Life Lessons of a Durango Homeowner — Prep Now, Relax Later
Our first Christmas at the mountain home was supposed to be magical.
We had arrived from Michigan in mid-December after wrapping up our annual commitment to decorate the Birmingham Country Club. By the time we pulled up to our new mountain home, the season was well underway back home. Here, it hadn’t started yet.
The house was dark and cold. The fridge was empty. We stopped for groceries on the way in — just enough for that night and the all-important creamer for morning coffee. The next day was spent unpacking and by day two, I could finally start decorating. Family was arriving in less than a week, and I wanted it to be perfect. I had a clear picture in my head — a design that felt connected to this place, to the mountains, to how this home looked and felt. But I hadn’t had time to properly source what I envisioned. So I used what I had. It was pretty. But it wasn’t the “Wow” I had imagined.
And underneath all of it was an exhaustion I hadn’t anticipated — because on top of decorating, I was planning and prepping meals for a house full of guests. Cookies. Traditions. Presents. All the things that make Christmas feel like Christmas, now in a new place where nothing had its spot yet.
I wanted it to feel special. Like Christmas is supposed to feel.
That was year one. The years that followed taught me what to do differently. And what I’ve landed on is September.
Now, for many mountain homeowners, some of this may seem obvious. But for those of us who came from other parts of the country — especially warm climates like Texas and Arizona — these are the things nobody tells you until you’ve learned them the hard way. Consider this the shortcut.
Make-Ahead Meals
Every September now, I make big batches of homemade chicken soup and spaghetti sauce and freeze them. Having guest-ready meals prepared ahead of time changes everything. Less time in the kitchen when you arrive means more time actually enjoying the season.
If cooking in advance isn’t your thing, consider booking a private chef or meal prep service now — before their holiday calendars fill up. The good ones book early.
Honey Hole Hospitality LLC comes highly recommended by the Durango Connections community — a trusted local Facebook group with over 24,000 members where residents and visitors alike turn for trusted referrals.
Honey Hole Hospitality LLC | 801-897-6950 | info@honeyholehospitality.com
A Clean Home to Come Home To
I’ll admit it — I’m a neat freak. For years, we cleaned the house after each visit so we’d arrive back to something tidy. It made sense at the time. But what I’ve learned since is that cleaning before you leave and cleaning just before you arrive are two very different things. Dust settles. Mountain homes breathe. And honestly, the time we used to spend cleaning on the way out is time better spent on the way in — relaxing, exploring, or simply enjoying being here.
Now we hire someone to come in just before our arrival. Walking into a spotlessly clean home after a long drive is one of those small things that changes the whole feeling of the first day.
For those looking for a recommendation, we can’t say enough about Michelle Hill and Royal Gold Cleaning Co. Michelle serves both private and commercial clients in the Durango area and comes with outstanding reviews across the board. She’s exactly the kind of trusted, detail-oriented professional you want caring for a home like yours.
Royal Gold Cleaning Co. | Michelle Hill
970-903-2379 | royalgoldclean.com
Snow Removal
September may feel early for this conversation. It isn’t.
Good snow removal contractors book up fast — often before the first snow falls. And here’s something many vacation homeowners don’t realize: if your subdivision has a snow plow contract, it may not include private driveways. Check with your association first. Either way, September is when to find out, not November.
You won’t be here for the early snows. An unplowed driveway isn’t just inconvenient — it can mean a vehicle that can’t get through when you finally arrive, or a property that looks unoccupied to anyone paying attention.
For a recommendation, Unearthed Excavation comes highly recommended by Nicole Byrum of Elevation Home Management. In her words, Trace is reliable and genuinely cares about doing quality work — he follows through and takes pride in making sure his clients are taken care of. She’s trusted him with the snow removal at all of her properties and has always had a great experience working with him. They’re licensed, bonded, insured, and veteran-owned, serving Durango, Bayfield, and Southwest Colorado.
Unearthed Excavation | Trace Cannon
(970) 317-5754 | UnearthedExcavation.com
Email: unearthedexcavating@gmail.com
Winterizing
Mountain homes have their own seasonal checklist. September is when to run through it.
Outside faucets should be protected before the first cold snap — which in the Durango area can arrive as early as October. Most home improvement stores carry foam faucet covers that do the job well. For pipes in crawl spaces, unheated garages, or on exterior walls, consider adding foam pipe insulation — it’s inexpensive, easy to install, and worth every penny.
Before you leave in the fall, set your heat and consider a programmable thermostat like Nest — you can increase the temperature remotely so you arrive to a toasty warm home. Don’t leave a mountain home unheated in winter.
And check that your home is as tightly sealed as possible. As temperatures drop, mice start looking for warm places to winter. A gap you’d never notice in July becomes an open invitation in October. If you’re dealing with unwelcome guests of the four-legged kind, there’s a helpful resource in the Rodent Edition below.
→ Life Lessons of a Durango Homeowner: Rodent Edition
The Polar Express
If you’re planning to be in the Durango area for the holidays with children or grandchildren, this one requires advance planning. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Polar Express — a vintage steam train, hot chocolate, Santa himself — becomes a family tradition the first time you do it. Certain dates and car types sell out early, and by October the best options are often gone.
Book in September — or even earlier. Tickets and information at durangotrain.com.
Exterior Holiday Lighting
The best exterior lighting installers book up well before the season. If you want your home glowing when you arrive, September is the time to get on someone’s schedule. And a cohesive look from the outside in makes a significant difference in how the whole property feels when you pull up.
One thing worth knowing if you live in a luxury subdivision: many communities have strict HOA guidelines about what exterior lighting is permitted. Before booking anyone, ask whether they’re familiar with your community’s requirements — and whether they’re already registered with security for access. Not every installer will say yes to both, and it’s better to find out before you’ve committed.
Interior Holiday Design
If you’re decorating yourself, September is a reasonable time to start. But if you’re working with a professional holiday designer, September may already be too late for a fully custom design built from scratch — prime dates fill quickly and the sourcing process begins months earlier.
That said, if you have existing décor you love and want a designer’s eye to elevate it, or you’re simply looking for a beautifully installed tree, there may still be a limited number of openings. Reach out sooner rather than later and let’s talk. The earlier you reach out, the better the result.
→ When to Reach Out to A Holiday Designer?
Concierge & Property Management
If all of the above feels like a lot to coordinate from a distance, that’s exactly what concierge and property management services are for. Some communities have their own concierge services — start there. If not, there are excellent property management companies in the Durango area that specialize in vacation and second homes. They can often refer you to trusted vendors for snow removal, meal services, and other seasonal needs. I’m happy to recommend Elevation Home Management – widely recognized for outstanding service & great reviews.
Elevation Home Management | Nicole Byrum
970-799-5558 | propertymanagementdurango.com
E-Mail hello@ElevationHomeManagement.com
Fire Mitigation & Burn Piles
This one is specific to those with acreage — but if that’s you, don’t skip it. Late fall and winter are the seasons for burning brush, preferably with snow on the ground. Before anything gets lit, you must contact your local fire protection district to get approval — typically a day or two before you plan to burn. In our area, that means the Upper Pine Fire Protection District. Don’t skip this step.
→ Life Lessons of a Durango Homeowner: Fire Mitigation Edition
A Final Thought
The December you want starts with the September you plan. None of the things on this list are complicated on their own. But together, they’re the difference between a holiday arrival that feels effortless and one that feels like catch-up from the moment you walk through the door.
September is still quiet. The calendars aren’t full. The good vendors still have availability. That’s the window. Use it.
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