Rainy Day Recreation

RAINY-DAY

RECREATION

BY MICAH DREW

Spring has had a few false starts this year, as it does every year in Idaho, and the constant return to near-winter conditions and cloudy days might make you want to head indoors for entertainment. Thankfully, the Treasure Valley is not lacking in rainy-day options.

Embrace the cold

Fresh off the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, there’s no better time to embrace your inner Olympian and get out on the ice by visiting Idaho IceWorld.

“We offer everything ice-related,” says Manager Ryan Winchester. “We’ve got learn-to-skate, learn-toplay hockey, learn-to-curl, figure skating, youth leagues, adult leagues, public sessions for each sport — there’s something for everyone.”

IceWorld draws a huge following for the youth hockey leagues, and while the changing seasons herald the off-season for many winter sports, there’s no shortage of chances to improve skating skill for any specialty.

Winchester says there was a noticeable uptick in popularity at IceWorld when the Olympics kicked off, particularly with the curling clubs, which have grown the most in recent years. Curling, a game of giant shuffleboard played on ice, sees a national resurgence every four years, with each cycle gaining momentum during the Winter Games. Now’s the perfect time to learn how this odd sport works so that you’re ready to compete next winter!

Chase the puck all year at Idaho Ice World. / Courtesy Idaho Ice World

We’ve got learn-to-skate, learn-to-play hockey, learnto-curl, figure skating, youth leagues, adult leagues, public sessions for each sport — there’s something for everyone.

Climb your way to health at Commons Climbing Gym / Courtesy The Commons Climbing Gym

Climb out of your funk

Southern Idaho has no shortage of opportunities to hop on belay and scramble up a cliff or park the van and spend weeks on a project boulder, but when winter doldrums or rainy skies have you craving a day at the crag, it’s time to head to The Commons Climbing Gym.

The Commons was forged through the resiliency of the Boise climbing community. The Commons is a full-service gym with 45-foot-tall roped walls, bouldering, training classes, a fitness area, and yoga studio. The gym’s ethos is community — the name was chosen to represent that.

“The Commons is a gathering place, where we can share our passion for climbing and community,” says Manager Kellina Breakfield of the gym’s culture. “Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a first-timer, The Commons wants to be a part of your journey. We welcome you with open arms!”

TENNIS

IS A TRANSFORMING EXPERIENCE!

These words have become the motto for the Idaho Tennis Association (IdTA), for we believe that tennis is more than forehands and backhands. It is an avenue that changes lives. The Idaho Tennis Association is a district within the USTA to bring leagues, social tennis, free clinics, and more for adults. For juniors, there is a pathway that includes: 10 and under play, junior team tennis, un-sanctioned play opportunities, and tournaments.

For more information, visit www.idtennis.com

Over 30 programs in high demand health fields

Keep your eyes on the target when axe-throwing at Base Camp! / Courtesy Base Camp Pong + Axe

In addition to all the services you could ever need in a climbing gym, The Commons has additional levels of catering to its community. Members can climb during member-only hours each week, and the website features a “climber count,” a regularly updated tally of users to make planning to hit the off-hours even easier.

Throw it away

On any given day, if you’re looking to check off all the boxes of a full-bodied Boise experience, there’s really only one place to head: Base Camp Pong + Axe, Boise’s largest gastropub and event center.

While axe-throwing bars have swept the nation’s attention in recent years, few places have elevated the activity to the level that Base Camp has, adding in a premium ping pong lounge in addition to a full bar and restaurant.

“We give people the opportunity to do something; it’s more than a place to just sit around, eat, drink, and socialize,” says owner Keith Phillips. “Our key thing is to create experiences — we’ve elevated ping pong beyond what you’d do anywhere else, we’ve got the cathartic release of axe-throwing, plus a bar of people cheering for you. Combine that with great food, local beer, wine, and cocktails, and it’s a unique way to show off Boise.”

The locally-owned Base Camp is truly the scene for all occasions, whether it’s for a date night, entertaining family from out of town, or just looking for a place to catch up with friends.