Building in Vermont: what wood siding holds up best in our climate? Getting conflicting advice.

New build in central Vermont, 6800 HDD zone. Architect says cedar, builder says LP SmartSide, and I want real wood but something that won't need repainting every 4 years. House faces west so the front takes full weather. Anyone in northern New England running hardwood siding? What species and how's it holding up? Budget is- installed for the material, is that realistic for anything beyond cedar?