I'm going to bet the drought gets worse! I just flew from Spokane, Wa. to Minneapolis via Denver and barely saw any snow on the mtns. (Bought a car on Ebay). Drove back through South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and into Cda' before turning south to Lewiston. NO SNOW ANYWHERE! The only bad weather I encountered was in... you guessed it, IDAHO!!! As far as living in Cda', they usually get snow in the winter, the rich have bought up all the property close in. But there are plenty of smaller towns around there that should be inexpensive.
This is hunter's paradise as well as a great place to go 4x4ing. Pick an old logging road and take off. Good luck and safe travels.