Bogus Basin to raise season passes to $299: 'Price has remained virtually the same'

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) -- If you're planning to buy next year's season pass to Bogus Basin, it'll cost you about 25 percent more.

The mountain announced Thursday new prices for its annual President's Week sale, which increases skier pass options and specifies when they can ski.

At $299, the full version offers a regular season pass for adults, valid any day and night for the next season. At $239, the midweek adult pass will be good Monday through Friday, except holidays.

The last option at $99, is valid only for adult or youth night-skiing from 4 p.m. until closing. All three pass options will be valid beginning November of 2016 through April of 2017.

Early activation is available for February-April 2016 only for new pass holders.

"While the season pass price has remained virtually the same since 1998, the cost of operating this large recreation area has not," Brad Wilson, general manager wrote in a letter to the mountain's recreation board. "It is now time to correct this."

To offset the increase, the mountain is offering several season pass perks for those who purchase tickets during the President's Week sale.

That includes summer lift tickets for mountain biking and day passes to other ski areas, including Tamarack, Soldier Mountain and Diamond Peak.

Bogus officials say the perks add up to more than $600 of additional value.

Prices for other passes during President's Week are as follows: Pre-school (6 and under) $29, Junior (12-18 years) $229; Child (7-11 years) $69; Senior Pass (age 70+) $199; and the Family Season Pass $999.

"This annual sale is our largest revenue driver and is critically important for our future," Wilson said in his letter to the board. "Bogus Basin has built a business model dependent upon our season pass holders purchasing next year's pass 10 months in advance."

Bogus officials say the season passes are the primary base of all revenue that supports the mountain's 35 year-round staff members, 600 seasonal employees, lift operations, snow cats and grooming, lodges and more.

"It is time to right the ship and get back on course to financial security so we can keep Bogus Basin financially viable," Wilson wrote in his letter to the board.

Last year, Bogus Basin's regular season pass cost $229 during the President's Week sale.

A second chance sale later in the season offered skiers a season's pass for $259.

This year's President's Week sale lasts from Feb. 15-21.

After that, season pass prices increase throughout the year, from $329 up to $499.

Season passes can be purchased starting President's Week at the Bogus Basin main office on Bogus Basin Road or online.

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