Seeking your next unique winter adventure? Join wildlife biologist Ray Vizgirdas and botanist Edna Ray-Vizgirdas, for a season of FREE Guided Snowshoe programming! Each 2-hour snowshoe tour is hosted at an accessible, leisurely pace and covers a new ecological or wildlife topic guaranteed to inspire questions and a newfound appreciation for Bogus Basin and its surrounding habitats!
The Snowshoe Tour series first began in 2019 as an extension of SnowSchool and provides an opportunity for the general public to experience what Ray calls “a little slice of paradise right in our backyard.”
Each Snowshoe Tour provides a memorable and experiential opportunity for folks ages 16+ to learn about the importance of winter ecology and how to be prepared for the cold months of winter!
“A lot of people who venture out in the winter don’t have the confidence to do so. By having a little bit of knowledge, that can help someone tremendously in times of crisis. Snow is your best friend in the wintertime. It may seem like it’s cold, but once you drop underneath it, it’s warm– take snow caves for instance!”
– Ray Vizgirdas, Snowshoe Tour Guide
Ray and Edna like to say they’ve spent more than 30 years “walking in the woods,” and to say so is certainly no exaggeration. Ray is a retired Forest Wildlife Biologist, former U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Guidebook author with 30+ years of experience in natural resource and endangered species management. Edna served as Boise National Forest’s botanist and conservation education coordinator, in addition to teaching field biology courses at Idaho State University and the University of California, Riverside. Together, Ray and Edna’s expert knowledge and undeniable passion for Bogus Basin’s flora and fauna make them a team unlike any other.
“I loved my experience with the incredibly knowledgeable guides, Ray and Edna! Getting to experience and appreciate the proximity to the wildlife all around us was so much fun!”
– Austin Henderson, Snowshoe Tour Participant
For those seeking an unforgettable winter experience, The Guided Snowshoe Program delivers, offering participants a chance to learn about the very awake winter backyard firsthand. Guests learn to spot invasive mistletoe clusters in the trees (learn more about invasive species and Bogus Basin’s mitigation efforts here) how to differentiate between land and tree-dwelling animal tracks, and identify native plants used for medicinal and survival purposes. After a Guided Snowshoe program, you’ll have no shortage of new facts to share the next time you step out on the trails!
“I think that the snowshoe nature walks help people feel more connected to their environment. Bogus Basin is like this gem right in our backyard that is so easy to access from the Treasure Valley. We’re really fortunate to have this resource and to be able to share the enthusiasm and knowledge with people, it’s just really exciting for us.”
-Edna Rey-Vizgirdas, Snowshoe Tour Guide
Ready for your next winter adventure?
Join An Upcoming Guided Snowshoe Tour:
December 16th, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Plant & Animal Strategies for Winter
February 10th, 2024 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Humans & Winter Survival – Making Snow Shelters
February 17th, 2024 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Snow Tracking Mammals
February 24th, 2024 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Plants in Winter – Identification & Uses
March 2nd, 2024 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Exploring Bogus’ Native Cats & Canids
March 9th, 2024 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Reading Animal Tracks
March 16th , 2024 1:30 – 3:30
Winter Wildlife Adaptations
March 23rd, 2024 1:30 – 3:30
Winter Plants
Guided Snowshoe Programs are FREE to attend for ages 16+. Snowshoes are not provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes or rent a pair of snowshoes from the Frontier Point Lodge. Participants must have a valid trail pass to join the program.
How to Register
To sign up for this or any of our awesome Guided Snowshoe Programs, please send an email to dirk@bogusbasin.org indicating the program you wish to register for, date, and the number of people in your group. Requests received less than 24 hrs. prior to the outing may not receive a response.
