Nikki Sixx Reflects on Turning 65, Shares About His Peaceful Life in Jackson Hole: 'I'm Very Grateful' (Exclusive)

Nikki Sixx is embracing a new milestone — and a completely different environment — with his family as he turns 65.

While out at the Jackson Hole International Film Festival (JHIFF) over the weekend, the musician spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about life in Wyoming and how "grateful" he is to be a part of the peaceful, outdoorsy community.

"It just really clears our head and allows us to reset," Sixx tells PEOPLE of he and his wife Courtney Sixx, 38, who share daughter Ruby, 4. "We spend a lot of time outside. I mean, the whole point of being here is to really be outside whether you're into skiing or fishing or hiking or being up on the lakes or snowmobiling."

"And it's very social here, so it's fantastic for us," the Mötley Crüe bass player shares of the friendly, like-minded town. "I wake up and I'm like, 'I can't think of a place I'd rather be.' And to be able to still be creative at 65 and have a wonderful family and be surrounded by good friends. I'm very grateful."

As for the first person who wished him a happy birthday on his special day? "Ruby," the dad of five says fondly. Sixx has four older children Gunner, 32, Storm, 29, Decker, 28, and Frankie, 22, who all individually serve as an "inspiration" to him in his ventures, he says.

Throughout the day of "chilling" and picking out a Christmas tree on Monday ahead of his low-key dinner with friends, Sixx also expressed how happy he was to receive "beautiful text messages" and emails from people he's known for "years and years."

"It's just a great opportunity to reach out and let people know how you feel. So I'm feeling very loved today, very happy."

"No gifts, all gab!" Courtney chimes in of celebrating more simply this year.

Sixx adds, "And a big initiative for me has been over the years and moving forward is the charitable side of things and giving back."

Along with raising funds for charities like Covenant House, the artist and photographer has been branching further into the film community, as he and Courtney serve as board members of the Jackson Hole International Film Festival.

"We love the idea of bringing arts and culture to Jackson," Sixx says. "We've been talking about this for the last year and a half or so, it’s been in motion. There's a lot of really fantastic people involved."

The inaugural JHIFF festival was also launched by board chair Stuart Suna, who is the founder and former owner of N.Y.C.'s famed Silvercup Studios. Suna is also chair emeritus of the Hamptons International Film Festival, which has been going strong for over 30 years, which is what Sixx, Suna, executive director Marni Walsh, and the rest of the organization intend for JHIFF.

"It's the first of many years. A great kickoff," Sixx says of the launch.

He and Courtney, who welcomed VIP festival goers with her Bouquet Box Floral Bar on Friday at The Virginian Lodge, spent a lot of quality time with all of the guests and made everyone feel welcome.

Artistic director David Nugent's curated programming held at the stunning National Museum of Wildlife Art included:

Jean Shim's powerful film A Great Divide with Ken Jeong and Miya Cech, which took place in Jackson, kicked off day one on Friday, along with the snappy, heartfelt comedy-drama I'll Be Right There, directed by Brendon Walsh and starring Edie Falco, Kaylie Carter and Jeannie Berlin.

Day two featured Irene Taylor's stunning documentary Trees and Other Entanglements, J.A. Bayona's Society of the Snow, and Golden Globe-nominated American Fiction.

Then on Sunday, The Taste of Things starring Juliette Binoche, the captivating true crime-style doc They Called Him Mostly Harmless directed by Patricia E. Gillespie and produced by Ethan Goldman, and Finn Taylor's masterpiece, Avenue of the Giants, closed the festival.

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Sixx — who teased a new music-themed animation project coming next year with The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff and "new music with Mötley" — appeared relaxed and happy over the weekend, taking pictures with all the visitors, voicing how genuinely proud he is to be a part of this new community.

"Spending more time getting to know other board members, directors, writers, seeing films, you know, going out and having dinners — it's just been a great experience."