The Treasure Valley, a collection of cities in Southwest Idaho near Boise, is high desert, yet the extensive dam system provides efficient water storage as the snow in the higher elevations melt and join the Payette  River  or the Boise River system breaking off into a myriad of canals and waterways throughout the adjoining cities.  Boise, and the surrounding cities that make up the Treasure Valley average 13 inches of rain, and 18 inches of snow each year.  Lest you picture yourself trudging through a foot and a half of snow to get to your car, keep in mind that the snow usually melts by noon, so picture yourself in merely inches of snow or simply cold weather that could support snow, instead.  December averages 31 degrees

Spring is nothing short of stunning, especially for those of us from California where one season did not look much different from another.  Trees are bursting with new leaves and flowers, tulips, peonies and a plethora of other flowers poke through the ground.  Gardening here is a serious seasonal sport!

Summers are traditional high desert summers.  June is our favorite month as the dam opens up allowing the snow melt to fill the canals and rivers, wildflowers fill the foothills, it’s the perfect biking season as the weather has cool mornings with highs averaging in the 80s.  July and August are warm, staying in the low 90s, but peaking to 100 on an average of eight days each summer.

Fall is quick, but beautiful dropping to an average high of 65 degrees by the end of October.   The valley’s shades of orange and red make daytime walks, or a trip to McCall a must.  By November, the leaves are gone averaging 48 degrees in the daytime and 32 degrees at night as we prepare for the holidays and wax our skis.

The four seasons are a treat to those of us growing up without the change in scenery and pulling out the sweaters and jackets in the winter or taking the boat out each spring signals a new and exciting season of adventure!