December 28, 2016 (BOISE, ID)– Bogus Basin is ready to launch its yearlong 75th Anniversary celebration this Sunday, January 1st with a host of activities and events on the mountain. Planned highlights include opportunities to watch a 6:30pm torchlight parade and 7:00pm fireworks show, all within view of the Simplot Lodge Base area.
“Bogus Basin has an incredible history. This celebration is a chance for us to remember and honor the countless pioneers, families and volunteers whose grit and spirt of community brought this special place to life.”
-Susan Saad, Director of Community Relations
Bogus Basin General Manager, Brad Wilson, will serve as the Torchlight Parade Grand Marshall. Wilson will carry a commemorative 75th Anniversary flag that will hang outside Simplot Lodge through 2017. Participants will include long-time volunteers and members of Bogus Basin user groups, including Bogus Basin Ski Patrol, Recreation Unlimited adaptive skiing program, the Prime Timers senior skiing group, and the Bogus Basin Ski Club, which was established in 1938. The fireworks show will begin at 7:00pm, immediately following the parade.
Additional 75th Spotlight Events are planned throughout the year, including a July 1st Summer Celebration, and Birthday Party on December 20, 2017. For additional information log on to www.bogusbasin.org.
75th Anniversary Year Kickoff– Event Timeline
- 9:00am-10:00pm: Mountain Hours of Operation
- 12:00pm-7:30pm: Ski 360 Degrees of Bogus (ride every lift and receive a free gift)
- 3:30pm-7:30pm: Music in the Base Area
- 6:00pm: Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate in the Albertsons tent
- 6:30pm: Watch the Torchlight Parade
- 7:00pm: Professional Fireworks Display (visible from the base area)
Interesting Bogus Basin Facts
- Bogus Basin was named after swindlers who used the land as a hideout in the 1860’s to make fake gold.
- Construction on the road to Bogus began in the fall of 1938. The road was originally expected to be 25 miles, ultimately turned into 19 miles from downtown Boise with 172 turns.
- Bogus Basin Road was originally one way: traffic went up in the morning, and down in the afternoon. The road was paved in 1962.
- Bogus Basin opened to the public on December 20th 1942, after being delayed by WWII.
- Bogus Basin is the country’s largest non-profit recreation area.
- With 2,600 acres of skiable terrain, Bogus Basin is larger than Sun Valley (2,154 acres). Schweitzer Mountain (2,900 acres) is Idaho’s largest ski area.
- Bill Johnson– the first American to win an Olympic gold medal at an alpine skiing event, began his career at Bogus Basin.
