'Change is Inevitable' Bogus Basin Faces the Future

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY BOGUS BASIN

BY SAMANTHA STETZER

Despite the challenges of a pandemic, Bogus Basin enjoyed a record number of Treasure Valley visitors during the 2020-2021 ski and snowboard season. That’s an impressive and complicated feat for a nonprofit resort, facing a swelling population while balancing affordability and value.

Taking a cue from trail maintenance and education organizations like Ridge to Rivers and the Southwestern Idaho Mountain Biking Association (SWIMBA), Bogus’ director of marketing, Austin Smith, says that the resort is in the midst of developing new operations that will assuredly bring change, but also offer beneficial upgrades to residents.

“Change is inevitable,” Smith says. “Change is the presence of improvement — even if at times it feels like it takes a step backward, it’s a minor reset to claw forward.”

BALANCING GREATER DEMAND AND AFFORDABILITY

Since it opened more than 80 years ago, Bogus Basin has maintained a unique foothold across the ski industry. Large corporations dominate ownership of mountain resorts, privatizing the industry and increasing prices for profit and yet, Bogus has remained a nonprofit.

As demand for use of the mountain increases, including summer months of trail and entertainment recreation, so does the need and cost of maintenance and operations.

During the pandemic snow season, Bogus saw five days of seriously congested use.

And 2021-2022 will most certainly bring even bigger crowds.

“[We] could lift prices on day passes and season passes and push local people out of the market,” Smith says. “But we had to ask, who are we serving? Our original population? Or are we now accommodating the new, out-of-market population?”

WATCHING BELOW AND FINDING COMPROMISE

Looking forward, Smith explains, “There may be more limited access during peak times, but rewards for enjoying the mountain in off-peak hours.”

As the resort continues to adapt, Bogus is watching the activity below. Organizations like Ridge to Rivers and SWIMBA have also dealt with a heavy increase in foot and mountain biking traffic. Ridge to Rivers reported that 2020 was the trail system’s busiest year. Ridge to Rivers Trail System Manager, David Gordon, explains that one of its biggest efforts in response to the increase is a new pilot program. As of spring 2021, the organization was segmenting and monitoring usage by deploying “directional and separation of use” guidelines on certain days.

By doing this, Gordon explains, Ridge to Rivers can more effectively manage the impact.

It takes a community to manage a trail system. We are all responsible for keeping our trails in good shape for the next generation.

“It takes a community to manage a trail system,” he says. “We are all responsible for keeping our trails in good shape for the next generation.”

Another large component of responding to heavy use has been educating the community on trail etiquette, SWIMBA executive director Carlos Matutes says. For example, he explains, Boise’s dry climate varies from nearby regions in that using wet and muddy trails can be detrimental to the health of the trail. New or local, not every hiker knows that.

Matutes adds that SWIMBA is also partnering with Ridge to Rivers and Bogus to expand trails across the valley and create bike-specific trail systems. Bogus is already famed for their bike-only trails. As population growth is the new Idaho reality, Smith, Matutes, and Gordon each say they are looking at the expansion as an opportunity.

Ultimately, Bogus abides by its nonprofit status, but balancing the challenges is key to maintaining an affordable resource for the next generation. “Bogus is protected by that [nonprofit] status,” Smith says. “It’s ensuring it for the future. But, it still takes a village.”

The question remains: How much will our exploding Treasure Valley village help sustain this unique amenity?