Community Powered: The Story of Snowmaking at Bogus Basin

Community Powered

Since 1942, Bogus Basin has been your community recreation area. For 84 seasons, generations of Treasure Valley families have learned to ski here, spent snowy weekends with friends, and made memories that last a lifetime.

Thanks to your continued investment in the mountain, Bogus Basin has been able to reinvest wisely over the past decade — adding snowmaking infrastructure, installing new chairlifts, and improving the lodges you know and love. From epic winters with 100-inch bases to seasons like the one we’ve been experiencing so far, your support has helped Bogus Basin remain resilient, reliable, and community-focused.

Snowmaking at Bogus Basin

Snowmaking is one of the most important tools we have to open consistently each winter, with or without natural snowfall. This season (2025/26), Bogus Basin is operating on nearly 100% machine-made snow as well as stored snow across the front side of the mountain.

In a historically low snowpack year like this one, Bogus Basin simply would not be open without snowmaking infrastructure.

The Bogus Basin Project: A Community Comes Together

In 2017, the Bogus Basin team began raising the funds needed to install snowmaking infrastructure on the mountain. As a non-profit, this was a major undertaking — and it was only possible because of the community that believes in this place.

“We knew we needed snowmaking, but as a nonprofit we had to get creative with how we would pay for it. Ultimately, the money was raised in a matter of months, which speaks volumes about how much Bogus Basin means to this community.”

Brad Wilson, General Manager

“…The key to snowmaking at Bogus Basin was to capture the surface water we could see and hear.”

Chris Bromley, Water Rights Attorney

Snowmaking Today: BUilt By Donors, Powered by Dedication

Because of early community contributions — and continued donor support — Bogus Basin has been able to expand snowmaking significantly.

Today, the mountain has 53 snowmaking machines, including 10 fixed-position guns.

The 2025/26 season has already broken unfavorable records, with exceptionally low snowpack and unusually warm temperatures in November, December, and January.

In response, our snowmaking team — often called the Snow Sorcerers — has produced a record amount of snow so far this winter, keeping recreation available while we await natural snowfall.

Thanks to the Snow Sorcerers, snowmaking this season is already at 148% of what we achieved during the 2024/25 winter.

---

Seasons to Remember (2018 to 2025)

The seasons following our snowmaking installation have been remarkable. Between 2018 and 2025, Bogus Basin recorded milestone winters, including two seasons reaching a 100-inch base depth. That snow depth helped keep the mountain open well into spring, open through May 6^th in 2023, and May 3^rd in 2025.

Even in slower-start years, snowmaking has helped us deliver on our promise to season pass holders and the Treasure Valley community.

Highlights by Season

2023/24

The mountain opened one conveyor lift and terrain park with Low Tide on November 18^th, 2023. The slow start turned into a season of strong storms, record snowmaking, and incredible community turnout.

2025/26: A Challenging Start to Winter, A Strong Community

With record-low snowpack and record-high temperatures in Boise during November and December, this winter has tested every mountain in the West.

“Props to you magicians for keeping our beloved local ski resort in pretty darn good shape with the (unfortunately) limited amount of snowfall we and the rest of the western US has experienced thus far this winter.”

Bogus Basin Guest

And yet, even in these conditions, Bogus Basin has been able to provide winter recreation because of snowmaking, innovation, and community investment.

“The snow today is the best yet this season. They have nine machines blowing snow on Upper and Lower Ridge. Get up here folks.”

Molly Mouser, Bogus Basin Season Pass Holder

Looking Ahead: Experimenting with Snow Storage

Last season, Bogus Basin invested in a pilot snow storage program with Snow Secure. This project helped us open a terrain park off the Discovery Conveyor Lift while we awaited snowmaking temperatures and natural snowfall. The Bogus Basin Board of Directors has approved the purchase of additional Snow Secure infrastructure to further support snow storage operations.

Thank YOu for Making It Possible

Snowmaking at Bogus Basin began with community support through the Bogus Basin Project, and has continued to grow because donors like you believe in this mountain, this mission, and this community.

Thank you for being part of the story.

---

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 conveyor lifts, 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