As the capital of the “Gem State,” it’s only fair that Boise would hold the crown for winter adventures. Destinations, vacations, fresh air, long weekends, family memories—whatever you’re after, there’s always something new to discover in Southwest Idaho.

The best part? Most of these extraordinary journeys are only a quick car ride away from Boise. It sounds surprising, but trust us—winter is actually the perfect time to pack the car and head into Idaho’s beauty.

Snow transforms the state into a destination dreamland, giving you exclusive access to winter getaways, family fun, and lifelong memories.

This is our list of the best winter day trips, scenic stops, and weekend getaways only a short drive from Boise.

1. Sun Valley:

Relentless demand, combined with a seasonal slowdown in new listings, sent Ada County home prices to a new record in December.

The median single-family home price in Ada County rose to $546,000 in December. Climbing nearly $114,000, or 26%, from the previous year, it marks a new peak.

Idaho’s most populous county is not alone. Home prices have made double-digit jumps throughout the Treasure Valley.

• Canyon County home prices rose $80,000 through 2021, ending at $419,480. That’s a 23% year-over-year leap and just $4,000 below the record.
• Boise home prices tied August’s record of $510,000, an increase of nearly $90,000 (21%) from just twelve months ago.
• Meridian’s prices rose to their second record in as many months, finishing December

With more than 200 miles of trails surrounding the city, it’s no exaggeration to say that Boise is a haven for hikers. It’s also a great way for families to explore the rugged beauty of our high-desert ecosystem. Below, we highlight some of the best trails in and around Boise, from easy paths that double as great nature walks for kids, to challenging day hikes. All you’ll need to pack is your sense of adventure, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

Mountain Cove

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2 miles, 175’ elevation gain
Estimated time: 45 to 60 minutes (location)

Mountain Cove is the most accessible trail in the Military Reserve trail complex, which is located in Boise’s East End neighborhood. The mostly flat trail parallels a creek and culminates in a

A plunge in new listings sent Ada County home prices to near-record highs in November.

Across the Treasure Valley, supply is shrinking fast due to continued strong demand from buyers and a sharp drop in new listings.

The median home price in Ada County rose to $538,450, just $1,500 shy of the all-time record set in July. Over the last 12 months, prices have risen $111,000, or 26%.

In neighboring Canyon County, the median home price rose to $409,450, up $84,000, also a 26% increase from the year prior. Prices in the county are down 3.4% from the record high set in June–in line with the seasonal trends we typically see this time of year.

In recent months, we have seen a return to the seasonal trends of slowing home price gains in the fall.

What you don’t know about Idaho VA Home Loans can hurt you–and your wallet.

Respect and appreciation for the military is a cornerstone of American life, and the Department of Veterans Affairs exists, in large part, to facilitate ongoing programs and care for veterans following their service. One of the most valuable perks of military service is the VA Home Loan, a mortgage product that helps members of the military and veterans purchase their homes with favorable terms and no down payment.

Originally an outgrowth of G.I. Bill, VA Loans were created to help returning World War Two soldiers readjust to civilian life by offering them the opportunity to buy a home with no money down and easier financing. The housing boom (and Baby Boom) that

Home prices in both Ada and Canyon Counties remained virtually unchanged from September. Continued strong demand from buyers and a decline in the supply of homes for sale is keeping upward pressure on prices.

In Ada County, the median single-family home price rose to $533,950, up $124,000, or 30%, from October of 2020. In lower-cost Canyon County, prices rose to $423,445, up just over $102,000, or 32%, notably just missing a new record by $550. In both counties, home prices are below the highs set over the summer, but both finished the month higher than August.

Most years, the local housing market follows a seasonal trend: Prices and inventory tend to rise in the spring and summer months before falling in autumn. Of course, as with many other

One of the best ways to celebrate winter is curling up on the couch with a hot drink and a good book. One of the worst ways is frantically calling an HVAC maintenance specialist during the first snowstorm of the year because your heat has suddenly stopped working. Yet many Treasure Valley homeowners still skip basic maintenance and home checks each season until they have an emergency on their hands.

That’s a hard and expensive lesson to learn–and one you can avoid with a few easy steps each fall. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to keep in mind to get your Boise-area home ready for a cozy, emergency-free winter.

Inspect Your Roof

You may not be thinking of selling your home at the moment, but simple annual maintenance will save you a

With our abundantly sunny skies, temperate spring and autumn seasons, and impossibly long summer days, it’s no surprise that the Treasure Valley has become a golfing oasis. But with more than 20 emerald-toned golf courses across the valley, choosing where to play can set your whole game up for success – or failure.

Which is why we’ve profiled the best public and private courses in the Treasure Valley. Whether you’re a newbie, a scratch golfer or a twice-a-year duffer, here’s what you need to know about the Boise area’s most popular golf courses – and what makes each of them unique.

The Club at SpurWing

6800 N Spurwing Way, Meridian, ID 83646
(208) 887-1800 | Website
Course: Private and includes the Championship Course (par 72) and Challenge

Driven by a short supply of new listings, Treasure Valley home prices continue to hover at near-record levels. The Ada County median single-family home price rose to $534,950 in September, up 31% from last year and $4,450 from just last month. Homebuyers in Canyon County faced a median home price of $422,000 – a 36% annual increase and up $11,500 from August. Both counties finished September with their second-highest price to date.

Let’s take a closer look at data from several of our local markets.

• Boise’s median single-family home price was $495,000 in September, a $100,000 jump (up 26%) from last year.
• Meridian set a new median sales record with $546,000. That’s $146,000 over last September’s sales price, or a 37% increase.
• Hitting

Celebrating Fall in the Treasure Valley: Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides, and Corn Mazes

There are many ways to mark the arrival of fall – like sipping that first hot cider or steaming pumpkin spiced latte of the season – but nothing beats the tradition of visiting a local, family-owned pumpkin patch and selecting the perfect pumpkin to adorn your porch.

Fortunately, we’ve made it even easier to do so. Below you’ll find a list of Boise pumpkin patches, corn mazes and even a sunflower field to explore with your family. What better way to embrace fall than by making lasting memories with the people you love most?

Lowe Family Farmstead

2500 S Eagle Rd, Kuna, ID 83634
(208) 922-5678 | Website
Open: Mon-Thurs 4-9 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-10 p.m.