There is quite a bit to bee keeping, hive management can be tricky. However, with a bit of time spent and a possibly a good mentor, most people could do a decent job of keeping some hobby bees around. Looks like you are in Calgary, not all that far from olds college, which has an introductory bee keeping course over a weekend I believe (ie never gone myself).
To answer some of your questions:
1) bees make honey as long as the nectar is flowing (plants flowering). You an count on May/June to end of August as their production months.
2) if properly managed, a hive sticks around forever. There are some factors that make them more prone to swarming. They have relatively poor winter survival rates, I believe the provincial average is about 60%.
3) a fantastic hobby, interesting no doubt.
If you are interested in trying some hives, PM me. I've sold a few starter kits to people in the past., and I try to make sure people are set up with a hive that has potential. Unfortunately they aren't cheap.
Best of luck.
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