Hiya Fleece wife
We had budgies (quite a few, 8 or 10) in an outdoor aviary when I was younger, we're at a similar altitude and exposure to you as you know. They were all fine, their house within the run (or is it called a flight?) was wooden and cosy there were never any problems with cold.
I had a single budge as a pet when I met Bruce and he was friendly, would hop onto my finger and fly round the house (wouldn't have trusted him outside) I never managed to get him to talk but he was bought from a pet shop so I have no idea how old he was - younger birds talk quicker
Bruce had a cockatiel, Levi, he was absolutely fantastic! Would talk, come and nibble your ears (and chew through necklaces if he got the chance
) and was completely hand trained and could be trusted outside. I remember coming home one day to find Bruce and his friend BBQ'ing in our garden with the dog lying on the grass, next to Levi who was just hopping around - they'd brought the budgie out in his cage so he wouldn't be left out
Kaitlin has just acquired her first budgie, he's 8 weeks old, just separated from his mum and after less than a week is hoping onto her finger and starting to make promising talking noises
Bruce has a real affinity with birds and knows a man who breeds budgies and lots of other birds, so if there's anything we can help with just give me a shout.
They're more rewarding than folk think, you get back what you out into them though so if you want super tame, talking birds you do have to spend a bit of time on them initially.
Good luck