The Treasure Valley is situated in an idyllic location for year-round recreation opportunities. Now that we’re in the middle of the winter, it’s time to enjoy the beautiful snowy weather with some of these unique winter activities.
Drive up to Bogus Basin
Last month we featured The Best Ski Resorts in Idaho and Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is hands-down one that deserves to be on that list. You’ll find Bogus Basin just 16 miles outside Boise. You don’t have to go far for some great skiing and snowboarding!
Not only is Bogus Basin one of the most convenient resorts for those who live in Boise but the variety they offer makes it great for all levels of experience. Bogus Basin has a lot to offer for first-time and strong skiers alike with both day and night skiing less than an hour away from downtown Boise. Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, Bogus Basin has something for you! On the mountain, they have a tubing hill and a mountain coaster. That’s right, a mountain roller coaster that sends you on a twisting and turning self-propelled blast of a time through the snowy trees along the ski trails.
Attend an Idaho Steelheads Game
One of the best parts of winter in downtown Boise is the Idaho Steelheads. If you’ve never been to a game, the Steelheads are a minor league hockey team and they’re a joy to watch. Steelheads games are almost always sure to be a lively event packed with action. Better yet, they’re very affordable! If you buy Friday tickets in a 4 pack they’re only $12 a ticket.
Sledding at Camel’s Back Park
If you’re looking for a great sledding hill, look no further than Camel’s Back Park in Boise’s North End. It’s an 11-acre urban park managed by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department. The park itself is adjacent to the 63-acre Camel’s Back Reserve and the 292-acre Hulls Gulch Reserve.
Throughout the summer, the park offers access to amazing hiking trails in the Boise foothills. When there’s snow on the ground though, the hill within the park provides an amazing opportunity for sledding. Just make sure to be careful of fences and boundary markers that park crews may have placed around the area. Once the snow melts the park also offers picnic and play areas, an outdoor gym, practice fields, and facilities for tennis and volleyball.
Celebrate Winter at the McCall Winter Carnival
This is an event unlike any other! Starting in 1965 as a 2-day festival of winter events at Brundage Mountain Resort, the event has since grown to a 10-day long festival. This year it’ll be on January 27 to February 5.
The event consists of a variety of winter events like dog sledding and performances on ice, parades, live music, local vendors, and much more. Perhaps one of the most unique events here that attract people’s attention is their snow sculpting competition. The carnival typically draws 60,000 people to McCall throughout the event.
This is a truly unique experience and a taste of winter activities in Idaho you don’t want to miss!
Hit the Ice at Idaho IceWorld
Idaho IceWorld is the state’s premier indoor family ice skating and entertainment center. It features two NHL Regulation-Sized Ice Rinks (85′ x 200′). Both rinks are equipped with custom scoreboards and time clocks visible from the ice as well as the stands.
They offer plenty of skating activities like adult and youth hockey leagues, figure skating programs, Learn-To-Skate and Learn-To-Play Hockey programs, and public skating sessions.
Break out the skates and head on out to Idaho IceWorld to get your skating itch taken care of.
Fight the Cold at Edwards Greenhouse and Flowershop
Tired of the cold? There are winter activities in Idaho that don’t include turning into an icicle. Head on over to Edwards Greenhouse and Flowershop. Bask in the warmth and enjoy the sights and smells of green plants at the middle of winter.
Edwards Greenhouse is a family-owned business, serving the Treasure Valley since 1930. Their greenhouses and farm are heated almost exclusively by geothermal water. The geothermal well was drilled and developed in 1927. With a 90,000-square-foot covered greenhouse and a flower shop to boost, you can trust that they know what they’re doing with their plants. They carry a variety of annuals, vegetables, herbs, perennials, nursery stock, trees, and houseplants. Their garden store offers a variety of garden supplies.
If you want to get a start on your plant game for 2023, this is the place to be.
In speaking of beating the cold, then you’re in luck: Idaho has a lot of hot springs. We have 2 recommendations.
Take a dip at The Springs in Idaho City
This destination is fantastic all year round, but in the winter it’s extra special. At The Springs you can rent a private hot spring pool or enjoy one of their public pools. Why does the winter make it extra special, you might ask? The snow of course! While you’re enjoying the comforting warm water of the hot springs, outside the pools it will be a winter wonderland.
You can purchase gift cards that can be used at The Springs to include access to their main facilities, consumables, retail items, or private tubs. They also have a hotel to create the perfect staycation.
Hop on a snowmobile to Burgdorf Hot Springs
For those adventurous spirits out there, this is a must-do! About an hour past McCall, Idaho, is a rather remote hot spring pool, Burgdorf Hot Springs. It’s a rustic, historic resort nestled in the mountains of the Payette National Forest in central Idaho, 32 miles north of McCall.
When there’s no snow, driving there is no problem. During the Winter months, access is only available by snowmobiles. If you want to make an adventure out of it, rent some snowmobiles!
It will be well worth the extra cost and you’ll be able to make memories that last forever. Right now they’re open to the public for cabin stays and day soaks by prior reservation only. When you arrive at the hot springs, you’ll notice just how special this remote destination is. For the most part, there’s no cell service so you’ll be able to completely disconnect and be in the moment. If you’d like to stay the night they offer small cabins that are heated only by a wood-burning fireplace.
