BOISE, Idaho — Bogus Basin is launching a series of new transportation initiatives for the 2019-20 winter season to increase ease of access, promote ridesharing, and reduce emissions at the nonprofit recreation area. The initiatives include priority parking benefits for carpoolers on peak weekends and holiday periods, and an ongoing Parking License Agreement with City of Boise for a downtown Park & Ride location.
On December 26th, the area will begin offering public transport to and from the mountain. Officials at Bogus Basin have spent the better part of a year meeting with stakeholders, surveying its users, and gathering data from ski areas throughout the Pacific Northwest that are also experiencing the effects of growth. The research revealed overwhelming support for the introduction of new and improved transportation options to the area, especially among its most loyal users.
A survey of Bogus Basin season pass holders intended to gauge interest in the topic of alternative transportation generated nearly 4,000 responses and more than 1,200 comments. Extensive research was conducted by a team of Executive MBA students from Boise State University. The team spent their entire semester testing the assumption that improved transportation options would increase accessibility, affordability, and sustainability, both environmentally and financially, for Bogus Basin. Their efforts culminated in May with a series of recommendations and strong momentum around the transportation conversation.
Bogus Basin offers 17 acres of public parking in 10 different lots. Each acre of parking accommodates approximately 225 vehicles. Four of the lots are Ski-in/Out. Last summer, a generous contribution from Central Paving Co. enabled Bogus Basin to widen and page the family drop-off area behind Simplot Lodge.
Here is an overview of new and existing programs and partnerships intended to improve ease of access and increase environment stewardship at Bogus Basin:
- Bogus Basin’s Fort Boise Park & Ride Lot, located at 750 Mountain Cove Road, serves as a bus stop for transport to and from the mountain, and as a parking site for the ridesharing public. The lot has been made available to Bogus Basin through an ongoing Parking License Agreement with City of Boise.
- Carpool Only (3+ people) Parking Benefits have been established on peak weekends and holiday periods. The designated carpool parking area accommodates 250-300 vehicles, and is located in Bogus Basin’s main parking lot (Lot #1). Bogus has partnered with the professional team from MAV Event Services to facilitate carpool parking services.
- Adult Public Shuttle Service begins on Thursday, December 26th. Bogus Basin has acquired a 24-passenger shuttle bus for public transport to and from the mountain. The bus will leave the Fort Boise Park & Ride Lot at 8:30am and 11:00am. Transport times back to town are 3:00pm, 5:30pm, and 7:30pm. This public adult shuttle is available weekends and holidays only. Passengers under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $10 (cash-only) round trip and/or one way.
- ICCU “Turns & Returns” Shuttles Through a new sponsorship with Idaho Central Credit Union, Bogus Basin has acquired two new shuttle buses for the area. One of the shuttles will provide public transport to and from the mountain. The second bus will shuttle guests and gear between three stops in the main parking lot and Simplot Lodge.
- Youth Public Bus Service, provided by Cascade Student Transport, is available weekends and holiday periods. The bus makes stops in Meridian, Eagle and at the Fort Boise Park & Ride Lot. Cost is $10 (cash only) round trip and/or one way. Schedule information is here.
Bogus Basin has made changes to its internal policies for employees and volunteers to encourage use of company provided transportation, which will increase guest parking availability. The area partners closely with ACHD Commuteride, and leases seven of their vans to help transport seasonal employees to and from the mountain. Additionally, bus service for employees on weekends is provided by Caldwell Transportation Company.
Bogus Basin has also stepped up its internal commitment to sustainability by hiring Environmental Education and Stewardship Coordinator Dirk Anderson in June. Anderson holds a Masters in Science in Natural Resources from the McCall Outdoor Science School, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. He is tasked with expanding environmental education programming, and improving environmental stewardship at Bogus Basin.
He is spending his first winter season benchmarking energy consumption and materials usage, introducing recycling projects, and supporting the transportation initiatives.
“The fact that Bogus Basin has created this position shows that it interested in becoming a champion for sustainability,” said Anderson. “The transportation initiatives are an important step in the right direction.”
