Decks, Patios, and Six Months of Snow: Year Round Outdoor Living That Works
If you live in the mountains, you know the story: six months of sunshine and long evenings on the deck… and five-six months of shoveling, snow boots piled up in the entryway, and cozy nights inside. And honestly? That’s why we love it here. Our conversations revolve around the weather, the seasons help us track time, they keep life interesting, and they shape the way we live. But when you’re planning your home, year round outdoor living deserves just as much thought as your kitchen or your great room - don’t get caught thinking you can’t use it year-round. At SmartPads, we geek out on this stuff. We live here, we all wake up on snowy mornings with the same mix of excitement about adventures to be had and dread for the shoveling to come. So we know what works (and what’s a pain to maintain).It’s time to ditch the idea that outdoor living is only for part of the year when you’re building a home in the mountains. Here are a few ways we think about designing outdoor spaces that feel amazing in July, but also make sense in January.
Think Beyond the Summer Barbecue
Sure, a grill and a dining set are great, but outdoor living can be so much more. While we love imagining charcuterie board filled happy hours with the aspen leaves fluttering above, we also see great opportunities for ways to enjoy the outdoor spaces while the leaves are turning on a cool fall evening and into the winter when the trees are bare and the snow piles up on the branches. A covered deck or partially enclosed patio lets you stretch the season well beyond the summer months. As simple as adding in a ceiling fan for the heat and a heater for the chill, and suddenly you’ve got an outdoor room that works almost year-round.We’ve seen clients use these spaces for everything from yoga at sunrise on the summer solstice to s’mores parties on the winter solstice. When you start thinking outside the “barbecue box,” you realize these spaces can do a lot more for you.
Embrace the Après Vibe
Here’s a local truth: some of the best outdoor moments happen in winter. Think hot tub steam rising through falling snow, or pulling up Adirondack chairs around a gas firepit after a ski day. A couple of thick blankets and some string lights, and suddenly you’ve got your own private après scene.We love designing decks and patios that don’t just survive winter, but actually make you want to step outside and breathe in the cold air. It’s magic.
Design with Snow in Mind
Here’s where our building geek side comes out. Snow is gorgeous, but it’s also heavy, wet, and relentless. The right design saves you hours of shoveling and frustration. Covered entries, thoughtful rooflines, proper drainage - all of these matter if you want your outdoor spaces to be usable in January.Even details like railing styles can change how much snow you have to deal with. These are the things we obsess over at SmartPads, because we’d rather you spend your time enjoying the view than pushing a shovel.
Make Maintenance a No-Brainer
If your outdoor living space does go dormant for part of the year, make it easy to bring back to life when spring arrives. Composite decking means no sanding or staining after winter. Durable furniture with washable covers can stay outside under a tarp without worry. And strategically placed storage—whether it’s a deck box, a small shed, or an under-deck nook—means cushions, gardening tools, and outdoor décor don’t end up cluttering your garage.
Blur the Line between Indoors and Out
When it’s too cold to sit outside, your outdoor spaces can still feed your soul. We’re big fans of oversized sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows that connect your living room to the deck. It’s about flow - you don’t feel cut off from the outdoors just because you’re cozying up by the fire. And when summer rolls around, it feels effortless to step out with a cold drink in hand.
Create Little Moments, Not Just Big Spaces
Not every outdoor living area needs to be huge. Some of the best ones are little “pockets” - a nook that catches morning sun to sip coffee while your pet soaks up the sunshine, a bench under a covered eave to get lost in a good book, or even a pass-through window from the kitchen to the outdoor eating area that makes the chef’s life easier. Or design a space for a spotting scope to up your bird and wildlife watching game. When we design, we think about how you want to live: your morning coffee spot, your après-ski landing pad, your place to cheer on the kids as they make a snow fort. Year round outdoor living is about creating spaces for the moments of life.
Year Round Outdoor Living
Mountain living is about balance. We spend a lot of the year indoors, but our connection to the outdoors is what makes life here special. When you design with intention, your decks, patios, and porches become more than square footage. They become year round outdoor living moments and experiences.At SmartPads, this is the stuff that gets us excited. We love where we live, and we love helping people design homes that make the most of it. So grab a beer, picture that perfect spot on your deck, and let’s talk about how to make it real. To get more information please fill out our Contact Form with details on your project and we'll connect!
