Boise County, Idaho — One of Idaho’s best ski resorts is also one of the most convenient for those living in or visiting Idaho.
Located outside Idaho’s largest city, Bogus Basin is one of the state’s largest ski resorts. Every offseason, the non-profit ski area invests heavily to make it perhaps the best-run non-profit ski area in America. Recent upgrades have included new chairlifts, a refurbished lodge, new terrain, and a blanket system that preserves snow through the summer. This offseason brings further improvements, focusing on new terrain in a beloved terrain pod.
This offseason, Bogus Basin is adding two new trails to Pine Creek. This is made possible by tree and brush clearing work that was recently approved by the U.S. Forest Service. These additions are located in the Pine Creek terrain pod, which features some of the toughest terrain at the ski area and is a popular spot on a powder day.
“This project adds more variety to the Pine Creek zone, which has long been known for its off-piste terrain and limited groomed runs. We’re opening up areas that have been difficult to access and creating more opportunities for guests to enjoy the zone’s 1,800 vertical feet.” said Nate Shake, Director of Mountain Operations.
Utopia & Lucky Friday
One of the new trails, Lucky Friday, technically isn’t new. However, it will ski completely differently thanks to brush and tree clearing. Now, Lucky Friday will be a groomed run. It will be relegated from a double black diamond to an advanced trail due to hazards being removed.
The other new trail will be called Utopia. The black diamond trail is situated between Wildcat and Mary’s Ridge. Skiers will reach the trail by going on the Cabin Traverse, and then the starting point will be a little past where Wildcat starts.
Interestingly, brush work was also done at the future location of a fixed-grip quad chairlift. This will give skiers another option to travel up to Pine Creek, giving easier access to some of the best expert terrain at Bogus Basin. It will also make it easier to reach Pine Creek from the Deer Point terrain pod.
“These trails were identified in the original 2016 Master Plan as the best areas to develop in the Pine Creek Area,” said Brad Wilson, GM of Bogus Basin. “Along with the developed trails in Pine Creek, we are clearing the lift line for a future lift that will load at the base of Showcase, unloading to the skiers left of Tiger.”
The other major project was buying a new brush cutter. The Green Climber will help with projects like what’s been happening this offseason.
Image/Video Credits: Bogus Basin
