5 Best Things to do During Winter in Boise
We like to think of Boise as a winter paradise. It gets very cold, and the snow and ice can be a pain to deal with, but we know how to have fun in the winter. Here are our five top recommendations for ways to enjoy the holiday season and beyond.
Bogus Basin
We’re lucky to have Bogus Basin nearby, a non-profit ski resort with skiing and tubing, plus snowshoe and Nordic trails.
Skiing season goes from Thanksgiving to mid-April with 2,600 acres of skiing runs with names like Deer Point, Morning Star, and Pine Creek. If it’s your first time skiing or you need a refresher course, you’ll be glad to know that Bogus Basin offers lessons. You can rent equipment, too.
Do you want to try something a little different? Then ride Glad Runner, the on-site roller coaster, or play a few rounds of disc golf.
Ice Skating
Do you enjoy ice skating during the winter? Then you’ll be glad to know that we have several excellent skating venues in the area.
Idaho Ice World is an indoor ice rink. Ice skating and hockey classes are on the schedule. Yes, you can sign your kids up for hockey classes to teach them the basics of this icy sport.
The Village at Meridian has ice skating from Mid-November through the end of January. You’ll need to make reservations online, and time slots go in increments of 30 minutes. Spend the rest of your time there shopping, having a meal, or catching a movie.
Indian Creek Plaza in nearby Caldwell has a great outdoor skating rink. Get a skating pass, rent your skates, and go. Just outside the rink are gas fires to keep you warm while you’re not on the ice.
Hockey Games
Sports lovers will have fun watching Boise’s own minor league hockey team, the Idaho Steelheads. They play from December to late March and you can get tickets to any of their home games on their website. Also, visit the site to learn more about the team and the individual players.
Gateway Parks at Eagle Island
A fun place to go tubing, skiing, and snowboarding is Gateway Parks. This snowy terrain park helps kids and adults learn the basics of snowboarding and skiing. During December, you can also get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The park has all the equipment you need. Bring your enthusiasm and skills, or lack thereof, and have fun. If you’re not great at skiing or snowboarding yet, that’s okay, because you’ll learn. Purchase your tickets and get a reservation for a 90-minute adventure before you go, then enter and have a snowy blast.
Local Hot Springs
Yes, we understand how one can tire of the cold during the winter! Maybe you just want to get warm without bundling up. Well, that’s what visiting a hot spring is all about. There are three wonderful hot springs sights within an hour of Boise.
First, let’s bring your attention to the Springs Resort in Idaho City. You’ll need to make a reservation online several days in advance. Once you get here, you can relax in natural pools overlooking the Sawtooth Mountains.
Givens Hot Springs features a hot spring swimming pool, but camping, too. Bring your RV or tent and enjoy a fun weekend. We encourage you to make reservations, or at least to peruse the website for its features, fees, and rules.
Gold Fork Hot Springs features alkaline, mineral-rich water in a gorgeous area. Open daily from noon to 8:00 p.m., they also care about your health. That’s why COVID vaccinations are required and they will check your vaccination card with your ID, and they take only cash. You’ll also experience some warmth outside the water, as the changing rooms and walkways are heated.
Need a place to store your summer clothes, business supplies, and more in Boise? Then visit us at Keylock Storage. Our helpful features include 24-hour camera surveillance, indoor vehicle storage, and more.
