An Interview with Heidi, a Brave Ski Mom from Boise
If you could only ski at one ski area this season with your family, which area would you choose?
Bogus Basin, Idaho!
Why is Bogus Basin your favorite?
The greatest thing about Bogus Basin is that it is only 16 miles from Boise. The road up to Bogus Basin is good and it is very accessible. There is great terrain for everyone, with a magic carpet, a super-slow lift for young beginners and a good learn-to-ski program. There are a total of seven lifts serving all sorts of terrain.
What I especially love is that one side of the mountain is for alpine skiing, has a terrain park and is lit for night-skiing. The other side of the mountain has an extensive nordic track system, that is also lit at night. I like to ski nordic in the morning, change my gear at lunch and ski alpine in the afternoon. There are also snowshoe trails and tubing. Bogus Basin is very involved with the community in Boise and is very community-oriented. A season pass is only $199!
What are the best amenities at Bogus Basin for family skiing?
The ski school is excellent. There are two lodges, so you can always find a seat. The ski area is set up to handle a lot of people. You can’t beat the season pass price, and it includes everything — alpine and nordic. Because Bogus Basin is not super-big, it is very safe and you can’t get lost. Kids can ski independently, however, I personally wouldn’t send anyone younger than 10 to the backside of the mountain without supervision.
What needs to be improved at Bogus Basin to make it even better for family skiing?
I would expand the ski area. There are vast acres of mountains and forest around Bogus Basin and sometimes it can get crowded.
Are there any “secrets” you are willing to share about Bogus Basin?
You can buy lift tickets in Boise at the Bogus Basin office. If you have a ticket already, you don’t have to park in the big parking lot near the ski school. Instead, you can find a “secret” parking spots at the smaller lots tucked in here and there around the mountain. These smaller lots are less crowded and you can go right to the more difficult skiing, bypassing the crowds at ski school.
You can also get discounted tickets with an Idaho Ski Card.
What advice would you give to other families before they come to Bogus Basin?
Get your ticket in advance and head to the backside first. Bypass the main area and take the high-speed quad.
What are your favorite places to eat at Bogus Basin?
We usually bring our lunch, but we love the chili-cheese fries! On weekends, you can take a horse-drawn sleigh to a yurt and have dinner.
Where is your favorite place to stay at Bogus Basin?
There is a yurt off of the nordic trails, which can be rented overnight! Otherwise, we live close enough to just come up for the day. There is also a condo complex with units available to rent.
What makes Bogus Basin unique?
Bogus Basin is a jumping off point for backcountry skiing. The ski area has a basin in which you can practice avalanche beacon work. They also offer clinics on backcountry safety.
What is your favorite thing about family skiing?
I love skiing with my siblings and their families when they are in town. It is especially fun to ski with all of the kids. The younger ones are so enthusiastic! It is great to have them around to make things fresh. I love watching my young nieces and nephews in their high-speed snowplows. I also love how we all ski and laugh together.
The Brave Ski Mom Adds…….
Thanks Heidi!
Bogus Basin sounds like a great, low-key ski area with everything! I am especially intrigued with the idea of cross country skiing in the morning and alpine skiing in the afternoon. Now that is having it all! Not only that, but Bogus Basin is a community-owned, not-for-profit ski area! It boggles the mind of this Coloradan.
For more information on skiing at Bogus Basin, or even how you can make a donation to them (!), the Bogus Basin website is the place to go.
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I love Bogus as well. Skied there for some 30 years before we moved to Colorado. Even taught with the City Rec program for a season pass each year. That’s where my girls learned to ski. It was so close and so fun. Have many fond memories of skiing with friends and family there. Glad you like my home area.