Despite its name, the skiing at Bogus Basin is anything but ... Bogus Basin is a non-profit community operated Idaho ski area with boatloads of terrain. You can ski 360-degrees from one of two summits that encompass 2,600 acres and drops 1,800’ vertical. From Boise, you are just 16 miles from Bogus Basin but it takes a good 45 minutes, and four wheel drive, up a wild wintry road that deserves its own black diamond designation.

Bogus Basin ski area has multiple faces – a bit bewildering for first timers. There is nothing fancy about Bogus, the lodges are rustic – even retro. Bogus stretches over 67 runs with 7 lifts (2 are high speed quads). There are six areas including the Front side's beginner Bitterroot, and intermediate Morning Star and Deer Point peaks which host a bunch of blue cruisers and a terrain park. On a powder day at Bogus, head for the plethora of steep and deep double black runs off 7,590’ Shafer Butte in the Pine Creek and Superior backside, there is one easier route down each, and a traverse cat track to  bail back to Bogus’ frontside.

With its proximity to Boise, Bogus Basin is a good day (and night) area to hit if from Boise. There is nothing luxurious about Bogus, but you can catch some good tracks - Bogus stays open until 10pm with events galore, it bustles on weekends.

For Boise lodging, The Modern Hotel is art deco, with fluffy robes, rain showers and a real groovy feel. You have easy access to Bogus from downtown Boise, and the Modern Hotel breakfast is the best – French roasted coffee, pastries from a local patisserie of croissant, pain au chocolate, yogurt and fresh fruit. The Modern Hotel is ideal for skiers with late flight arrivals into Boise.

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