FIRST IN IDAHO: OPENING DAY AND FRESH UPGRADES COMING YOUR WAY
The stoke is in the air – can you feel it? The snowmaking machines had their first 17 hour run early this week, our pilot with Snow Secure snow storage technology proved a success, and now we can’t wait to get the community back to sliding on snow for opening day this Saturday, November 29th! We’re excited to share some of the new developments you can expect to see around the mountain this winter.
Snow Secure – An Innovative Snow Preservation Technology
Over the summer, we were the first of two mountains in the United States to pilot Snow Secure, a snow preservation product from Finland – and it was successful! The technology stored about 13,500 cubic meters of snow from April to October. The hottest recorded temperature on the surface of the pile this summer was 119º, while temperatures remained near freezing under the insulation.
We’re stoked to apply what we learned this summer to larger snow preservation efforts in the future.
Upgraded Technology – a New Point of Sale System
During the Season Pass Sale in February and March, we rolled out a new Point-Of-Sale (POS) system to improve the purchasing experience both on and off the mountain. As you should already know… the new POS system requires all 2025/26 Season Pass Holders to pick up a new season pass ACCESS CARD. The Downtown Sales Office is open every day for season pass pickup.*
WARNING: We expect season pass pickup lines to be hours-long during early-season weekends and holidays. We highly recommend that all season pass holders pick up their new ACCESS CARD at the downtown office before their first visit to the mountain.
*The Downtown Sales Office is closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th
Getting here – a New Bus stop
We are excited to announce a new public bus stop for Treasure Valley residents, at Highlands Elementary School at the base of the mountain. The public bus costs $10 cash and stops in Nampa, Meridian, Eagle, and Boise. It runs on peak Saturdays and Sundays and every day during the holiday period, December 22nd, 2025 – January 2nd, 2026.
Infrastructure Improvements
An Updated Look – Pioneer Lodge Exterior Remodel
Built in 1973, the beloved Pioneer Lodge was due for an upgrade, and the VERTICAL Construction and erstad Architects helped us bring our vision of a modern lodge to life. Heated pavers around the entrance reduce the risk of trips and slips during storms, while a new elevator improves accessibility to the second and third floors of the lodge. Plus, we expanded the locker room, adding a kitchenette with microwaves and a sink for those who bring their own food.
Lodge Renovations include:
- New Elevator
- Expanded Locker Room and Brown Bag Area with New Kitchenette
- New Restrooms and Family Restrooms on the First and Third Floors
- Heated Pavers and Sidewalk Along the Exterior
- HVAC System
- Floor to Ceiling Windows Throughout the Building
- Fire Suppression Sprinklers
The Outpost
Coming Summer 2026 – The Outpost, a 10,000 square foot sprung building that is beginning to take shape in the flats between Pioneer Lodge and the Morning Star Chairlift.
The facility is going to add 250 additional indoor seats, and a new restaurant and bar. The Outpost will also serve as a special event venue in the summer, from corporate gatherings to weddings.
The Frontier Point Lodge Gets A Refresh
Over the summer, the facilities maintenance team restained the exterior of the lodge, giving it a refreshed look, and protecting it from the elements.
Parking Lot Lighting
We added new lighting, and updated existing lighting in the Pioneer Parking Lot, Parking Lot #1, and Buttercup Lot. The new lights improve visibility during dark winter mornings, evenings, and on stormy days.
Fire Preparedness
In addition to the fire suppression sprinklers in Pioneer Lodge, we installed fire alarms in the Bogus Creek Lodge and surrounding base area buildings. The new fire alarm systems modernize how to detect smoke and fire in buildings, and provide prompt alerts to our staff and guests in the event of fire.
Over the summer, we worked with Snow Machines Inc. (SMI) to convert our snowmaking system into a fire suppression system, designed to protect the mountain’s infrastructure in the event of a wildfire.
Your On-Mountain Experience, Improved
Snowmaking Upgrades
In summer 2025, we installed five fixed-position snowmaking machines on Silver Queen and Morning Star runs. This brings our total snowmaking machine count to 53, including 10 fixed-position guns. The team also updated our snowmaking software to SmartSnow7 for more precise water tracking, increased automation, and on-slope connectivity with a GPS and mobile app.
- 3 Super Polecat Tower Machines on Silver Queen and Morning Star
- 2 Viking Grizzly Stick Machines on Silver Queen
Snowmaking helps us open on time each winter, reducing our reliance on natural snowfall to safely open the mountain to the community. Last season, your Snow Sorcerers broke the records they set in 2023/24, converting 27,762,505 gallons, or 85.2 acre feet of water to snow between October and March. We can’t wait to see what magic they bring to the mountain this winter!
Adding to the Heavy Machinery Fleet
A New Winch Cat
The Mountain Operations team added a second PistenBully 600 Winch Cat to our fleet this summer. The PistenBully 600 winch cat is the most powerful model of its kind on the market, delivering enhanced winch grooming performance on steep runs like Tiger, Nighthawk, Powerline, Lower Nugget, Second Chance, and more.
We purchased our first 600 Winch cat in 2023, for the 2023/24 winter season. Since then, our team has kept your favorite runs groomed all season long — often adding surprise grooms along the way!
Each Winch Cat has a SNOWsat measuring system that uses satellite data and GPS-based sensors that track snow depth and density in real-time, supporting more efficient and informed snow management practices.
Snow Removal Equipment
The Snow Removal and Road Maintenance team added a mid-sized snowplow to its fleet. This versatile machine is sure to be a big help when we need to clear tighter parking areas and maintain the road while larger plows are in use during repeated storms and ongoing snowfall.
Brush Cutting and Grading
In the early fall, we rented a Green Climber, a remote-controlled slope-mowing machine from GCNA. We demo-ed the machine on Tiger, our steepest slope, to cut overgrowth and clear the run for a more enjoyable skiing or snowboarding experience. The team also carried out manual brush cutting efforts on Pine Creek, Bitterroot, and all cat tracks throughout the summer and fall.
Rental Fleet Refresh
Shipments of new rental equipment have arrived at the Rental and Leasing office on the mountain. We purchased new Rossignol React RT Xpress skis in over five different sizes. The new skis are equipped with Look Express10 bindings.
In the Frontier Point Nordic Lodge, Nordic Skiers can enjoy updated cross-country ski rental gear.
Opening Thanksgiving Weekend
We’re making it happen! Thanks to the 13.5 K cubic meters of snow we stored on the Coach’s Corner run during the summer, and a successful snowmaking run early this week, we’re opening the Easy Rider Conveyor lift, servicing a terrain park with 9 features, this Saturday and Sunday, November 29th and 30th, 2025.
Details – First in Idaho to Open!
- The Easy Rider Conveyor will be open from 10 am to 4 pm
- The Bogus Creek Lodge will be open from 9:30 am to 4 pm
- Day tickets cost $15, and are available for purchase online, beginning at 10 am on Friday
- The Ticket Window will be open from 9:30 am to 4 pm
- The Basin Retail Shop will be open from 9:30 am to 4 pm
- Valid Passes: True Bogus, Winter, Value, and Twilight* (*after 3 pm)
- Ski and Snowboard equipment is available in the Rental Shop, opening at 9:30 am
- Lessons will not be offered this weekend
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check our website for current conditions updates and added terrain announcements.
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
