Press Release | Bogus Basin Celebrates School Race Program 65th Anniversary

Contact:
Susan Saad
Director, Community & Customer Relations
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
susan@bogusbasin.org

BOGUS BASIN HOSTS 1,100+ STUDENTS FOR 65^TH ANNIVERSARY DOTTY CLARK CHAMPIONSHIP RACES THIS WEEK

Bogus Basin is preparing to welcome over 1,100 junior high and high school students for the 65^th anniversary Dotty Clark Memorial Races. These students, part of Bogus Basin’s School Race Program, will compete in alpine skiing, freestyle, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing competitions on Thursday, February 20^th, and Friday, February 21^st, 2025.

This year marks the 65^th season of the School Race Program, highlighting Bogus Basin’s long-standing commitment to making mountain recreation affordable and accessible for the local community. Participants receive discounts on lift tickets and rental equipment, with additional financial assistance available for those who qualify. In addition, a new program called START was launched this year to support beginner participants by providing free lessons, equipment rentals, and lift tickets. Thirty-five students qualified for START.

These volunteers promote the School Race Program at their schools and dedicate their Saturdays to assist with the races and events.

To qualify for the Dotty Clark Memorial Races, students must participate in at least three of six scheduled qualifying races. This year, after decades in the Bitterroot Basin, the race events moved to a new course on the front side of the mountain. The new course allows students to race more efficiently on terrain that is better suited to the events, and offers advantages for racers of every skill level.

“For 65 years, the Bogus Basin School Race Program has been a cornerstone of winter sports in the Treasure Valley, impacting generations of skiers and riders. This program fosters a love for the mountains, improves skills, and supports  friendly competition among students.”

John Foley, Bogus Basin School Race Coordinator

^{Photo: School Race Program Circa 1960s. Courtesy of Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area}
Since then, the event has grown to include 74 schools from throughout the Treasure Valley, extending from Mountain Home to Payette.

Each year, champions are crowned in both the high school and middle school categories based on the overall school performance. A long-running rivalry exists between Bishop Kelly and Centennial High, with Bishop Kelly claiming victory last year. Students earn points for their school’s overall total, and individual champions are also recognized, based on the fastest race times in each discipline.

Dotty Clark Schedule for Thursday, February 20^th and Friday, February 21^st:

For more information contact Race Program Coordinator John Foley at (208)870-4488.

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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