Bogus Basin: Boise’s Backyard

Bogus Basin isn’t a typical ski resort. As a nonprofit, 100% of profits go back into equipment, facilities, outreach, and education. They’ve invested $30 million in enhancements in the past five years alone, including state-of-the-art chairlifts, extensive new trail systems, and a gathering-friendly patio. The result is a year-round destination that throws off backyard barbecue vibes with lots of opportunities for either an adrenaline-pumping thrill or wine-sipping chill.

At Bogus (as locals often call it), there’s something for everyone to enjoy in every season.

Local’s Tip: The Pioneer Condos are located within walking (or skiing) distance of Bogus’s lodge.

Community Events

Photo Credit: Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

Whether the temperature is 100° or 0°, you’ll find both Boiseans and visitors gathered here. Bogus offers a range of events that bring locals out in droves. It’s the perfect way for a visitor to tap into the spirit of Boise.

A series of outdoor concerts are on offer throughout the summer. Music on the Mountain and Music on the Patio concerts are free to all. Blankets and chairs spread out on the vast lawn beside the lodge, a festive crowd, and a cold beer with the whole Treasure Valley spread out below you. Smaller shows on the patio offer a chance to grab a bite at the Double R Ranch BBQ Smokehouse and enjoy local acts. It’s a fantastic way to spend a summer afternoon.

Yoga on the Mountain is one of the hottest events in the city. Grab a mat and head up for a massive yoga session led by a local studio. It’s enjoyed by hundreds of folks every summer weekend. Practicing your vinyasa flow in an alpine meadow is an opportunity you can’t miss.

Bogus also partners with other Boise arts organizations to create even more one-of-a-kind experiences on the mountain. The Boise Philharmonic’s “Natural Wonders” series celebrates community and nature through music, and Boise Contemporary Theater puts on outdoor play readings. Here, culture isn’t confined to ornate theaters — it’s performed in the open air, surrounded by the raw beauty of snowcapped peaks.

Adventure Attractions

Photo Credit: Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

Here’s what you never knew you were missing: amusement park thrills with a spectacular mountain backdrop. If you’re looking for a solo adventure, an outing with friends or coworkers, or a family excursion, this is for you.

Start with a high-altitude, high-speed ride on an alpine coaster. The Glade Runner Mountain Coaster is the only mountain coaster in Idaho. It hurtles along nearly a mile of twisting track at up to 25 miles per hour. Each cart seats two people and is perfect for kids or adults. The coaster operates during the summer months. Rushing through the lush pines, flying over steep snowy drops — rapidly reconnect with your inner child.

Have a need for speed without the action sport skills for skiing or boarding? Tubing may be your jam. In summer, try the recently added summer tubing hill where you cruise down the lower section of the bowl toward the mountain base, then hop on a surface lift to head back to the top. In the winter, you’ll ride a conveyor lift to the top of the hill before flying 800 feet downhill in a frictionless inner tube. It’s sledding on steroids.

The brand-new bungee trampoline lets you show off your flips or just bounce as high as you can, all summer long. And the climbing wall, another recent addition, is 32 feet of adrenaline, with routes for beginners and experts alike.

When you’re ready to take a break from high-velocity fun, Bogus Basin gives you plenty of opportunities to sit back and enjoy the view. In the warmer months, scenic chairlift rides are the perfect way to appreciate the breathtaking panorama from the top of the mountain. Cityscape to the south, wilderness to the north, and wildflowers blanketing the soft meadows below. There’s nothing else like it.

And, of course, there’s always the lodge. In the winter, skiers and boarders gather with friends around fire pits on the giant patio. Come summer, picnics on the lawn are just as popular.

Alpine Recreation

Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism

Time to work up a sweat. No matter the season or your experience level, there’s plenty of ways to get active on the mountain.

Warmer months give you the chance to hike trails that range from easy strolls to intense switchbacks. You’ll spot locals playing disc golf near the base or riding horses along the wooded paths.

The biggest draw of the summer is mountain biking. In 2020, Bogus installed Basin Gravity Park, a lift-served downhill bike park full of rolls, turns, and technical features. Test your novice skills on the student rider trail, or watch the experts attempt the formidable G19 track.

If you prefer a smoother ride, there are miles of cross-country bike trails to explore in the Bitterroot Basin area. The most popular is the “Around the Mountain” trail, a multi-use loop that snakes around the base. All the equipment you’ll need is available to rent at the lodge.

The most well-known feature at Bogus is its ski slopes. Every season, thousands of Boiseans and visitors alike flock to the snowy slopes looking to carve the perfect run. Bogus has top-of-the-line snowmaking machines on its most popular runs, giving it an early start most years. While other ski areas are closed, Bogus is open and raring to go.

Local’s Tip: Bogus has a wide range of equipment rentals and lessons available on site. Reach out to the rental office to reserve your spot.

Boise’s favorite way to celebrate the snow is night skiing at Bogus. It’s one of the largest night skiing operations in the country. And it’s only getting bigger. The night skiing hours and lift access expanded in 2020, and now there are more than 20 lit runs to explore. Night hours lift tickets are half-price for adults.

Bogus Basin is so much more than a mountain — it’s a must-visit year-round community hub that lets you experience all the fun of the great outdoors in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

Ready to dive in? Get started with our three mountains in three days itinerary, mountain biking guide, or snow guide.