Repurposing Chairlifts
In the summer of 2024, Bogus Basin is replacing both Coach and Bitterroot chairlifts with brand-new four-person Skytrac lifts for an improved on mountain guest experience. Since closing day 2024, your teams have been working hard to disassemble the Bitterroot and Coach chairlifts in preparation for the installation of the new chairlifts.
Now that they’ve been removed, what do we plan to do with the historic Bitterroot and Coach chairs? We are excited to offer the chairs to the community through various raffle and auction opportunities!
If you learned to ski or snowboard at Bogus Basin, chances are you’ve made many memories on the Coach Chairlift and Coach’s Corner run. Installed in 1981, the Coach Chairlift was named in honor of Bill Everts, or ‘Coach’. Though never named General Manager, “Coach Everts” played a key role in making Bogus Basin what it is today – an organization with a mission to make outdoor recreation affordable and accessible to the Treasure Valley, especially the community’s youth in the 1950’s.
We are also replacing the Bitterroot Chairlift this summer, with a new fixed-grip four-person chair. The original Bitterroot chairlift was installed in 1973, and has since been beloved by many kids, parents and coaches involved in the School Race Program. The new chair will increase carrying capacity two-fold, reducing unnecessary wait times in line, and making the Bitterroot Basin, and its low-intermediate terrain, more accessible. Additionally, replacing both the Coach Chairlift and Bitterroot Chairlift allows us to realign the lift terminals – making for a smoother loading and unloading process for our guests.
Enhance your space with a piece of history by adding a historic chair, serving as a timeless reminder of Bogus Basin’s legacy and the cherished memories you’ve made on the mountain.
How to Repurpose a Chair
A swing, chair, bench.. the opportunities are endless! Nan and George Pelletier, a long time Bogus Basin skiing family won a historic Morning Star chairlift in a raffle in 2019, and converted it into the most popular seat in the neighborhood.
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have won this chair. It’s fun to share with my neighbors. It’s in use from day to night! Thanks to Bogus for the memories off and on the hill!
Nan Pelletier, Morning Star Chair Raffle Winner 2019
Resources For Repurposing
You won a chair! Now what? If you’re not a DIY-er, there are a few local places that will help you transform your chair. Fosterweld is a local welding company located in Garden City, Idaho. Check out a chair design option below!
Josh Crester at Idaho Ski Furniture is a local artist with experience restoring and refurbishing ski lift chairs into functional art pieces that embody mountain living.
Superior Steel Products Inc. made Nan Pelletier’s dream chair happen in 2019.
Secure Your Seat, Support Your Mountain
Every dollar earned from the chairlift auction and raffles supports mountain operations and capital improvement projects at Bogus Basin. As a nonprofit mountain recreation area, your contributions fund essential operations and ongoing improvements, ensuring that our mountain remains a year-round recreation hub for the Treasure Valley community!
We plan to hold multiple auction and raffle opportunities this year. Please follow our social media and sign up for our weekly newsletter for auction and raffle updates!
More Chair Design Inspo
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
