Bogus Basin, ID, Report: Sunset Laps at Idaho’s Home Mountain

Report from Saturday, March 1, 2025

We arrived at Bogus Basin, Idaho, in the afternoon, greeted by the kind of spring conditions that make skiing this time of year so special. Considered the first spring by Idaho locals, reaching a high of 51°F, the snow was soft, the sun was shining, and the relaxed atmosphere was exactly what you’d expect from a mountain built by and for the local community.

We had the privilege of touring the resort with Bogus Basin’s marketing team—Austin, Bridgette, and Cassidy—who gave us an inside look at the mountain’s history, recent improvements, and exciting future plans.

Unlike many ski resorts, Bogus Basin isn’t designed as a tourist destination. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its mission is simple: serve the Treasure Valley (Boise and surrounding communities). That philosophy is reflected in everything from affordable lift tickets to a loyal season passholder base that overwhelmingly comes from Boise zip codes. According to Austin, skier visits per season regularly break into the top 30 resorts in the United States.

While Bogus Basin may not market itself to out-of-town visitors, it has the kind of terrain, culture, and atmosphere that makes it feel like one of skiing’s best-kept secrets. Whether you’re looking for steeps, long groomers, or hidden powder stashes, there’s something here for every skier—and the ability of crowds to spread out means you can still find untouched snow and fresh corduroy well into the afternoon.

Spring Conditions and Soft Afternoon Turns

Our visit came at the tail end of a storm cycle, with the last big snowfall hitting two weeks ago. February alone brought over seven feet of snow, and with a solid base in place, the transition to the first spring has been incredible.

One of the things that makes Bogus Basin unique is its ability to hold onto good snow conditions long after the morning rush. Thanks to the way the mountain is laid out, you can find corduroy or even powder at 1 p.m. on a Saturday—a rarity at most ski areas.

Another perk? The “secret groom.” At around 5 or 6 p.m. every evening, Bogus Basin sends out snowcats to lay down fresh tracks on the ridge as they make their way back to Chair 6, just in time for sunset laps. The result is an incredible skiing experience, where late-day visitors get to enjoy crisp, untouched groomers as the sun dips behind the peaks.

This then casts a golden glow over the valley below. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss, and the resort’s multiple parking lots provide easy access to the mountain’s scenic vistas. With 2,200 winter parking spots, there’s plenty of space for everyone. Parking is conveniently located across different areas of the resort, including options mid-mountain, ensuring some visitors can ski from their cars—a highlight on a good powder day.

A Legacy Built by the Community

Bogus Basin has been around for 83 seasons, with a history that stretches back to December 20, 1942. Back then, local skiers saw the potential for a ski area close to Boise and came together to create the Bogus Basin Ski Club, installing a few rope tows and building the foundation for what would become one of Idaho’s most beloved ski areas.

The resort expanded in the 1960s and ’70s, adding T-bars and chairlifts, then continued to modernize in the decades that followed. Some of the major milestones in Bogus Basin’s history include:

• Deer Point Chair 1 (1996) – The first high-speed quad on the mountain.
• Pine Creek Chair 6 (1999) – The go-to lift on a powder day.
• Superior Chair 3 (2012) – Improving mid-mountain access.
• Morning Star Chair 2 (2019) – Expanding beginner-friendly terrain.
• Coach Chair 7 (2024) – Expanding family terrain.
• Bitterroot Chair 5 (2024) — Increasing uphill capacity.

The Bitterroot Chairlift was the most recent major lift improvement, upgraded this past summer from a double to a quad. This area has deep racing roots, once hosting 1,800 junior ski racers per season, and with the new lift, it’s seeing a resurgence of family-friendly skiing. Bogus Basin even cut a brand-new run in this area, giving visitors more options.

As for the future, one of the biggest projects on the horizon is the realignment of the Showcase lift to run straight up Tiger Peak. This would provide faster access to the backsidefor experienced skiers and open up new terrain possibilities. The goal is to complete the project within the next 1-5 years, though, as part of the resort operates on U.S. Forest Service land, any changes can be a complex process.

Exploring the Mountain: Backcountry Access, Nordic Trails & More

Bogus Basin’s terrain is as varied as its history. From steep tree runs to perfectly groomed cruisers, there’s no shortage of ways to explore the mountain. A few highlights include:

• Chair 6 (Pine Creek) – Where everyone heads on a powder day.
• Bitterroot Basin – Home to fresh-cut groomers and hidden powder stashes in the intermediate family area.
• Backcountry Gate off Moore’s Mountain – For those looking to earn their turns.
• 37km of Connected Nordic Ski Trails – Making Bogus Basin the Nordic capital of Idaho.

The resort’s Nordic program is particularly impressive. It boasts some of the best cross-country skiing in the region, with well-maintained trails that attract skiers from across the state.

Night Skiing & the Magic of Inversions

One of Bogus Basin’s biggest draws is its night skiing. Unlike most resorts, which shut down by 4 p.m., the mountain keeps lifts spinning until 10 p.m. every night. That means on weekends, you can ski from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.—a full 13 hours of skiing in a single day.

And then there’s the inversions. Boise is known for getting socked in with cloud cover during the early winter, but Bogus Basin, at 5,800 feet, often sits above the clouds in brilliant sunshine. The transition typically happens halfway around mile 8 of the drive up, where you break through the low-hanging fog and emerge into a totally different sunny world.

Innovation: Snow Secure’s “Man-Made Glacier”

Bogus Basin is also pushing the boundaries of snow preservation. Through a pilot program with Snow Secure, the resort is experimenting with storing snow through the summer.

By compacting and insulating snow in specific locations, the resort could retain up to 70% of it, creating a compounding effect where snow is stored and redistributed when needed. If the ground underneath remains frozen, the system could even gain insulating power over time, essentially forming a man-made glacier capable of withstanding Boise’s 80-degree summer heat.

If successful, this could be a game-changer for early-season skiing, reducing the need for excessive snowmaking and improving the consistency of early and late season conditions.

Bogus Basin Legends

Every ski resort has its own quirks, and Bogus Basin is no exception. One of the best-known traditions? The trolls.

According to local legend, skiers should lift their feet or open their car doors when crossing the cattle guards on the drive up. This, supposedly, lets trolls in, ensuring a good day on the mountain. While it started as a fun superstition, Bogus Basin has fully embraced the lore, installing troll features in the family zone. Each troll is named after a ski run, adding a fun, local touch to the mountain experience.

The Bottom Line

Bogus Basin is the ultimate locals’ mountain—authentic, affordable, and packed with great terrain. It doesn’t chase out-of-town tourists, doesn’t have fancy slopeside lodging, and doesn’t need to. Instead, it focuses on what truly matters: delivering a high-quality ski experience for people who love skiing.

With major lift upgrades, innovative snow storage technology, and unbeatable spring conditions, there’s no better time to visit. The sunsets are unreal, the snow is soft, and if you’re in Boise, there’s no excuse not to head up.

The Resort

Bogus Basin, located just 16.5 miles north of Boise, offers 2,600 acres of skiable terrain, 200 acres of night skiing, and a vertical drop of 1,800 feet. The resort features 10 lifts, including four high-speed quads, providing access to a wide variety of runs for all ability levels.

Forecast

Snow Numbers