Industry News
Bogus Basin, Idaho, a non-profit resort located just 45 minutes outside of Boise, Idaho, just announced plans to replace two of its chairlifts, the Coach Chairlift and the Bitterfoot Chairlift, with brand new quad fixed-grip chairlifts in the summer of 2024.
The Coach Chairlift has been in use for 43 years. More than 19 million chairs have arrived at the top of “Coach’s Corner,” and the lift has been in operation for more than 65,000 hours in its 43-year history at Bogus Basin. The old lift will be replaced with a fixed-grip quad rather than a high-speed quad. While a detachable high-speed quad would have provided a slightly faster ride time, it would have cost $2.5 million more than the fixed grip. The new quad-chair will have a total ride time of 2.9 minutes and a vertical rise of 323 feet.
“Delivering an exceptional learn-to-ski experience is incredibly important for our guests, the future of Bogus Basin, and the ski and snowboard industry as a whole. The new Coach chairlift and expanded run will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve that goal.”
— Jamie Zolber, Director Skier Services, Bogus Basin
The Bitterroot chairlift was installed in the summer of 1973, just one year after the Showcase chairlift, which is the oldest chairlift at Bogus Basin. Bitterroot Basin gives access to fun and easy-going terrain as well as the race course. Because the current lift can only load two guests at a time, guests tend to avoid it in favor of Morning Star Express because the lines at the base of the Bitterroot chairlift typically get crowded due to the number of ski racers. The new quad chairlift will reduce lift lines significantly because it more than doubles the uphill capacity. The new lift will have a total ride time of 4.9 minutes and have a vertical rise of 538 feet.
“With the exciting replacement of the Bitterroot chairlift, we will introduce our guests to underutilized beginner and intermediate terrain that is conveniently accessible via two ski-in/ski-out parking lots.”
—Nate Shake, Director, Mountain Operations Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin hosts over 500,000 guests each year and has been rapidly expanding thanks to the constant improvements the non-profit resort has been making. These ongoing investments, which add up to more than $60 million, include more snowmaking, summer operations, new chairlifts, and a number of other major improvements.
