Clear, cold days, shimmering frosty mornings, and a backdrop of foothills blanketed in snow: these are the defining sights of a winter in Boise.
Despite a belief that Idaho turns into a frozen tundra during the winter, Boise and the Treasure Valley often don’t see much snow, and instead, enjoy a relatively dry and clear cold season.
As a Boise local, I’ve experienced all the goodness that a valley winter has to offer, and it’s not a short list. Here’s just the beginning of a few things you can do every winter in Boise and the surrounding areas.
Best Winter Activities in Boise
Winter Sports and Outdoor Recreation
Bogus Basin: But Bogus Basin has more than skiing to offer: there’s snowboarding, tubing (for the uncoordinated and younger
With the perfect mixture of quaint old-town charm and a modern urban vibe, BoDo offers a city lifestyle with all the perks.
In the heart of Downtown Boise, you will find a shopping, dining, and commercial district locals affectionately refer to a BoDo.
This vibrant part of the Boise city center combines work and leisure, and residents of the nearby condos enjoy a short commute to downtown offices and easy walks to events and amenities.
BoDo’s natural boundaries are Myrtle to Front Street and 9th to Capitol Boulevard. Many offices, shops, restaurants, and attractions call BoDo home, and the area also neighbors Trader Joe’s, JUMP Boise, and the Boise Centre on the Grove.
BoDo residents can walk less than a mile from their doorstep to the
The median single-family home price finished the year at $324,000 in Ada County, up 17 percent from last December.
Missing the all-time high we saw in August, but still the second highest on record.
Thanks to new construction, the total number of homes for sale rose by 6.8 percent to 1,493. While notable for being only the second increase in inventory in more than four years, it will do little to put downward pressure on prices in the next few months.
Over the last 12 months, Boise house prices rose 11.79 percent to $292,400. In Canyon County, the median cost of a home increased by 18.09 percent to $225,495.
Total sales in Ada County declined to 709 from 829 twelve months prior, mainly due to the fact there is so little on the market.
Post-Christmas blues got you down? There are enough events on the Boise calendar this month to get your spirits back up, no matter what kind of activity floats your boat.
January in Idaho is the coldest month of the year, but it’s also the month of classic events and entertainment like the McCall Winter Carnival, basketball games, film festivals, and many other reasons to get out of the house and experience Boise.
January is a popular month in Idaho to take in the beauty of winter, get outside (despite the temperatures), and savor a slower pace before the busy days of spring and summer. Here are the must-do events you should have on your calendar this month in Boise.
As Boise continues to grow and gain a vibrant local personality, craft beverages are making their mark on the city’s food scene. In downtown Boise alone, there are over 13 locally-owned, craft coffee shops with every vibe you can imagine—from Instagram-worthy aesthetic to eclectic, cozy to bustling, breakfast spot to late-night study haunt. Coffee has almost undeniably become a part of Boise’s identity, and we have a feeling the coffee slinging crew is just getting started.
Dawson’s Downtown Coffee House
Wintery Spiced Latte photo courtesy of Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasters
Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasting Company has its roots in Idaho since its founding in 1995. This specialty coffee roasting company has expanded over the years, growing its
Where is the Boise real estate market headed in 2019? In a nutshell - a move to a more balanced market.
First a quick recap of what’s happened over the last twelve months:
Boise area home prices jumped nearly 20%, with most neighborhoods showing flat or declining inventory.
Construction of new homes increased a bit but not enough to offset the high demand we saw from buyers.
Mortgage rates have risen from 3.92% to 4.87%, an eight-year high.
Price Appreciation Slows
Home values in the Boise area have been outpacing the national average since 2011. The double-digit appreciation we have seen over the last year will be a thing of the past in 2019.
The combined effect of higher home prices and higher mortgage rates pushed Boise
There’s no place like home (in Boise) for the holidays! This month as the temperatures near their low point for the year in the Treasure Valley, the holiday spirit will reach its height with events, concerts, markets, and more. Whether you have family in town and want to show them why you love where you live, or you’re looking for a quiet date night event, you’ll find enough options here to fill your calendar and then some. Here’s your list of what to do in Boise this December.
Winter Wonderland Festival | Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell
All month
Every year, Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell becomes a winter wonderland with thousands upon thousands of beautiful lights and holiday decorations to enjoy. This year, the addition of The Ice Ribbon—a
The holiday season is descending quickly in the Treasure Valley, and it’s time to start shopping for the family and friends on your list.
You don’t have to leave the Boise area to be Santa’s little helper this year; no matter who’s on your list, there are local makers and artists with items for everyone.
Here at We Know Boise, we’re all about shopping small and supporting local companies. When you buy from a local business, you’re not only putting something incredible under the tree—you’re also helping another Idaho family during the holidays.
Many Boise-based companies sell online, so you can even shop small from the comfort of your own home.
We’ve put together a guide with some of our favorite small shops, artists and makers to help you
Downtown Boise has been home to cranes and construction crews for the last several years as the area’s population booms. As the City of Boise, developers, and the community grapple with what smart growth looks like, a plethora of new buildings have been added to the downtown skyline. Many of these buildings projects are mixed-use, featuring multi-family housing with retail spaces and parking included.
Buildings such as The Fowler popped up in 2018 with coffee shops and restaurants intermixed with a parking garage and high-end apartments. Mixed-use buildings make living spaces more affordable while cutting commute times and providing added community value with every build. This trend is likely to continue into the future. Here are the new
In each of the past three years, local home prices have remained flat in October. Not this time.
Following a year of new records, the local real estate market had the priciest October since 2013.
The median Ada County home price rose 18.71 percent to $320,403 from a year prior. Down from the record high we saw in August of this year but up nearly $4,000 from September.
The median time a home is listed before selling dropped to 16 days, 2 days quicker than last year.
House prices in Boise helped lead the way, jumping 19.46 percent.
Nearby Canyon County was even brisker with prices jumping 22.17 percent. While down from the twin record highs set in July and September, countywide the cost of the typical home is $39,000 more than it was
