Here comes the snow in Idaho! Tips on where to go this weekend ...

Hi all, 

Well, it seems like it's been taking forever, but here comes the snow!

Turning the page to December on Friday, three back-to-back storms will move into Idaho and dump copious amounts of snow statewide. Bogus, Brundage and Tamarack are all forecast to get 20" + of new snow by Sunday.

Weather forecasts seem to be holding true so far. NOAA is predicting that Brundage, Bogus Basin and Tamarack will get between 24-30" by Monday. Since the storm has a Northwest flow, it will not hit Sun Valley as hard, where less than 10" are expected through Monday.

Here's how the snow map looks on the Idaho Daily Snow.

No matter how you slice it, we should get hit hard by the weekend storms. 

Due to the lack of substantial snow up to now, Bogus, Brundage and Tamarack will be opening limited terrain on Friday and this weekend. Here's what I know so far: 

Bogus Basin will reopen this weekend on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3, 9 am to 4:30 pm. Adult lift tickets cost $49 (plus tax). Front side terrain park will be open plus the Showcase run. Deer Point Express and Coach chairlifts, Easy Rider, and Explorer conveyor lifts will be in operation. Go to Bogus Basin for more information. 

Brundage Mountain is opening the Easy Street chairlift on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2-3, from 9 am to 4 pm. Lift tickets are $5. Smoky’s Bar & Grill will be open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm both days, and guests will be treated to 50% savings on all rental gear in the Fall Line Shop. 

Tamarack Resort is opening for a Winter Preview on Friday, Dec. 1 on the beginner hill serviced by the Discovery Chairlift. Operating 9 am to 4 pm. The lift accesses freshly groomed slopes with mini-terrain park features. Lift Tickets are $15 for non-Boundless Pass holders!! The Discovery lift and the Tamarack Village area will be open through Sunday, Dec. 3.    

Just so you know, the timing of the storms is such that they come in Friday-Sunday. The biggest snow totals are expected on Saturday and Saturday night. The most optimistic forecast is that Bogus Basin could get 28" by Sunday, Brundage 30" and Tamarack 22" by Sunday. (source: OpenSnow.com)

That's good news to build the snow base and get the mountains in skiing/riding shape for the winter of 2023-2024! 

My advice would be to get out and play in the snow this weekend if you like snow! Just even going sledding or boot-hiking in new snow would be fun! Maybe go get a Christmas tree! 

Outside of the ski areas, the snow will be piling up above Idaho City as well. But you might give it a little time ... checking on the Mores Creek snotel site, the current snow depth at Mores Creek Summit is 2" as of Thursday. Could be over 10" by Saturday afternoon! 

All of the Idaho City Park and Ski Areas won't have enough snow for grooming yet, but they could be a fun place to go boot hiking or snowshoeing. Might be deep enough for xc skis by Sunday? 

Just so you know ... the weather is supposed to warm up and snow levels are projected to go up to 6,500 Sunday night to over 8,000 (above the summits of  Bogus, Brundage and Tamarack by Monday night. The snow levels are forecast to rise to over 9,500 feet by Tuesday night. Geez!  

So that could cause melting and snow-loss after waiting for a big storm this weekend. Not to be a Debbie Downer or anything, but a head's up! 

So there's your weather report for what will be the first major snowstorm of the winter! 

If you stay in town, be sure to stay off muddy trails in the foothills. Stick to all-weather trails or the Greenbelt. Watch for updates on the Ridge to Rivers Facebook page. 

- SS

Steelhead in the Boise River Friday! Party in the park at Bogus, plus hiking and biking in the foothills

Steelhead! Courtesy IDFG 

Hi all, 

This unseasonably nice weather we've been having in Boise and Southern Idaho will continue through tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 17), and then we've got some rain in the forecast on Saturday night, and Sunday looks OK but quite a bit cooler with some rain in the morning and windy conditions in the afternoon. 

So Friday looks to be a great day to get out and enjoy hiking or biking on your favorite Ridge to Rivers trails or the Boise River Greenbelt. I am hoping to ride the Sidewinder-Fat Tire-Trail #5 loop in the afternoon. 

On Friday, Idaho Fish and Game will be stocking 250 steelhead in the Boise River in the usual locations - Glenwood Bridge, Americana Bridge, Broadway Bridge, West ParkCenter Bridge, and Barber Park. 

That'll be an awesome opportunity to catch a nice steelhead from the Snake River in Hells Canyon. Bag limit is 2 per person per day. See more details here. 

Low Tide terrain park event
last year. (Courtesy BB)

On Saturday and Sunday, Bogus Basin will open its Explorer Terrain Park for skiers and riders. Lift tickets are free on Saturday. There’s a special event on Sunday, "The Gathering - Party in the Park 2023" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lift tickets are $10.

I hope the rain/snow mix forecast Saturday night turns to all snow by Sunday morning to have a fresh coating of snow on the terrain park. You could always drive up there and see how you like the conditions to join in on the fun. 

On Saturday, the weather forecast is for partly cloudy skies and a high of 56, so that should be fine for hiking and biking in the foothills. 

A couple of other possibilities for trails to explore: 

• Hawkins Loop Trail, off of Bogus Basin Road. This 5.7-mile loop will be closed on Dec. 1 for the winter, so you've only got a few more days to check out that directional trail, if you haven't already. See more details about the Hawkins Loop Trail here. 
• Freddy's Stack Rock Trail - Start at the pullout on Bogus Basin Road at about mile 10, cruise over to the Freddy's Stack Rock-Sweet Connie junction, and do the Freddy's loop. That's a great ride and a significant hike. See my previous post about that mountain bike ride when the new connector trail from Bogus road to the Freddy's-Sweet Connie jct. opened in 2019.

  

  L-R, Doug, Steve, Jim and Mack on Stack Rock. 

• Five Mile-Watchman Loop - Start at the end of pavement on Rocky Canyon Road and do the 10-mile Watchman Loop; or start at the Five Mile Creek Trailhead and do a 6-mile loop up Five Mile Creek, then climb Watchman, descend and drop out on Three Bears back to the trailhead. The 6-mile loop usually takes about 3.5 hours hiking. The 10-mile Watchman Loop usually takes about 2 hours of riding time. 

There you have it! 

Have a great weekend and a nice Thanksgiving! 

- SS