Recapping on Bogus Basin’s Early Season Milestones
With operations underway since our mid-November kickoff, the 2023/24 winter has already proven to be full of impact and excitement. As we celebrate our 81st birthday this week, we look back at an early season recap full of success at your favorite not-for-profit mountain.
After a historic 2022/23 winter season – the longest season in our 80-year history – expectations were high for another snow-drenched year. While early winter conditions have been drier than normal, our snowmakers, aka snow sorcerers, have persisted. This year, we opened front-side operations on 100% machine-made snow for the first time in Bogus Basin’s 81-year history.
Community Impact – An Early Season Recap Since November 2023
- AcresGroomed
- 1,500+
- Gallons ofWater ➡️ Snow
- 14 MM
- GuestsUplifted
- 36k+
- NewEmployees
- 500+
- FreeCommunity Events
- 8
Bogus Basin’s 81st season So Far
Weekend 1: Lowtide & The Gathering — Party In The Park
To kickoff Bogus Basin’s 81st season, we hosted Low Tide 2023 – a collaboration between Krush Kulesza of Snowboy Productions and Bogus Basin Terrain Parks. True to its name, Low Tide took advantage of the shallow early season base made possible thanks to the efforts of our snowmaking team. For this second annual early-season event, 617 happy park rats made their way to Bogus Basin to enjoy The Explorer Terrain Park and get excited about the upcoming winter season. Some came from as far as New York to get in on the action!
Weekend 2: Coach Chairlift spins
In late November, favorable chilly temperatures made it possible to blanket Coach’s Corner Run with machine-made snow. Thanks to many late nights of snowmaking and the dedication of our snow sorcerers, on Saturday, November 25th, we turned on a chairlift for the first time in the 2023/24 winter season. Over the weekend, $15 lift tickets were sold, providing Treasure Valley locals with the opportunity to get back on snow for the first time since May 2023. Over 1,300 guests chose to come up to enjoy the Bogus Basin lifestyle!
Weekend 3: Deer Point And A Surprise Morning Star Opening!
Finally, on December 1st, a nice early season storm made its way to our mountain, delivering 16″ of fresh fluffy snow. With hustle engaged, our snow sorcerers turned on the pumps and fired up the cats. Their quick action and blessings from Mother Nature allowed us to announce a surprise Frontier Point Trail System and Morning Star Express Chairlift opening with service to Silver Queen – an addition to the planned operations for December 2nd and 3rd, which included The Explorer Terrain Park, Easy Rider & Discovery Conveyors, and Coach & Deer Point Express Chairlifts.
Weekend 4: Lifts Spin Daily, Nordic Terrain Expands, And The First Community Race Series
On Friday, December 8th, we commenced daily operations on both the Alpine and Nordic sides of the mountain, granting access to many eager midweek pass holders. On Saturday, December 9th, we successfully kicked off daily Nordic operations with Nordic Fest and the Skiathlon – the first Community Race Series of the year!
The Community Race Series Skiathlon brought over 47 Nordic skiers to The Nordic Highway, challenging racers with a two-lap, two-discipline race.
Immediately following The Skiathlon, race participants and community members were invited to Nordic Fest – an annual event hosted at The Frontier Point Lodge that provides an opportunity for 112 members of the community to purchase a discounted $5 ticket, enjoy free rentals, and try out the Frontier Point Trail System for the first time.
Weekend 5: Night Operations & Back Side Opens!
While early season conditions persisted throughout the start of December, on December 15th, we eagerly celebrated the first night of moonlit skiing. Finally, on December 16th, we lowered the ropes to the backside – opening Pine Creek Express and Superior Express chairlifts for the public to enjoy.
Mountain Updates
Ticket release schedule & holiday hours
Please keep in mind that Day and Night Tickets are released on Wednesdays for the upcoming weekend and the following week during normal operations. During the upcoming holiday season – December 23rd, 2023 through January 7th, 2024 – Day and Night Tickets are released three days in advance for purchase online or in-person at the downtown or mountain ticket offices. We highly encourage visitors to purchase their tickets before making the drive up as we may reach capacity on busy weekends and holidays.
Holiday Hours are in effect from December 23rd, 2023 through January 7th, 2024. Midweek Season Pass blackout dates are in effect during this holiday period.
Public Bus Transportation
Beginning December 26th, 2023, Cascade Student Transportation starts offering public bus transportation to the mountain on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays. Round-trip bus tickets are available for $10 (cash-only). For a complete 2023/24 bus schedule, please click here.
Upcoming Events
New Year’s Day Parade & Fireworks
Ring in the New Year with Bogus Basin! We have a variety of festive New Year’s Day events planned for the first day of 2024, including a slope-side parade and fireworks show. We welcome the community to come and enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate as Grand Marshals– General Manager Brad Wilson and Bogus Basin’s Board Chair, Pat Kelly – lead the torch-lit parade down the mountain.
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.
