Less than an hour drive from most places in the Treasure Valley is a place that gives you breath taking views and a place to make memories skiing with friends and family. That place is Bogus Basin. I think my first time skiing (on the bunny hill!) at Bogus was around 1979. After realizing cross country skiing was not for me I talked my parents into renting some skis and trying downhill skiing instead. I was hooked from my first try.
Its easy to see Bogus Basin at night in the winter… its all lit up on top of the mountain overlooking Boise. I never thought about the name, Bogus Basin, till those silly 80’s movies came out where boys would say things like, “That’s so BOGUS!”. So where did the name come from? Its believed that it got its name during the 19th century gold rush. Some less than reputable fellas in the hills above Boise City would make bogus gold dust by heating lead filings with just a bit if real gold dust. BOGUS!
At Bogus Basin there’s much you can do in the winter. Downhill ski, cross country ski, tube down the hill, and get a great meal in the lodge. They offer lessons for the beginners and ski patrol for the reckless. LOL!
If you’re new to Idaho you may not be familiar with what’s called an inversion. When that happens the valley gets socked in with fog and low clouds but what you might NOT know is that if you went up the hill to Bogus, you leave the inversion behind and enjoy blue skies and often warmer weather. It truly is a beautiful place to get away without having to drive too far.
And if you find yourself on the chairlift and see all the tall antennas at the top… give them a wave! One of them broadcasts the signal of 89.5 KTSY to you everyday!
