Bogus Basin will close weeks earlier than usual. Blame the abnormal weather
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area plans to shut down its winter operations several weeks earlier than usual as temperatures in the Boise area climb around 20 degrees above average next week, adding to a challenging season marked by warm weather and little snow.
Bogus Basin officials announced Friday that the ski area plans to close March 22, though it may remain open longer if conditions allow. In a news release, officials said they expect snow conditions will be impacted by a heat wave forecasted to hit the Treasure Valley on Monday.
“After reviewing current conditions and the probable historic warm temperatures in the forecast, we realized an earlier closure was likely and wanted to let the community know right away so people wouldn’t miss the chance to come up and take some final turns this season,” Bogus Basin spokesperson Susan Saad told the Idaho Statesman in an email.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 65 degrees in Boise on Monday, 77 on Tuesday and 80 on Wednesday. Typical mid-March high temperatures in Boise are in the mid-50s, according to the agency’s data.
The expected late-March closure will be several weeks earlier than Bogus’ usual closing date, which varies depending on season conditions. It frequently closes in mid-April, though the 2022-23 season saw the latest closing date in the 84-year-old ski area’s history: May 6, thanks to late-season snow.
Certain operations and parts of the mountain will close even earlier. According to Bogus’ news release, access to the back side of the mountain will close after this weekend as operations shut down at the Bitterroot and Superior Express chairlifts. Pine Creek Express chairlift closed Friday. Pioneer Lodge will also close by the end of the weekend. Night operations will end March 21.
Saad said impacts from the early closure likely will be limited since the majority of Bogus Basin’s visitors are local. The ski area still plans to open its summer operations on June 19.
Ski areas in the western U.S. have faced record warm temperatures and snow drought this year, with Boise-area mountains seeing only a fraction of their typical average snowfall. Saad told the Statesman recently that the ski area opened two-thirds of its terrain this season, and the nonprofit also froze season pass sale prices for next year in an unusual move.
She emphasized Friday that support from the community has been “phenomenal” over the past few months.
“Our guests showed up all season, and our operations team did an incredible job making the most of challenging conditions,” Saad said.
This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM.
