November 24, 2020 (BOISE, ID)– Opening day for the 2020-21 winter season at Bogus Basin is set for Friday, November 27th. The announcement comes along with especially good news for local skiers and riders– for the first time in several years, the nonprofit recreation area has enough snow to operate all ten of its lifts on opening day.
“This has been Bogus Basin’s lucky year for early snowstorms, and snowmaking conditions. It’s pretty amazing to be opening this early with great coverage throughout the area.”
-Brad Wilson, General Manager
Access to the area over the opening holiday weekend will be limited to season pass holders only; no lift tickets will be available for purchase. “We want to thank our season pass holders, and show them how much we appreciate their early and ongoing support during these challenging times,” said Wilson. Limiting opening weekend access to season pass holders only will also provide the opportunity for the area to fine tune operational adjustments that have been made due to COVID-19. After the weekend, Bogus Basin will close for two days. On Wednesday, December 2nd, the area will open for seven-day-a-week operations.
As part of a comprehensive safety campaign against COVID-19, Bogus Basin will strongly encourage skiers/riders to stick to the slopes and “consider their car their base lodge” this season. Favorable snow conditions and long-range forecasts should help achieve that goal. Access to lodge facilities will be limited to takeout food & beverage, restroom access, and briefly warming up. The area has invested in large, heated outdoor tents where guests can consume purchased food & beverages, and briefly warm up.
Bogus Basin has closely followed CDC, State and Central District Health, and National Ski Areas Association safety guidelines, meeting or exceeding recommended COVID-19 safety protocols. Guests will be required to wear face coverings, physically distance, and sanitize/wash hands regularly. To encourage visits at nonpeak days and times, an additional hour has been added to night operations, and full access season pass sales were limited. Over the summer, Bogus Basin implemented a range of practices, successfully protecting guests and employees from COVID-19.
“I can say with certainty that our team has done everything we can to keep our staff and guests safe. Now we need the community’s support. The success of the season depends on our collective willingness to follow our guidelines. It’s that simple,” said Wilson.
Bogus Basin 2020-21 Winter Season Opening Weekend Plan:
- Opening weekend will be Friday, November 27th through Sunday, November 29th
- Bogus Basin Season Pass Holders only– no lift tickets available
- Priority family/carpool parking (3+ passengers) will be available
- Parking lot shuttles will operate
- Weekend operating hours are 9:00am-4:30pm
- All chairlifts and surface conveyors will operate
- Frontier Point Lodge will be open with groomed terrain
- J.R. Simplot Lodge will be open for takeout food & beverage service (seating available in heated outdoor tent space near lodge), restroom access, and to briefly warm up
- Pioneer Lodge will be open for takeout food & beverage service (seating available in heated outdoor tent space near lodge), restroom access, and to briefly warm up.
- Rental shop will be open– advance, online reservations recommended (season pass holders only)
- The Ski and Snowboard School will be open for private and semi-private lessons, call 208-332-5340 for reservations (season pass holders only)
- The Frontier Point Lodge will be open. Bike, ski, and snowshoe rentals available (season pass holders only). No day tickets available.
- The Tubing Hill will be open– online, advance reservations required
- Downtown sales office hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Friday-Sunday
Full Season Opening:
- Bogus Basin will be closed, Monday, November 30th and Tuesday, December 1st to fine tune operations
- The area will open for seven-day-a-week operations on Wednesday, December 2nd
- Night Skiing will begin on Saturday, December 12th
- The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster will not operate for the 2020-21 winter season
COVID-19 Protocols:
- Know before you go– visit bogusbasin.org prior to visiting for operational updates
- Face coverings required at all times, except when eating/drinking in designated areas and/or on the slopes
- Physical distancing required in life lines, base area, and inside all facilities
- Guests who are not feeling well, exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to stay home
For more information, visit bogusbasin.org or follow Bogus Basin on Facebook and/or Instagram.
About Bogus Basin Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to engaging the community to provide accessible, affordable, and fun year-round mountain recreation and education. Opened in 1942, Bogus Basin offers 2,600 acres of daytime skiable terrain and 200 acres for night skiing, seven chairlifts and three people-mover carpets, and an 800-foot tubing hill. The Nordic Center offers 37 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Environmental education and community outreach programs, primarily youth, serve over 20,000 individuals annually. Summer activities include The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, The Mine Shaft Challenge Course, mountain biking, events, hiking and chairlift service for hike and bike transport. Bogus Basin is located 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho, and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest. www.bogusbasin.org
