CRUD, CRUST and CORDUROY! IdaHome’s Guide to the 2021-22 Ski Season BY MICAH DREW
BOGUS BASIN: All Good For All! Projected Opening Day: Thanksgiving Distance from Boise: 18 miles (40 minutes) Terrain: 2,600 acres, 1,800 vertical feet Single-Day Lift Ticket: Adult $73 / Senior (70+) $49 / Teen (13-17) $52 / Junior (7-12) $29 For the third winter in a row, BOGUS BASIN will begin winter operations with a guaranteed Opening Day!- thanks to dedicated investments in snowmaking equipment over the last few years. But as every powder hound knows, we must never ignore the ironic blessing of nature, which can always allow the mountain to open with a generous heap of its own white stuff -just like last year. “There’s nothing like installing a $6 million snow system to bring the early season natural snow,” said Director of Community & Customer Relations Susan Saad. “However, it’s a nice insurance policy as we progress into the season and fill in those spots that get a little bare.” On the heels of last winter’s real estate surge coupled with great snow, Bogus saw record visitation. Saad attributed the boom to having the longest operating hours of any mountain-west resort, as well as making the choice to lower cost on mid-week season passes, which continues this year to encourage visitors to enjoy nonpeak hours. “The new appreciation people have to be able to escape to the outdoors seems to be a
lasting thing,” Saad said. “We’re so fortunate to have Bogus Basin right here and our bright spot was definitely the enthusiasm we had for our night visits.” Recently, Bogus has completed 53 capital improvement projects, totaling $6 million. The resort added nearly 200 parking spaces, including expansion of the ski in/ski out lots and pavement on the main lot. The installation of web-cameras to six parking lots will also benefit guests, allowing drivers to monitor available spaces before making the 172 turns up the mountain and plan ahead, in order to spend more time carving turns down Greenie’s run. After two successful years of snowmaking, the number of fan guns on the slopes has doubled to fifty, ensuring full slope coverage in just half the time. Three new snowcats, including one dedicated for Nordic trails, will better buff the terrain. Saad also said that the resort made investments in efficiency by adding new chairs to the Superior and Morning Star lifts, boosting capacity by 30%. Without last-year’s COVID-protocol limitations on loading, the
PHOTO COURTESY BOGUS BASIN
resort projects will facilitate swifter operations. Translated-than means shorter lift lines. To enhance the après experience, the lodges have received some interior design updates with new furniture and advanced circulation systems, and dining options expanded to the slopes with a new food trailer at the base of the Pine Creek lift. As a nonprofit resort, “everything we make goes back into the operation,” Saad said. “Everything hinges on the success of the season and the ongoing support of the community. If seasons continue going well, we anticipate having the resources to put into the area to keep improving.” In 2016, Bogus outlined a 10-year development plan, but completed the plan in just five years, paving the way for a new proposal this year. While the latest plan is awaiting Forest Service approval, it includes a footprint expansion that will push the resort’s terrain over 3,000 acres. The proposed expansion will include a mile and a half, green trail, five blue trails and two black lines, plus copious amounts of steeper tree-skiing terrain. We all want to believe there is no math involved when we hit the slopes- but if you add up all that new vertical feet- Bogus will almost have a new ski resort within itself !
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