Welcome to Bogus Basin’s 2023-2024 Winter Season Impact – a recap of meaningful data and highlights from the 2023/24 Winter Season. As a non-profit mountain, Bogus Basin exists to provide affordable, accessible, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education to the Treasure Valley. This mission is set in motion as we:
- Prioritize continuous improvements to mountain operations
- Offer a variety of affordable education programs
- Partner with our community to host mountain events
- Contribute to the sustained existence of the mountain thanks to our non-profit model which ensures and promotes circular reinvestment, allowing every Bogus Basin visitor to contribute to the present and future stewardship of the mountain.
At Bogus Basin, we are grateful to have you– our community– and the mountain, as both stakeholders and shareholders (guiding compass and beneficiary). This unique attribute distinguishes us from many ski areas across the country and guides our actions, decisions, and investments.
As we reflect on a memorable season, we hope our 2023-2024 Winter Season Impact Report offers an invitation to reflect on the many shared achievements, meaningful partnerships, and ongoing improvements that demonstrate our commitment to fulfilling Bogus Basin’s mission and continuing to serve our treasured community. Thanks for being here!
MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS
While the 2023-24 Winter Season may have kicked off with drier-than-usual conditions, it was no match for Bogus Basin’s snowmaking team, nor for the mountain’s loyal community of visitors, who together, helped to set new records for both snowmaking and visitation during the 2023-24 season. This season, Bogus Basin welcomed over 430,000 visitors and was open for a total of 142 days, and 100 nights, providing over 1,500 hours of access to mountain recreation.
First to open
Bogus Basin welcomed winter guests back to the mountain the weekend before Thanksgiving for the second year in a row. Yet again, the mountain was the first in Idaho to kick-off the winter season, doing so with its regionally known early-season terrain park and Snowboy Production’s Lowtide Event.
Snowmaking
This season, as the snow took its time to arrive in the Treasure Valley, Bogus Basin’s snowmaking crew—affectionately dubbed by the team the “Snow Sorcerers”—took matters into their own hands. The team delivered on an early opening and provided excellent early-season conditions with 100% machine-made snow. On December 25th, Bogus Basin shattered its own snowmaking record, operating for 58 consecutive hours and transforming over 5 million gallons of water into snow (enough to cover an entire football field with a layer of snow over 11 feet deep!)
Great Conditions
After mid-January, the weather shifted, and Bogus Basin began to see frequent snowfall. With great coverage, came deep powder days and amazing groomers. In the heart of winter, Bogus Basin’s snowpack was more than 120% of average. Bogus Basin’s investment in its grooming fleet provided one of– if not the best– experiences in the region. With ongoing snowfall, the amazing conditions continued well into the spring, allowing Bogus Basin’s grooming team to resurface an impressive number of runs nightly.
Last To Close
In true Bogus fashion, the area announced that its season would be extended. Year over year, the mountain continues to push the boundaries of the community’s perceived winter season, allowing it to offer more hours of recreation than any other mountain in the state. Delivering on our mission, Bogus Basin is focused on providing an exceptional on-mountain guest experience rather than profits, often operating at a loss in the latter stages of the season to provide the local community with accessible recreation – that’s Non-Profit. All Good.
VISITATION
In addition to record-breaking snowmaking efforts on the mountain, mountain-goers flocked to Bogus Basin this season, helping to make the 2023-2024 winter season the mountain’s second most visited season on record. Then, on January 7th, more than 9,400 visitors made their way to the mountain, marking the single largest visitation day in Bogus Basin’s 81-year history.
| TOTAL SEASON VISITORS | 432,289 |
| Alpine Visits | 416,991 |
| Nordic Visits | 10,307 |
| Tubing Visits | 4,991 |
Mountain Improvements
The 2023-24 winter was full of mountain improvements, including additional investments in snowmaking and grooming fleet technologies, immense brush cutting and glading, improved run lighting, building remodels, and a permanent art installation.
After a successful winter season, Bogus Basin announced two new chairlifts will be installed this summer to replace the dated Coach and Bitterroot chairlifts. These chairlift upgrades include terrain additions that will drastically improve the novice-to-lower-intermediate skiing and boarding experience.
education
From learning how to ski or snowboard for the first time to lessons on snow science and winter ecology to participating in competitive racing– Bogus Basin offers numerous, affordable and educational opportunities for learning, connection, and enjoyment on the mountain and the 2023-2024 Winter Season was no exception.
More than 8,000 students enjoyed educational programming on the mountain, in addition to the 120 community attendees who joined for guided snowshoe tours, and those who comprised the 19,476 ski and snowboard lesson visits on the mountain this winter. Keep reading to learn more about Bogus Basin’s educational programs!
Life Sports
3,149 Participants | 60 Schools | $405,000 in Subsidies | $16,000 in Scholarships
Bogus Basin’s Life Sports Program offers local students the opportunity to experience skiing or snowboarding, often, for their very first time. Each program provides students with free or subsidized equipment rentals, lift tickets, and lessons, making it accessible and affordable for students across the Treasure Valley to try a new winter sport. This year, Life Sports introduced a new program for homeschool students, welcoming 836 homeschool participants to the mountain for fun on the snow!
SNOWSCHOOL
3,342 Participants | 58 Schools | $93,576 in Subsidies | $9,384 in Scholarships
During the Winter, Bogus Basin’s snowshoe trails transform into a classroom like no other. Now in its 19th year, Bogus Basin’s SnowSchool is the flagship site for this Winter Wildlands Alliance program. The program, which hosts dozens of students every day during the winter season, aspires to inspire the next generation of environmentalists and conservationists by fostering curiosity and instilling a deep love for the natural world in every student who attends. Powered by a team of field instructors– seasonal staff, and passionate community volunteers– SnowSchool participants learn about a wide variety of topics, including snow pits and crystals, their local watershed, winter wildlife adaptations, and more.
School Race Program
1,534 Participants | 80 Schools | $32,844 in Subsidies
Now in its 66th year, the Bogus Basin School Race Program welcomes middle and high school students to the mountain to represent and compete for their school, offering an affordable, educational, and accessible gateway into social racing. Supported by more than 150 seasonal volunteers, students choose to race in downhill, freestyle, and/or Nordic events at varying levels of experience, and those who participate in three or more races are invited to compete in the annual Dotty Clark Memorial Race, the culminating championship race of the season. This winter, 422 middle school students and 475 high school students participated in the two-day Dotty Clark event.
THEMED SNOWSHOE TOURS
63 Participants | 16 Hours of Free, Wildlife Education | 8 Unique, Ecological Topics
Led by tour guide, retired Forest Wildlife Biologist, and former U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Biologist with 30+ years of experience in natural resource and endangered species management, Ray Vizgirdas, Bogus Basin’s Guided Snowshoe Tours offer participants the chance to take a leisurely snowshoe walk through what Vizgirdas calls “a little slice of paradise right in their own backyard.” Each tour covers a different winter ecology or wildlife topic, introducing participants to everything from snow shelters to plant identification and uses.
COMMUNITY
Each year, in addition to hosting on-the-mountain events for the entire community to enjoy, Bogus Basin is proud to partner with local community organizations, businesses, and non-profit organizations to support programs that provide affordable access to mountain recreation experiences. As we reflect back on our 2023-2024 Winter Season Impact, we’d like to give a special shoutout to the following non-profit and community partners for their collaboration and ongoing contributions to the Treasure Valley.
Non-Profit Partners
The Phoenix
The Phoenix is an active sober community and nonprofit organization that helps people recover from substance use disorder and heal by leveraging the intrinsic, transformative power of social connection and activity. Events led by The Phoenix are free to anyone with a least 48 hours of continuous sobriety. This season, 46 participants joined The Phoenix on the mountain for free twilight/night skiing and riding.
“Snowboarding sober at Bogus Basin is about immersing yourself in the sport, enjoying the thrill of riding down the mountain, and appreciating the beauty of the surroundings without relying on external substances for enjoyment. It’s a liberating and empowering experience, allowing you to connect with the sport and nature on a deeper level while maintaining clarity and focus.” I’m so grateful for the partnership between Bogus Basin and The Phoenix for allowing me these opportunities.”
-Mike, Organizer & Participant, The Phoenix
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth to achieve their full potential. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, young people are matched with mentors who serve as positive role models, friends, and a listening ear. This season, Bogus Basin was proud to welcome two Big Brothers Big Sisters matches to the mountain to enjoy a day of free skiing and riding.
Mission43
Mission43 provides servicemen, women, and military spouses with opportunities to succeed in Idaho after the military through education, employment, and engagement. Since its early beginnings in 2016, Mission43 has helped thousands of veterans and their spouses advance to a better quality of life. This season, Bogus Basin welcomed more than 200 Mission43 members to the mountain for a day of free, family-friendly tubing.
CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION
Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is on a mission to provide opportunities and support to people with permanent, physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF supports athletes at every level and ability through grants, camps, and clinics, empowering lives through sport. This season, Bogus Basin offered discounted tickets to 77 CAF participants, many of whom came out to try a new winter sport for the first time.
“We’re really lucky to be able to work with a mountain like Bogus Basin that’s so accommodating, beautiful, and close to town– it makes for a great space to come out, play, and for many– to experience something new.”
-Heather Lopez, Director, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Idaho
SheJUMPS
SheJumps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to increase the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities. SheJumps’ Wild Skills programs and events teach young girls the survival and technical skills they need for outdoor adventuring. This season, 39 girls joined the strong women of Bogus Basin’s ski patrol team for Wild Skills: Jr. Ski Patrol Day. Throughout the day-long event, participants learned about a range of outdoor skills utilized by ski patrollers to keep those on the mountain safe, including first aid, avalanche control, tobogganing, rescue techniques, and more!
Community Partners
In addition to the aforementioned non-profit partners, we’d also like to express our gratitude to the following community partners for their continued collaboration and support of Bogus Basin. Thank you to:
- Boise State Outdoor Program
- Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce
- The 366th Fighter Squadron
- Boise Parks and Recreation
- Dawson Taylor
- Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU)
SUSTAINABILITY + STEWARDSHIP
As a non-profit mountain recreation area, we believe sustainability and stewardship go hand in hand. Bogus Basin aspires to manage and care for the mountain and its resources—environmentally and fiscally—to ensure the longevity of mountain access for generations to come.
This work would not be possible without the support of Bogus Basin’s Environmental Education & Stewardship Team, which inspires and equips visiting mountain recreationists to become proactive environmental stewards. In addition, the generosity of mountain visitors and donors contributes to Bogus Basin’s sustained growth and development as a community resource.
Environmental Sustainability & sTEWARDSHIP
Community Programming
During the 2023-2024 Winter Season, Bogus Basin’s Environmental Education & Stewardship Team engaged the community in over 21,490 individual, on-the-mountain learning hours. In addition to SnowSchool programming and involvement (a 13% increase over last year’s participation), the Environmental Education & Stewardship Team also hosted two new, free community events: a Ski Re-Use and Repair Clinic and a D.I.Y. Sustainable Shot-Ski Workshop during the closing weekend on the mountain.
“Events like the Ski Re-Use and Repair Clinic are an awesome opportunity for people to learn about how re-using the gear that they already have is a great waste reduction strategy. Instead of buying new gear, people can keep their gear in-use for longer and reduce the amount of materials, energy, and all of the inputs that go into making new gear.”
-Catherine Milner, Workshop Volunteer
Recycling Efforts
In addition to providing meaningful community education, the Environmental Education & Stewardship Team was also responsible for recycling efforts on the mountain. This season, the team recycled 1,614 lbs (51,600) cans of aluminum and 11,350 lbs of cardboard– the respective equivalent of keeping a car off the road for 21.5 months and avoiding the consumption of 97.5 trees!
financial stewardship
During the 2023-24 Winter Season, Bogus Basin saw a 127% increase in donations to the non-profit mountain recreation area compared to last year. This year’s donations included funds raised during Idaho Gives, The Year End Appeal, The Early Season Pass Sale, Bogus Bash Online Auction, General & Misc. Donations and Name-Only Chair Banners, amounting to over $490,000, provided in donations, grants, and sponsorships to support the future of the mountain!
Did You Know?
Every $1 spent with Bogus Basin is a dollar reinvested in the mountain? Thanks to Bogus Basin’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, every time you make a purchase or donate to Bogus Basin, you make a direct contribution to support the current and future operations and improvements of the mountain. Bogus Basin exists thanks to your generous support– thank you.
Thank you for an incredible 2023-2024 Winter Season!
Summer is coming, and we can’t wait to have you back on the mountain! We recently announced our 2024 artist lineup for the popular (and free!) Music on Mountain concert series, which kicks off July 13th, and there’s still more to come!
Check back soon or visit our Summer Events page for updates on mountain access to cross-country and downhill mountain biking, the Community Race Series, Music on the Patio, Yoga on the Mountain, Guided Nature Programs, and the Boise Mountain Bike Festival. Catch you on the mountain soon!
About Bogus Basin
Opened in 1942, Bogus Basin winter operations offer 2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain and 200+ acres for night skiing; eleven lifts – including four high-speed quads – and three people-mover surface lifts; an 800-foot tubing hill. The Nordic Center offers 37 kilometers of groomed trails. Environmental education and community outreach programs serve over 20,000 individuals annually, primarily youth. Bogus Basin is located 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest.
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is one of the largest non-profit recreation areas in the country. It is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the community to provide accessible, affordable, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education. Bogus Basin summer activities include a challenge course, mountain coaster, summer tubing, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, gem panning station, The Basin Gravity Park, cross-country mountain biking and hiking, free community events and educational programs, chairlift service to access hiking and biking trails, and guided nature hikes.
