Bogus Basin opens for skiing this weekend. Here’s what other ski areas have planned
While an incoming winter storm could spell trouble for some Thanksgiving travelers, it looks like a boon for Idaho ski areas, which could add several inches of snow according to forecasts.
Here’s what will be open for holiday skiing and snowboarding at several ski areas in Southwest Idaho.
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
The Boise-area mountain announced Wednesday that it would open top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding Friday through Sunday. Deer Point and Coach chair lifts will be operating, as well as Explorer, Easy Rider and Discovery surface carpets.
The Simplot Lodge is open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ski and Snowboard school and rental shops will all be running over the weekend. Upper Ridge, Lower Ridge and Coach’s Corner runs are open.
Bogus officials touted snowmaking operations as a major contributor to the early opening.
“We wouldn’t be opening without snowmaking” said general manager Brad Wilson in a news release. “We are really excited that the new snowmaking system, along with a little help from Mother Nature, has given us more control over when we can start the season.”
Bogus also opened its terrain park earlier this month thanks to snowmaking.
Seven-day operations are scheduled to start Dec. 7.
Brundage Mountain
Heading to McCall? Brundage Mountain added 2 inches of snow overnight on Monday, and forecasts show up to 2 more inches are possible. Spokeswoman April Whitney said Brundage is also using snowmaking to add more powder to its slopes.
Brundage will host a Thanksgiving Weekend Lodge Party on Friday, Saturday and Sunday where guests can pick up season passes, tune up their gear and lease children’s gear for the season.
Soldier Mountain
This Fairfield ski area has a party planned for Dec. 7 to usher in the season. Pick up a season pass or take your pass photo, plus enjoy dinner and the ceremonial burning of the ski.
Soldier could get as much as 14 inches of snow this week thanks to the passing storm. Its tentative opening date is Dec. 13.
Sun Valley Resort
Sun Valley plans to kick off the season on Thanksgiving Day at 9 a.m. by opening the River Run side of Bald Mountain.
Forecasts are calling for snow all week, and the Boise branch of the National Weather Service predicted the resort could get between 10 and 14 inches of snow.
Officials said they plan to operate five lifts: River Run, Lookout Express, Christmas, Roundhouse Express Gondola and the Kinderspielplatz. Ten runs will be open: Upper College, Lower College, 42nd Street, Lower River Run, Mid River Run, Lower Canyon, Roundhouse Slope, Sunset Strip, Roundhouse Lane and Kinderspielplatz. Other trails may be opened if weather permits.
Sun Valley plans to start operations on Dollar Mountain on Dec. 13.
Tamarack Resort
The Donnelly-area resort announced that it will open its terrain park Friday and run its Discovery chair lift all weekend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Though officials don’t anticipate a full opening until Dec. 13, Tamarack will be open again on Dec. 6 and 7 with the Discovery lift operating between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Tamarack added an inch of snow Monday night, and 3 more inches are possible this week, forecasts say.
This story was originally published November 26, 2019 at 9:27 PM.
