Make it an even six new lifts slated for construction across the great state of Idaho this year. Bogus Basin announced today it will replace the Morning Star triple with a 3,100 foot detachable quad chair from Doppelmayr USA in time for next winter. Capacity will increase and ride time will quicken dramatically to just over three minutes. The Morning Star Express will rise approximately 625 vertical feet and service a variety of tails from beginner to expert.
“We are really excited about an improvement that will have a tremendous impact on the flow of guests throughout the area in winter and summer,” said Kevin Settles, Bogus Basin board chairman in a press release. “The community has been incredibly supportive of the changes that have happened at Bogus Basin over the past three years, all of which are part of a comprehensive master plan.” Bogus is the largest 501(c)3 nonprofit ski area in the country and operates a fleet of seven chairlifts on 2,600 acres. Expect the $5 million lift to open some time in December.
Lift Blog 
Congrats to Bogus Basin. Great local/regional ski area bringing winter sports to the great community of Boise.
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Once it’s in, summer will be better as well. It seems to be a challenge to build trail around the Valley if it’s on Boise NF land, and Chair 2 only serves private land. The trails they have built the last few years are all closest to the top of 2. I don’t like change, unless it’s this sort of change. Good job, Brad and crew.
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After running a non-profit ski organization myself, I am completely against this. While Bogus Basin paid cash for its first two high speed quads, it has recently suffered several bad ski season and still has substantial debt from recent upgrades, like the Superior Express and new Nordic lodge which is in the millions. Adding another 4 million in debt is not good. I would be in favor of this if its balance sheet was a lot healthier, but it’s not in my opinion.
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Quick Note: Bogus Basin has roughly $7 million on debit dating back from a 2017 news article and this will add another $4,000,000 or so. Don’t forget, Bogus Basin suffered severe debt crises going back to the 1950s and got bailed out by Simplot.
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Cameron, I don’t know where you get your information, but we are paying cash for our new lift. Just like we did for our $6 million snow making system last summer; mountain coaster and other summer activities. Brad Wilson-GM, Bogus Basin
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Hi Brad, my source is from the Idaho Statesmen and similar articles about Bogus Basin’s debit can be found online dating as recent as 2017.
https://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/recreation/article58590243.html
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What ski organization did you run?
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Willamette Alpine Race Program. It was a ski club. BTW, Bogus Basin has had its debt paid off by Simplot.
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Cameron, Simplot had nothing to do with us paying off our debt last year. We paid off the remaining debt through operating income. We are now debt free and will remain so indefinitely. FYI: We put in two quad lifts last summer too. If you’d like to know the facts, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks-Brad
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I think this upgrade is smart as it connects a huge part of the mountain. It will be useful for the “morning rush”. I do feel like if Bogus is conscientious about money that they should go with a fixed grip quad with a high capacity. That would save a ton of money for a lift that isn’t that long.
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Going detachable with that one is surprising. Are they planning to use that for biking? Would make more sense if that’s the plan.
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Detaches make a ton of sense for teaching terrain. (Think Little Cat at Snowbasin.) Old Chair 2 isn’t a challenge for those of us with years under our bases, but new folks find the abrupt under-the-bullwheel load and unload quite tough. There’s no room for error on either end, so on weekends one just expects a long line and many stops. A detach will help with all of these problems. Also, hopefully they are able to pick up bike carriers for summer ’20. Quick laps on Morningstar and the new fancy trails will be quite fun. Lastly, the building of new trail is much easier on the private land Chair 2 serves than the Boise NF land upon which Chair 1 sits. This upgrade has good year-round potential, regardless of current upgrade reasoning or projected near-future usage.
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If you’ve ever wanted a Riblet triple chair, here’s your chance to snag one.
https://bogusbasin.org/morning-star-chairlift-chairs-for-sale/
The auction opens this Sunday, April 28th, 2019.
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