If you had a great winter up at Bogus Basin Ski Resort, you're definitely going to want to mark your calendars for July 1. That's when the resort is opening up several new attractions for people of all ages. Right now, they're hard at work to make sure that will get done on time.
First, a patio extension. Nate Shake, director of mountain operations at Bogus, says they're adding 12,000 heated pavers, fire ring seats, and a food and drink area.
Then, there will be a large grassy area right off the patio. Shake says that's where a new conveyer lift will go for beginner skiers, and it's also going to be a space for families to enjoy summer concerts.
"This is going to allow more people that aren't skiers and boarders or bikers to come here and enjoy Bogus Basin," Shake said.
The improvements don't stop there. There will also be a climbing wall, bungee trampoline, gem mining station and a new lift for summer tubing. The biggest attraction: a mountain coaster.
"It'll have lot of curves and corners, two 360-degree loops," said Shake. "You go up the mountain and come down on your own power and swoop down the hill. It comes back and returns you back to the start. It'll be a forest experience as you come on down with great views of the Treasure Valley.
The coaster is scheduled to open in September.
Just how much are all of these changes going to cost? Shake says this summer's projects will cost $4.3 million.
"We're ecstatic to be in this position to be able to do all of these improvements," Shake said. "With two great winters of snow and lots of visitors and good revenue, we're able to fund the whole project and add these amenities for the summer, which will make us a year-round resort."
For the past two summers, Shake says the resort has only offered lifts for mountain bikers and hikers on Saturdays and Sundays, but now they will be open Thursday through Sunday.
"You're always worried about when the snow is going to come, how much snow you're going to have, how the winter is going to be and can you make it from one winter to the beginning of the next," said Shake. "Stability is what these projects are going to add to the mountain and the operation and that's something we haven't had,"
Shake says this is only phase one of a 10-year plan that will end up costing around $18 million. He says the resort is hoping all the revenue brought in by these new attractions and ski operation improvements will continue to fund those new projects.