Top Things to Do in the Winter in Boise

The days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder, meaning the festive season has arrived in Boise. From gliding on ice around a dazzling holiday tree or watching a local production of The Nutcracker, there is no lack of activities this holiday season. For locals seeking a new adventure or visitors eager to experience the city’s holiday traditions, this guide is your key to unlocking the festive magic of Boise!    Sledding Photo credit: outdoortroop.com Local staples include Camel’s Back Park and Simplot’s Hill. For the more adventurous, tubing options are shared below! Grab a hot cocoa from Mocha Moose, Hyde Perk or Java in Hyde Park and make a fun day on big snow days.     Skiing & Tubing at Bogus Basin Photo credit: visitidaho.org There’s nothing more exhilarating than flying down the slopes, whether on skis or in a tube! Bogus Basin offers alpine skiing and snowboarding, with 10 lifts serving 88 runs. Night skiing is offered at a discounted price for a fun evening activity. There is also a tubing hill for those who don’t want to strap on skis or are looking to keep the kids entertained. The tubing hill features an 800-foot run with a conveyor belt to take you back to the top. There is something for everyone at this locally run nonprofit hill, with Nordic skiing also available!   Tubing at Eagle Island State Park Photo credit: temeculablogs.com Gateway Parks at Eagle Island State Park opens a tubing hill every year starting at the end of November and staying open until March. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance on weekdays and an hour in advance on weekends or holidays. This hill offers a fun and safe tubing experience for everyone and you can book a reservation here.   Ice Skating at The Grove and The Village Photo credit: Unsplash Ice skating is the perfect way to spend a day or evening with friends and family this winter. Glide on Grove is a new skating rink in downtown Boise that offers ice skating completely for free (including skates, helmets, and skate aids). The rink surrounds the City of Boise’s holiday tree and opens on Thanksgiving weekend. The Village in Meridian also has an ice rink this year, open now through January 15th. Reservations are required and the cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Book tickets here.    Watch The Nutcracker at Morrison Center Photo credit: morrisoncenter.com Celebrate the joy of the season with a timeless classic of The Nutcracker presented by Ballet Idaho. The performance features children from the Ballet Idaho Academy alongside professional company members, with live music provided by The Boise Philharmonic and Opera Idaho’s children choruses. This performance will take place at the Morrison Center from December 15th through December 24th and tickets can be purchased here.   Shop Local at Winter Markets Photo credit: facebook.com/boisemerrymakers Boise is home to multiple winter markets this festive season. Highlights include the Wintry Market, featuring arts, crafts, and design, and the Merry Makers Market, a pop-up shop full of locally homemade gifts. These markets offer the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and get in some holiday gift shopping! Check out this blog post for more information.   

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6 Events in Boise & Beyond November 17th - 19th

Credit: Pexels 6 Events in Boise & Beyond   1. Winter Wonderland Opening Weekend Where: Indian Creek Plaza When: Friday - Sunday Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   2. Winter Beer Fest Where: Lost Grove Brewing Co. When: Saturday, November 18 Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   3. Wintry Market Where: Boise Centre When: Friday & Saturday Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   4. Paint with Penguins at the Zoo Where: Zoo Boise When: Sunday, November 19 EVENT DETAILS HERE   5. Lincoln’s Words Today Where: Idaho State Archives When: Saturday, November 18 Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM EVENT DETAILS HERE   6. Canyon County Christmas Show 2023 Where: Ford Idaho Center When: Friday - Sunday Time: Times Vary EVENT DETAILS HERE  

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Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter

Photo Credit: Unsplash Selling a home in winter can be a prime time for homeowners who have done their homework and have a little bit of patience. Winter is generally a slower time of real estate activity as the cold weather and holidays have would-be buyers focused on other things. However, there are still buyers out there who need to purchase a home and with limited inventory, may be looking at yours. Thinking about selling your home during the winter months? Here are some benefits and tips to making it a worthwhile effort.   What are the benefits of selling a home in winter?:   Less inventory. Many homeowners pull their homes off the market or hold off until spring to list due to the colder weather and busyness of the holidays. When selling your home, less inventory means that your house will stand out and face less competition as options will be more limited. Serious buyers brave the cold. Although activity is much slower during the winter months, we see that more serious buyers stay in the house hunting game. These buyers typically have a need to move and are more motivated to make an offer. Winter conveys feelings of nesting. The added ambiance of joy and togetherness due to the holidays and colder weather can help make your home more attractive to buyers.    What to consider when selling a home in Winter: Photo Credit: UnsplashPreparing your home for showings in the winter has a unique set of home preparation reminders. Consider using this checklist to ensure your home is ready to show!   Maintain a comfortable temperature to give a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. 68 degrees tends to be the sweet spot, as it's not too hot to overheat bundled up buyers. Ensure that walkways and driveways are clear of snow and ice to stop slips and falls while boosting curb appeal.  If your home has a gas fireplace, make sure to turn it on for added warmth and ambiance.  Keep snow from piling on the roof and trees, as this can prevent ice dams and other liabilities. When it comes to holiday decor, minimal decorations are okay, but refrain from over-the-top or personal displays.

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