FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Susan Saad, Director, Community & Customer Relations
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
O: (208) 332-5129
2022-23 SEASON NIGHT OPERATIONS BEGIN AT BOGUS BASIN ON FRIDAY, 12/9
An offering since 1964, night skiing Bogus Basin is bucking an industry trend with its gain in popularity, while fulfilling the area’s non-profit mission to be affordable and accessible
BOISE, Idaho – December 8, 2022 Bogus Basin announced today that night operations for the 2022-23 season begin on Friday, December 9th, earlier than originally projected. The non-profit will remain open until 10:00 pm daily, providing 12 – 13 hours of access to the slopes.
Night riding at Bogus Basin has exploded in popularity in recent years, beginning with the introduction of its first Night Only Season Pass product in 2016. Since then, the area has invested in a range of enhancements, broadening its appeal through expanded and improved lit terrain. New pass and lift ticket product options are providing guests the opportunity to gain evening access to the slopes at low price points. This appeals to a variety of users and fulfills Bogus Basin’s mission to be affordable and accessible for the community.
Bogus Basin’s booming night operation is bucking the industry trend, particularly in this region. According to Kelly Pawlak, President/CEO of the National Ski Areas Association, only 7 percent of visits come from nighttime visits in the Rockies region. To put things in perspective, during the 2020-21 season, 30 percent of Bogus Basin’s total visits were during night operations, a more than 11 percent increase from the prior season and a massive outlier in our region. “Most night skiing stats remain steady over the last 10 years,” said Pawlak. Not at Bogus Basin, where there is no sign of waning interest.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Bogus Basin sought creative ways to incentivize visitation to the area during off-peak hours. What was initially a short-term decision – bumping the night skiing start time to 3:00 pm from 4:00 pm to allow for a measured flow of guests throughout the day resulted in a 112% jump in twilight visitors. Public response to the newly rebranded “Twilight” Season Pass product drew a record number of guests to the area’s most affordable season pass, and today, twilight skiing is here to stay.
The introduction of RFID ticketing technology for the 2022-23 winter season increases the precision with which Bogus Basin can encourage visitation during slower times. Guests now access the lifts via Axess Smart Gates that read a lift ticket or season pass in the pocket of their jacket. These gates will not operate outside the valid time frame, providing an opportunity to create time windows, or “sessions” when guests can access the slopes. This technology has allowed the launch of even more affordable sessions from which guests can choose. Two new recent product announcements include the Night Season Pass, valid from 6:00 – 10:00 pm, at $99 (Adult), and the Night Lift Ticket, at just $19 (Adult).
In summer 2022, Bogus Basin completed a range of capital projects. This included significantly expanded its night lighting, doubling the number of lit trails off of the Superior Express lift to include Superior and Sunbeam. Lights were added along the newly widened and regraded Sunshine Trail off the Morning Star Express chairlift. Today, Bogus Basin offers nearly 200 acres of lit terrain, the largest night operation in the state, and the team remains committed to building and enhancing this unique guest offering.
The 2022-23 winter season marks the 57th year of night operations at Bogus Basin. In December 1964, lights lit up the entire Bowl, Ridge, and beginner runs for the first time, and a lift ticket cost just $3. Gaining approval for the project took over two years, and the general manager at the time, Bob Loughrey, was such a proponent of lighting the slopes he told the board he would pay for the project out of his pocket if it was not funded. At the time, Bogus Basin offered the longest illuminated ski run in the world. As the non-profit recreation area settles into its 80th Anniversary Season, its future continues to look very bright.
“The growing appeal of night riding at Bogus Basin is a win/win. It demonstrates our commitment to fulfilling our mission to be affordable and accessible, and the extended operating hours allow us to continue to provide a great experience for our growing community.”
Brad Wilson, General Manager
Bogus Basin Night Operations Milestones:
2022
- Night Lift Ticket Announced – $19 (Adult), 6:00 – 10:00 pm access
- Night Season Pass Announced – $99 (Adult), 6:00 – 10:00 pm access
- Twilight Season Passes sell out before Anytime Season Passes
- Sunshine Trail, off Morning Star Express widened, regraded, lit
- Superior and Sunbeam Runs off Superior Express Chairlift lit
2021
- The New Twilight Season Pass offered during sale
2020
- Twilight Hours introduced – $29 (Adult), 3:00 – 10:00 pm access
- Night operations access extended, start time bumped from 4:00 pm to 3:00pm
- Record Night Season Pass sales, product sells out
- Snowmaking and lights added along Morning Star Express chairlift
2019
- Morning Star Express Chairlift installed, improving uphill capacity for night riding
2018
- Snowmaking introduced to lit runs on the front side of the mountain (Deer Point Express & Morning Star)
1986
- Lighting added to runs off of the Superior chairlift
1964
- Night operations begin at Bogus Basin, with lights on the entire Bowl, Ridge, and beginner runs
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About Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to engaging the community in 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 chair lifts and four conveyor lifts; an 800-foot tubing hill; and a Nordic Center offering 37 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking. Bogus Basin is 16.5 miles north of Boise, Idaho and operates under a special use permit with the Boise National Forest. www.bogusbasin.org.
Night Operation Gallery
