Eighty-three years is a helluva long time to be around, and Bogus Basin wears it with style—like Sofia Loren or Al Pacino, aging like fine wine. And what better way to celebrate more than eight decades of stoke than by doing something rare for Idaho? That’s right—Boise’s hometown hill is spinning lifts into May!
1942… A Very Big Year
To truly understand how long Bogus Basin has been around, it helps to look at what was happening when it first opened. We’re talking way back—so far back that the “Big Three” in cars weren’t just Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Nope, names like Studebaker, Hudson, and Nash were still rolling off the assembly line. Celebrities like Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, and Cary Grant were in their prime. And it was during the height of World War II, a time when the world was full of uncertainty. Yet somehow, Bogus Basin managed to carve out a little slice of joy—a much-needed escape when people needed it most.
Not the First Time
Sure, there are plenty of ski resorts where May turns are a yearly tradition—but not at Bogus Basin. For this hometown gem, spring skiing this late is a rare treat. In its 83-year history, this is only the second time the lifts have spun in May. The first? That legendary 2022/23 season when it felt like the snow just wouldn’t quit. The mountain had a whopping 116 inch snowpack depth, and as Nate Shake, Director of Mountain Operations, put it—it was one of the “few times in the area’s history” that conditions lined up like that.
Deep Snow… Let’s Go!
While it didn’t quite match the epic 2022/23 season, this year still packed a punch—Bogus racked up a solid 297 inches of snowfall, well above their average of 250. And with a snowpack depth of 55 inches still hanging on as of April 28th, the mountain is primed for one more hurrah. Best part? Since Bogus Basin is community-owned and run as a non-profit, their goal isn’t pleasing Wall Street—it’s making mountain fun accessible and affordable. So when Mother Nature delivers, they’re free to answer the call and keep the stoke going into May.
One Last Hurrah
Mark your calendars—Bogus Basin’s operations crew is giving you one final chance to ride this season on May 3rd. And here’s the kicker: if you’ve got a 2024/25 season pass—any pass, to any ski resort in the country—you can score a free lift ticket for the day. Yup, you read that right. Just flash your pass and you’re in. (Heads up: multi-mountain passes like Indy, Mountain Collective, and similar aren’t eligible.) Don’t have a pass? No worries—they’ll still be selling day tickets so everyone can join in on the fun.
Get one last day on the skis or snowboard before you jump into your summer fun.
