Boise, Idaho is one of the Pacific Northwest’s best gems, and when you visit Boise during the winter you’ll see that the city really shines. From skiing to hot springs, Boise’s great outdoor adventures are only minutes away from its busy downtown with great restaurants, craft breweries and local wineries. Check out our pick of the best things to do in Boise in winter.
This is a guest post by Faith from 3ticketsplease
Winter Weather in Boise and What to Wear
While the mountains around Boise get lots of snow, the city itself is fairly temperate in the winter. With average winter temperatures of around 40 degrees, you will definitely want a winter coat, hat and gloves. But you can save the arctic wear for your days on the slopes.
What to Do In Boise, Idaho in the Winter
Boise is a fabulous outdoor destination, even in the winter. Check the weather before you head out on the trails, and come prepared to wrap up in layers on the slopes and you can enjoy the very best of Boise in the winter!
- Culinary and Cultural Tour of Boise
- Boise River Guided Rafting, Swimming, and Wildlife Tour
- Boise Booze and Bites Cocktail Tour
- Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure
You can browse more tours and attractions in Boise here. While you’re visiting Boise, plan a trip to the affordable and off-the-beaten-path Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho or the state’s little sliver of Yellowstone National Park.
Skiing on the Slopes of Bogus Basin
Located just 18 miles from Downtown, Boise’s local ski resort Bogus Basin is shockingly affordable given that it has 11 lifts and over 2,600 skiable acres. One of the few non-profit ski resorts left in existence, a day at Bogus is perfect for all levels of skiers seeking bluebird days that don’t cost a fortune.
If skiing or snowboarding aren’t your thing, but you still want a day on the mountain, Bogus also has a tubing hill and a Nordic area for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Hot Springs in Idaho City
After a day on the snow, nothing feels as good as a soak in the hot springs. The city of Boise has the largest geothermal heating utility in the country. Over 6 million square feet of business and over a hundred Boise homes are heated by geothermal heat.
And while there is a river of thermal water under the city, you do have to travel a short distance to Idaho City for the closest recreation. But it is absolutely worth it.
Just 40 minutes to the northeast, in the small town of Idaho City, you will find The Springs, one of the best hot springs in Idaho. With modern pools and spectacular mountain scenery, a day at The Springs is the best place to let the snow settle on your eyelashes.
Hiking the Foothills
For a city located so close to high mountain skiing, visitors are often surprised by the hiking that is still available in the winter in Boise. And yet, the foothills of Boise are open year round.
Due to its high desert climate in town, snow rarely stays on the ground in Boise making hiking a year round activity. Two of our favorites are Table Rock hike, which goes from the Boise Botanical Gardens to a beautiful overlook where you can take in the whole city. The climb takes about an hour and a half up and back and rewards hikers with a bird’s eye view of the city below.
Military Reserve is another popular choice for locals. Just north of town, Military Reserve is a web of different trails that run through the foothills. The 735 acre natural area was once used for military purposes, hence its name. But since the 1940s it has been the perfect place for all levels of hikers (and mountain bikers) to get out into nature.
Before you hike, make sure it has been dry for the last few days. And of course, dress in layers to prepare for the weather. Check Ridge to Rivers website for trail closure details.
Walk The Greenbelt
The Boise River Greenbelt is a wonderful park in Boise. The paved riverside path runs 25 miles through the center of Boise on both sides of the Boise River, giving you access to nature in the heart of the city.
While it is far busier in the summer, it is still a lovely place to spend a sunny winter day and a great way to see a sunrise or sunset.
Explore the Food & Drink in Downtown Boise
After a day of adventuring, Downtown Boise is full of great places to eat and drink and has become a hub for craft beer. Home to over 15 local breweries, Boise has a flavor for everyone.
Try our personal favorite, 10 Barrel Brewing, with its Profuse Juice and Steak “Not Just” Nachos. Or go just a little bit outside of Downtown, closer to Boise State University to visit Lost Grove Brewing. Their First Sight IPA is more than alright!
You can also take a food tour in Boise to get more inside info on the best places to eat in Boise and try a couple of beers along the way. This food tour on Viator gets great reviews and includes 6 stops at food stores, markets, and restaurants in Boise, with passes by key landmarks along the way.
Christmas In Boise, Idaho
If you come to Boise in December, you will definitely feel the spirit of the holiday season. Downtown’s streets are decked out in lights, local shop windows are aglow, and not one, but two Christmas trees await you.
Since Boise is the state capitol, we are home to two Christmas trees. The first is the Idaho State Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the Idaho State Capitol Building. And then, not to be outdone, just a few blocks away, there is the Boise City Christmas tree in the Grove Plaza. Both trees have ceremonial lightings that are just lovely.
But if its lights you crave, there is no place as enchanting as Winter Gardens A Glow. From the end of November through the first of the New Year, the Boise Botanical Garden strings over 500,000 lights throughout their landscape to celebrate the season.
Complete with holiday music, free cookies and hot chocolate, and visits from you know who, there is no place more magical in Boise to experience the holidays.
New Year’s Eve in Boise
If you are in the Capital City for New Year’s, you are in for a treat. Idaho’s signature event drops an illuminated GloTato at the Idaho State Capitol. Yes, you read that right, a lighted potato drops from the sky at midnight and fireworks ensue as we celebrate Idaho’s Famous Potatoes.
Since 2013, Boise has been competing with the Big Apple as the best place to ring in the New Year. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance as it is a popular time to visit Boise!
Where to Stay in Boise, Idaho in Winter
For travelers to Boise, the downtown area is where you really want to stay. While there are more discounted hotels, like Red Lion, near the airport, most visitors really want to be downtown so you can be close to the action. Expect to pay around $200 and up a night for a room downtown.
The Modern: While there are many great places to stay downtown, the Modern is by far our favorite. A reanimated Travelodge, the Modern has mid-century modern down to a science. The place is so cool and perfectly located. >>>CHECK PRICES
Franklin House: A unique stay just blocks away from downtown is Franklin House, a bed and beer. The renovated 1896 house was once a Boise icehouse and now hosts 5 rooms each uniquely decorated. All guests must be 21+. The backyard is available to guests and the community and features 14 taps of beer, cider and more. And the all-important fire pit to keep you nice and toasty in the cold winter evenings. >>>CHECK PRICES
If you’d like more options, you can browse value hotels on Booking. There are also various options for Airbnbs in Boise too, take a look at some of the rental homes available here.
FIND MORE GREAT HOTELS IN BOISE
The Best of Boise in the Winter
A trip to Boise in the winter means great outdoor adventures, delicious local food and beer, and some pretty great holiday cheer. But if you love it (and we guarantee you will!) come back to visit Boise in the summer to explore the awesome waterways in Boise on a kayak or stand up paddleboard.
About the Author:
Faith Hansen, along with her husband and son, make up 3ticketsplease. As teachers, Faith and Matthew have the time to travel as a family, but not always the money. And so the trio travels the world on a budget with a focus on using public transit and pedal power. They have seen over 20 countries together with no plans to stop any time soon. You can find their budget family travel ideas on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Top Travel Tips for Boise Idaho
Check out my top tips for booking your Boise vacation:
Getting There
- Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to your destination.
- Public buses are the cheapest ways to get to your accommodation from the airport, but a shared shuttle transfer is quicker and cheaper than a taxi - you can pre-book those on GetYourGuide or Viator
- Try Omio for booking trains and Busbud for buses including Greyhound and Flixbus.
Where to Stay
- For hotels, I use Booking.com to check reviews and find the best deals on hotels and apartments wherever I'm travelling to. Hotels.com is another good site.
- If you're on a tight budget, use Hostelworld to find the best hostels all over the world
Hire a Car
- Get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.
Book Tours and Activities
- I use GetYourGuide or Viator to book everything from skip-the-line entry tickets to food tours as I can compare options from several companies and choose the best one for me
- If you're staying in a hostel, check out their tours and activities which are usually free or very cheap - and a great way to meet people!
Get Travel Insurance
- Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, stolen items, trip cancellation and more.
- Get a quote for your trip from True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers. Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.
Check Your Travel Documents
- Don't forget to check the validity of your passport and any other documents for your trip. Use iVisa to check if you need a visa to visit your destination, and get up to date official travel advice from your government, for example on the Department of State website in the US or the UK government website.
Get Cheap Currency
- When travelling abroad, using a travel bank account like Wise means you get great deals on foreign currency - including a fee-free transfer of up to £500 when you use this link to sign up.
Top Money Saving Tip for Backpackers
- Work exchanges are a great way to travel for longer and extend your trip as you can save a ton of money on accommodation. Get an extra $10 discount on Worldpackers here or learn more about work exchanges.
