Yea about 3 to 4 months.

In Colorado I filmed in Summit County, on top of Vail Pass, and throughout the Eagle Valley.

For a first camera I would probably suggest the Canon Rebel T2i. Its affordable and shoots great quality video. Lenses are easy to switch out and its great for shooting in low light. Only downside to it is its not as easy to zoom in and out of shots smoothly while filming. But that can also be a good thing so that you dont over use the zoom like so many people do.

I would also get an intervalometer for timelapse photography which makes it so you can set how many frames you want to have taken and how much time is in between each frame. SLR cameras are especially great for shooting stars and city lights.

And finally, a tripod with a fluid head or spring head. I prefer fluid, but either will do over the basic tripods you buy at a Best Buy or something. Fluid heads make it so you can pan and tilt the while filming to add smooth movement into your shots.

Hope that helps.

The intervalometer I use is the Satechi TR-A Timer Remote Control Shutter for Canon.

thanks scott

The Pansonic HVX200 battery is still pretty long lasting in cold weather, and as for the timelapses shot with my SLR, I would go through 4 or 5 batteries switching them in and out.

Also taping handwarmers to the batteries helps.