Boise Winters, Honestly

The single most common question I get from out-of-state buyers is about winter. People picture something far more severe than what we live through.

The reality

The valley floor sits around 2,700 feet, so we get a handful of snow events rather than a permanent snowpack. Most snow melts within a few days. You'll want good tires; you probably won't need a plow.

The genuine downside is the inversion — cold air settles in the valley and can hold grey, hazy skies for a stretch in December and January. It's the part longtime residents complain about, and it's fair.

The upside

Bogus Basin is 45 minutes from downtown Boise. You can ski in the morning and be home for lunch. And spring arrives early here compared to most mountain states — blossoms in the valley by late March.