Industry News
Bogus Basin Ski Area, located just outside Boise, Idaho, is a unique ski resort that operates as a non-profit. Its mission is centered on affordable recreation, community engagement, and reinvesting in its facilities to benefit skiers and snowboarders. Since it is managed by the Bogus Basin Recreation Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all revenue generated from lift tickets, season passes, and other operations is reinvested back into the mountain. These funds are used toward upgrading infrastructure, community programs, and year-round activities.
The resort’s non-profit status allows it to keep prices lower than many competitors, making it an accessible destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Its unique model ensures that its focus remains on the local community, sustainability, and expanding outdoor access rather than maximizing profit. Last spring, Bogus Basin’s volunteer board of directors voted unanimously to pay off the mountain’s $4 million of remaining debt, making the resort debt free.
Bogus Basin sells two-thirds of its season passes during its annual season pass sale, which ran for 10 days ending on March 9. In recent years, strong season pass sales and new offerings, including summer operations, have allowed the area to invest more than $70 million in capital projects. The price for an adult unlimited pass increased to $549, up from $459 the year before. The $90 hike was a 19.6% increase.
Since the sale has passed, the cost of the same pass is now $649, another 18.2% increase from the early bird price. It should be noted that even though large increase came as a surprise to some, this is still a very affordable season pass, and the resort offers many other options for winter pass products including night, twilight, midweek, and value passes, along with different price options based on age and demographics.
Bogus Basin General Manager, Brad Wilson commented on the price change to the Idaho Statesman:
“We’re giving people choices. It’s a complex situation, but we really want to try to provide something for every family, every budget. I think our market understands that these price increases will mean more improvements, more necessary maintenance. This summer, we’re going to be remodeling the outside of the Pioneer Lodge, for instance. We made sure that the groups that are most susceptible to price increases had the least price increase. Young families, in particular—we want to make sure that we’re here for them.
Is this due to Idaho’s Ski Area Liability?
It is unclear if the price increase is due to the legal landscape currently taking shape in Idaho. The case of Milus v. Sun Valley Company has sparked a major legal battle in Idaho that could redefine ski area liability, potentially endangering small ski resorts and increasing operating costs of others.
The case involved Stewart Milus, who died after colliding with a snowgun at Sun Valley, leading to a wrongful death lawsuit. Initially dismissed due to Idaho’s Ski Statutes, which limit ski area liability if certain duties are met, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that ski areas must adhere to a “reasonably prudent” standard rather than having no standard at all.
This ruling overturned decades of precedent and increased legal uncertainty for ski resorts, prompting concerns over rising insurance costs that could push small ski areas out of business. In response, Sun Valley requested a rehearing, arguing that Milus had assumed the inherent risks of skiing. The Idaho Legislature also introduced a bill to reaffirm the original legal interpretation, but it stalled. The Supreme Court’s final ruling later this year could reshape liability standards, impacting ski industry operations and insurance costs in Idaho.
While Bogus Basin remains one of the most affordable ski areas in the region, the recent price increases reflect the challenges of maintaining and improving a mountain operation in today’s economic landscape. Rising operational costs, continued reinvestments, and the need to enhance infrastructure all contribute to these adjustments. Additionally, ski area liability laws may have played a role in the price hike, as resorts must account for the increasing costs of insurance and legal protections to comply with state regulations. As the industry navigates these challenges, Bogus Basin’s commitment to affordability and community access ensures that it remains a cherished destination for local skiers and snowboarders.
