Go from sun up to sun down in Boise.

We dare you to pack all this into a winter day.

One of the best things about Boise is everything you can do in a single day: You can be skiing the mountains in the morning, hiking the foothills in the afternoon and sipping a seasonal cocktail downtown by evening. Here’s how we recommend you spend a full winter day in Boise. Will you accept the challenge?

Start with coffee

Boise has tons of amazing coffee shops to choose from, each with their own vibe and specialties. You could start the day at Form & Function on Broad Street, where their passion for making delicious coffee equals their drive for sustainability and social responsibility. You’ll love the modern, minimalist aesthetic. You could also try Dawson Taylor, a local favorite at 8th and Bannock Streets. They use a hands-on roasting approach to get the best flavor from their beans. In downtown Boise, there is a coffee shop on almost every corner, so there’s no shortage of caffeine fixes. 

We dare you to try a Bowl of Soul (a cup of coffee mixed with fresh Mexican hot chocolate) at Java.

Head to the mountains

You can literally see Bogus Basin ski resort from downtown Boise. So when you’re ready to get outdoors, just head up the road about 16 miles (45 minutes) from downtown to the 7,582-foot tall mountain. Here, you can ski, snowboard, snowshoe, tube or Nordic ski into the evening. Overall, Bogus has 66 trails, 2,600 skiable acres and receives over 200 inches of snowfall each season.
Ski and snowboard lessons are available at Bogus, and you can easily rent ski or snowboard gear (including Nordic skis) onsite. Night skiing is available till 10 p.m. seven nights a week.

We dare you to fly down one of Bogus Basin’s most difficult runs, Liberty, which goes right off the face of Shafer Butte. It’s a double black diamond and definitely not for beginners. Wide-open drops await you but be sure to watch for trees.

Soak in a hot tub

Nothing beats a dip in a hot tub after skiing or snowboarding. The Riverside Hotel has amazing indoor and outdoor heated hot tubs and pools, as well as a dry sauna. The Grove Hotel also has a large pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and full gym. Truthfully, they both feel more like resorts than hotels.

We dare you to seek out a nearby hot spring instead for a winter soak.

Treat yourself to some retail therapy

When you’re ready to shop, Boise has many independent boutiques and all your favorite national chains. Downtown is filled with unique shops like the Record Exchange on Idaho Street and Idaho Made on 6th Street. There are many other locally-owned businesses you can walk to in downtown Boise, including shops such as Fluff Hardware, Banana Ink, Compass Goods and more.

We dare you to find a rare vinyl at The Record Exchange.

Bring your appetite

Whatever type of food and style of restaurant you like, from casual to more formal, you’ll find it in Boise. We have dishes that represent almost every corner of the globe, including multi-course dinners. KIN offers a five-course food and beverage experience fused together through storytelling. Be sure to stop by ART HAUS, KIN’s casual, no-reservation bar with beer, wine and seasonal cocktails. 

If you’re looking for something more relaxed, head to the Warehouse Food Hall on 8th Street, which is quickly becoming downtown Boise’s culinary center. It has more than ten eateries and two bars, all under the same roof.

We dare you to find the secret speakeasy in the same building as KIN and ART HAUS, where the bartender creates a custom drink based on your favorite liquor and tastes.

Immerse yourself in nightlife

No need to stop the fun when the sun goes down. Downtown Boise is full of bars and clubs, perfect for any night crawl. Will you let loose at a bass-thumping dance club like Amsterdam Lounge or sip on a cocktail at a cozy watering hole like Atlas Bar? Let the night take you where it will. 

We dare you to ride the bull at Dirty Little Roddy’s.