The Snowboarder's Journal - The Snowboarder's Journal 21.2
THE GEM OF THE TREASURE VALLEY: Enough To Go Around At Bogus Basin
Words: Luke Tokunaga 2023-10-24 09:09:32
A portion of the 165 rideable acres that stay open for night skiing at Bogus Basin. In the background is Idaho’s capital city, Boise, which is less than 40 minutes away by car. Photo: Luke Tokunaga
It’s nearly 10 o’clock on a Wednesday morning at Bogus Basin Recreation Area, but only two dozen people are waiting in line at the top of the Pioneer Lodge and the bottom of the Deer Point Express lift. Last night the ski area received four inches of fresh snow, and around here, we call that a powder day. Still, this light traffic is typical for midweek. A lot of the folks in line are locals ranging from their late 20s to early 40s. Most of them know each other, and most of them have a gist of which little zone each respective crew is headed to when it’s go-time. It’s easy to recognize the regulars; they seem to be here every single time it snows.
Situated roughly 15 miles north of Idaho’s capital city, Boise, Bogus Basin is the cherished gem of the Treasure Valley. A ski area void of suit-and-tie shareholders and cluttered commercial condos mucking up the base of the mountain, this non-profit, community funded organization serves a city of nearly 250,000 souls with a small-town atmosphere. Therein lies its charm. But it’s the legendary locals and their widespread impact that really give Bogus Basin its draw.
Corey McDonald began riding at Bogus Basin in the early 1990s, just as snowboarding’s popularity boomed around Boise. Known for his recent work leading the diggers at High Cascade Snowboard Camp at Mt. Hood, OR, Corey brings top-tier terrain park knowledge to Bogus Basin. For the past several seasons he’s headed the charge in consistently creating some of the best freestyle setups a snowboarder could hope to find in the Spud State. Fortunately for the scene he’s happy to call Bogus home, but he also admits it took time for him to love it. Bogus was especially difficult for Corey to enjoy back before it became one of the more affordable ski areas around.
“I found myself in the middle of this vibrant community, continually striving to keep up and learn from these remarkable individuals.”
“The journey to enjoying Bogus Basin was quite a remarkable experience, especially for folks like me who faced accessibility challenges,” Corey says. “In those early days, Bogus Basin wasn’t easily reachable for individuals in my situation. Back then, a $500 season pass was far from accessible. It was the wealthier residents of the Highlands and north end who seemed to frequent the mountain. Mike Shirley introduced a game-changing $199 pass that revolutionized the scene. The atmosphere was exhilarating and forward-thinking, with a clear upward trajectory.”
He’s referencing March 1998, when former General Manager Mike Shirley reduced the cost of adult season passes. That next season Bogus Basin sold nearly nine times as many passes as it had the previous year. Total visitors skyrocketed from 192,000 to 303,000 and the ski area’s revenue went up by 55%. Nationally, resort execs took notice of Bogus Basin’s approach to ticket sales, subsequently lowering the prices for their season passes with hopes of scoring similar success. Locally, ski and snowboard equipment sales increased. Nowadays adult season passes and day tickets run around $500 and $80, respectively—not exactly pocket change, but still relatively affordable when it comes to chairlift accessed riding.
Although Corey is often the first snowboarder to come up in conversations about Bogus Basin, he’s far from alone in a surprisingly long list of underrated, all-too-unsung heroes that have come out of the area. “Amidst the scene, Jeff Tulloch emerged as a prominent figure,” Corey says. “The influence extended to ‘Totally Board,’ a film where he made a significant appearance. Doug Harper, affectionately known as the ‘Misty Legend,’ occupied his own revered spot. He ventured to Mt. Baker [WA] after leaving our scene, characterized by his baggy pants, distinctive riding style, one-footed tricks and switch maneuvers. Greg Goulet, Rory Mehen and Justin Mooney constituted a formidable group. Justin, a Bogus pro of considerable acclaim, possessed an extraordinary talent level. All these individuals participated in the Northwest Series alongside notable names such as Peter Line and Jamie Lynn. Bougs, short for Bogus, held rich historical significance. Among us, Jeff Tulloch retained his legendary stature, though an entire group surrounded him. I found myself in the middle of this vibrant community, continually striving to keep up and learn from these remarkable individuals.”
Attuned to its growing freestyle scene, Bogus hosted their very own Winter Games throughout the early 2000s, offering riders a chance to compete in big air, slopestyle and boardercross events. In the 2010s, Corey took charge of the Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation (BBSEF) and put together a freestyle training program and ski area team on top of building its ever-evolving terrain parks. “My decision to assume leadership of BBSEF stemmed from a desire to elevate its prominence,” Corey says. “Examples like Greg Goulet, a world junior halfpipe champion with no formal program, underscored the need for nurturing talent. Similarly, Parker Duke’s achievement in national halfpipe competitions took place despite the absence of a nearby halfpipe.”
Since then, the team has fostered new notable talent including Gnu rider Julian Gluck, and Bogus itself has attracted the likes of Krush Kulesza and Snowboy Productions for numerous events, including but not limited to The Bogus Project, Cliff ’Em All and Lowtide.
You’ll hear a lot of hooting and hollering from the lifts here, because folks are happy to see everybody get theirs...
It’s worth noting the natural terrain, too. A lot of locals, including Corey and Jeff, will tell you that’s the real lure of Bogus Basin. While it’s certainly not the steepest inbounds terrain you’ll find west of the Mississippi, the playful undulations offer countless side hits. With the willingness to explore the boarding never gets boring. Tracking the wind from the night before can give you a good idea of where to try first. Bogus Basin’s 2,600 acres of rideable terrain is spread out across all aspects, a layout that lends to folks spreading out across the mountain, which keeps lines at its 10 chairs down on weekends and makes them practically nonexistent during the typical workweek. On occasions when Bogus is busy, patrons generally stay positive. Rather than competing for every pow turn, people treat it like there’s enough to go around. You’ll hear a lot of hooting and hollering from the lifts here, because folks are happy to see everybody get theirs—a testament to the supportive, fun-loving community. And the positivity surrounding Bogus trickles down the mountain into town. Head out to just about any bar in Boise and you’re bound to hear a few folks singing praise of the hill, a hotspot for persistent powder hounds and the more casual weekend warriors alike. Being only 16 miles from the city, people can spend a full day or take a few laps starting at noon and still be home in time for supper. For those who’d like to stay past dark, there’s night riding. Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen a growing, boisterous scene playing out under the lights.
“The trajectory of Bogus Basin is clear, showcasing a deliberate and strategic approach to winter readiness that minimizes stress, regardless of the season’s challenges,” Corey says. “The investment made into mountain preparation for winter is a cornerstone of their approach. This dedication ensures that Bogus Basin is perpetually evolving, growing, and enhancing the experience for all.”
There’s something to be said for a non-profit ski area that, by longstanding locals’ margins, is consistently headed in the right direction. It’s a rare example of resort investment in the community. And that’s what snowboarding needs now, more than ever.
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