BOISE, Idaho — Ski resorts all over Idaho enjoyed a fantastic week as the fresh powder gave skiers and snowboarders ideal conditions to shred on the mountain.
Bogus Basin got more than three feet of snow and they saw their base grow to 80 inches.
"Wind rushing my face it is exhilarating," said Pete Trupiano who's class had a ski day on Friday. "At some points, the snow is all the way up to my knees.”
While skiers and snowboarders flocked to the mountain, early bird season pass sales provided another example of how popular this sport has become in the Treasure Valley.
“Of course the volume crashed our website and our phone lines have been clogged up," said Bogus Basingeneral manager Brad Wilson. "We are asking people to be patient, you can’t buy a pass and use it now anyway.”
Skiers and snowboarders have ten days starting today to buy their early bird season pass for next year. When the passes went on sale there was so much demand that it crashed Bogus Basin's website.https://t.co/eVaOxFxXXl
— Idaho News 6 (@IdahoNews6) February 19, 2021
People have until February 28 to secure their season pass for next year, Wilson assured us that anybody who purchases one will be good to go for next season, he told us they will look at the numbers and decide how to proceed from there at the end of March.
Bogus Basin has seen a record number of skiers during the weekdays this season, weekend numbers are down because they limit day tickets because of the pandemic, and those sold out each of the past two weekends.
Wilson wanted to remind people that COVID-19 protocols remain in place: Masks need to be worn around the base and in lift lines and the lodges have only been open for people to use the restroom.
One advantage that has helped space out the crowds during this season includes having a front and backside for people to ski and Bogus Basin being open for at least 12 hours a day.
"I love how there are a lot of chairs spread out because then the mountain doesn’t get too busy," said Trupiano.
Season pass sales did increase a little on most of the options, midweek passes however dropped in price, but the mountain remains affordable and they have an all-inclusive pass that includes skiing, nordic skiing and mountain bike lift access in the summer for under $500.
Because Bogus Basin is a non-profit most of their earnings goes back into the mountain for snow machines, lifts and other amenities. They have invested more than $24 million in the last five years.
“It has been just so fun to see it grow and develop into a really fun resort," said a longtime Bogus Basin skier. "There's good skiing for little kids and for those that even want to find something more daunting it’s a great place.”
