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    Idaho, USA · Powder Alliance

    Bogus Basin

    2,600 acres, 82 runs, 16 miles from Boise. Nonprofit resort with extensive night skiing and affordable tickets.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    12 Dec 2025
    Closes
    20 Apr 2026
    Days open
    129
    Annual snow
    21ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Bogus Basin's summit reaches 7,591 feet, dropping 1,800 vertical feet to a base at 5,791 feet across 82 runs spread over 2,600 acres in the Boise National Forest. Terrain splits 50 per cent intermediate, 28 per cent advanced, 12 per cent expert and 10 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 250 inches. The resort holds Powder Alliance affiliation and sits just 16 miles from downtown Boise. Eleven lifts, including four quad chairs and three triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside four surface lifts for beginner terrain.

    Bogus Basin is a nonprofit ski area, operated by the Bogus Basin Recreation Association rather than a for-profit company, with proceeds reinvested into the mountain instead of paid out to shareholders. This structure keeps ticket prices notably lower than comparable resorts of its size. Extensive night skiing is a defining feature, reflecting the resort's role as an accessible, close-to-town mountain rather than a destination resort. The 2,600-acre footprint on leased Boise National Forest land supports a broad mix of terrain within a short drive of the state's largest city.

    Ski pioneer Alf Engen, known as the father of the American powder technique, selected the site in 1939, and Bogus Basin opened to the public in December 1942 with a 500-foot rope tow. The area has operated as a nonprofit since its founding, with the Bogus Basin Recreation Association gaining formal 501(c)(3) charitable status in 2005. More than 80 years after its founding by outdoor-minded locals, the resort has kept its community-access mission through generations of Boise's growth.

    Adult daily tickets run from 69 to 89 US dollars depending on date, with season passes from 399 dollars for a Twilight Pass up to 1,099 dollars for the unrestricted True Bogus Pass. The nonprofit model and proximity to Boise make Bogus Basin the default local mountain for Treasure Valley families and after-work skiers rather than a fly-in destination. Its low price point relative to nearby resorts reflects the association's charitable mandate rather than a commercial pricing strategy.

    1,798ft
    Vertical
    82
    Runs
    2,600 acres
    Skiable
    21ft
    Annual snow
    Powder Alliance
    Pass
    The Terrain

    82 runs across 2,600 acres skiable

    Bogus Basin spreads 82 runs across 2,600 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 50%, with 8 beginner runs to find your feet and 33 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    82
    runs
    82 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner8 runs · 10%
    Intermediate41 runs · 50%
    Advanced23 runs · 28%
    Expert10 runs · 12%
    Time it right

    When to visit Bogus Basin

    The 2025-26 season at Bogus Basin ran from 12 December 2025 to 20 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season typical for the mountain's Boise National Forest location. Average annual snowfall of around 250 inches supports a season of this length without heavy reliance on artificial snowmaking alone, though exact snowmaking coverage is not confirmed in available resort information. Season dates can shift slightly year to year based on early and late-season weather patterns.

    Midwinter months from late December through February typically bring the most consistent natural snowpack, while early and late season can vary more depending on storm timing. Night skiing extends the useful ski day well beyond daylight hours throughout the season, a significant draw for Boise's after-work skier base. Weekday evenings tend to be markedly quieter than weekends, reflecting the mountain's role as a commuter resort rather than a weekend-only destination.

    As a Powder Alliance mountain, Bogus Basin offers reciprocal benefits to season pass holders from other affiliated independent resorts, extending its reach beyond the immediate Treasure Valley. The nonprofit's community mission means programming leans toward accessible ski school and youth offerings rather than festival-style events. School holiday periods bring heavier family visitation given the resort's broad intermediate-weighted terrain.

    Given its short 16-mile drive from downtown Boise, Bogus Basin sees some of its heaviest use immediately after storms and on weekday evenings once the lights come on. Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. The nonprofit's reinvestment model keeps the resort focused on dependable, affordable access throughout the season rather than high-end destination amenities.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    12 Dec 2025
    Opens
    20 Apr 2026
    Closes
    129
    Days open
    21 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Bogus Basin, and where to stay

    Bogus Basin sits in the Boise National Forest, with a base elevation of 5,791 feet and a summit at 7,591 feet across a 1,800-foot vertical drop over 2,600 acres. The resort operates on a mix of private and leased Forest Service land just 16 miles from downtown Boise, Idaho's capital and largest city. This proximity to a major metropolitan area is unusual among Mountain West ski areas of comparable size.

    Boise itself offers the area's lodging, dining and broader amenities, with most visitors staying in the city rather than at the mountain itself. The Treasure Valley's population base supports Bogus Basin's nonprofit model directly, with locals forming the bulk of the resort's visitation rather than out-of-state destination travellers. Boise's growth in recent years has increased demand on the close-to-town mountain.

    Bogus Basin Road connects the resort directly to Boise, climbing from the valley floor into the Boise National Forest over roughly 16 miles. The drive typically takes 30 to 45 minutes from central Boise depending on conditions, making the mountain accessible for evening night-skiing trips as well as full weekend days. Winter driving conditions on Bogus Basin Road can include snow and ice, though the route is regularly maintained given its role as the resort's sole access point.

    Boise Airport, the region's main commercial airport, sits roughly 25 miles from the resort and offers direct flights to numerous major US cities. This makes Bogus Basin one of the more accessible Mountain West resorts for fly-in visitors despite its identity as a local's mountain. Most day-to-day visitors, however, are Boise-area residents driving up rather than travellers arriving by air.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Bogus Basin, powered by Stay22.

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    Bogus Basin Lift Tickets

    Bogus Basin lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Bogus Basin closed on Apr 20, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$4, with peak rates up to US$89.

    Powder Alliance13 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–69

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$69up to US$89 peak

    Full day and night access to Bogus Basin's 82 trails across 2,600 acres. Located just 16 miles from downtown Boise, Bogus Basin offers the most night skiing terrain (175 acres) in the northwestern US. Family-friendly nonprofit mountain with affordable pricing and excellent terrain variety.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Teen Daily Ticket

    US$49up to US$69 peak

    Teen access to Bogus Basin's diverse terrain including terrain parks and gladed areas. Close to Boise, Bogus Basin offers convenient skiing with extensive night operations. Perfect for after-school skiing and weekend adventures with friends at this community-focused mountain.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–12

    Junior Daily Ticket

    US$27up to US$39 peak

    Junior pricing for Bogus Basin's family-oriented mountain experience. Safe learning environment with dedicated children's areas and excellent ski school programs. Bogus Basin's nonprofit mission focuses on making skiing accessible to all Idaho families near Boise.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–6

    Children Under 6

    US$10

    Discounted skiing for children under 6 at Bogus Basin. At just $10, this provides affordable family skiing access at the Treasure Valley's home mountain. Perfect introduction to skiing with gentle terrain and caring instruction just minutes from Boise.

    Buy pass
    Senior 70–99

    Senior Daily Ticket

    US$4

    Senior heavily discounted access to Bogus Basin at just $4. Exceptional value for senior skiers at this nonprofit mountain serving the Boise community. Enjoy peaceful skiing on well-maintained terrain with stunning views of the Treasure Valley.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 18–69

    Night Only Ticket

    US$45up to US$65 peak

    Night skiing access from 4:30pm to 10pm at Bogus Basin. Experience the largest night skiing operation in the northwestern US with 175 illuminated acres. Perfect for after-work skiing and unique night mountain experiences just 16 miles from downtown Boise.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–69

    Half Day Ticket

    US$55up to US$75 peak

    Afternoon access from 1pm to 10pm at Bogus Basin including day and night skiing. Great value combining afternoon slopes with evening illuminated terrain. Experience both day and night skiing at the Treasure Valley's premier mountain recreation area.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 18–69

    3-Day Package

    US$177up to US$237 peak

    Multi-day savings at Bogus Basin with $10 off each day when purchasing 3+ consecutive days. Extended time to explore all of Bogus Basin's terrain including extensive night skiing operations. Perfect for visitors to the Boise area.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 18–69

    True Bogus Season Pass

    US$899up to US$1,099 peak

    Ultimate Bogus Basin experience with unlimited winter and summer access. Includes buddy tickets, Powder Alliance membership, partner mountain benefits, and 10% food discounts. Year-round access to skiing, mountain biking, and all Bogus Basin recreation activities.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–69

    Value Season Pass

    US$499up to US$649 peak

    Daily winter access to Bogus Basin with select restrictions during peak weekends before 3pm. Best value for frequent skiers offering open-to-close access most days. Includes Nordic trail access add-on option for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–69

    Twilight Season Pass

    US$399up to US$499 peak

    Daily access from 3pm to close throughout the season at Bogus Basin. Perfect for after-work skiing and sunset runs. Includes full night skiing access during night operations (mid-December through mid-March) offering 7 hours of illuminated terrain.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth True Bogus Pass

    US$599up to US$749 peak

    Youth version of the ultimate Bogus Basin pass with unlimited winter and summer access. Includes all True Bogus benefits except buddy tickets. Perfect for young riders wanting year-round mountain access near Boise with partner mountain benefits.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–12

    Child True Bogus Pass

    US$399up to US$499 peak

    Child unlimited year-round access to Bogus Basin including winter skiing and summer mountain biking. Excellent value for active families. Includes Nordic trail access and all mountain recreation activities at this nonprofit community mountain.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Bogus Basin day pass cost?+
    Bogus Basin day passes range from US$4 to US$89 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Bogus Basin lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Bogus Basin lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Bogus Basin, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Bogus Basin lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Bogus Basin - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Bogus Basin lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Bogus Basin offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Bogus Basin directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Bogus Basin.

    More Bogus Basin intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.