that make the list.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf

Ten Best Towns To Raise A Family In Montana

Montana is a great place for those looking to raise a family. So which towns are the best? According to the folks at Niche, some Montana towns stand out a little more than others when it comes to the best places to start and raise a family in The Treasure State.

Gallery Credit: Derek Wolf