You might do a search for a Vermont home for sale, or you may be more interested in the highest Alaskan mountains. Whatever your love of the mountains might be, there are hundreds of locations available for purchase in all kinds of mountainous environments. However, if you go for the extremes of constant snow and rocky heights, the following article offers advice on how to survive, thrive, and live comfortably for the rest of your days as a mountain local.

Do Survivalist-Style Research for Just-In-Case Scenarios

Research is key to living comfortable in an extreme environment. Before investing in a mountain home, think like a survivalist. You might think they are crazy for preparing for everything, but they have a knack for always being prepped and ready for anything. Look up “just in case” scenarios for mountain living and load up on information for dealing with those situations.

Prepare Your Home for Extreme Weather

“Failure to plan is planning to fail.” Be sure your home is prepped for extreme weather, power outages, and destructive atmospheres. Stock up a pantry of non-perishable food and lots of water, load up on wood for your fireplace, and keep a bunch of blankets and towels on hand. If extreme weather takes out your electricity, you will thank yourself for being prepared.

Invest in Alternatives or DIYs for Essentials

Everything in your home has an alternative, so you can use something similar to complete your daily routine if anything should happen to the original equipment. For instance, you could learn how to cook a meal within a fireplace, or over an outdoors fire. Or, you could use the outside snow as a fridge for your perishables. Simple DIY methods like these could prove to be lifesavers in the right situation.

Add On a Fireplace (And Keep Loads of Wood Around)

Most mountain homes have some elements of rustic log cabins, complete with wood tones everywhere. However, the one thing that a lot of mountain homes are missing is a reliable fireplace. Sometimes living in the mountains is like roughing it. You need to keep chopped wood stocked outside in a cool, dry area for occasions when snow, storms, and super-cold weather might sneak up on you.

The above advice will help mountain dwellers live more comfortable in their preferred environment, while instilling a few survival skills along the way. However, these tips are merely suggestions, and you should find the right mixture of trial-and-error “survive and thrive” methods that work best for you.