Bogus Basin Nordic Trails

Bogus Basin Recreation Area is better known for alpine skiing in the winter, but it also has a cross-country skiing trail network. These are the closest Nordic trails to Boise, and they come with the added bonus of some really spectacular views. Unlike most cross-country areas which tend to be on the flat ground of valleys, these are perched on a mountainside. From the Bogus Basin trails you’ll overlook the Boise Foothills, and gaze straight across the valley to the Owyhee Mountains and other ranges off in Oregon.

There are 37 km (23 miles) of trails altogether, groomed for a variety of modes: Classic and skate skiing, plus snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. All types of users frequent these trails, from casual walkers and first-time skiers to competitive athletes. The trails are groomed with lanes specific to each type of equipment, so be sure to stay in the designated track to avoid interfering with others.

A Bogus Basin season pass also allows access to the Nordic trails. If you don’t have that, you can simply purchase a day pass for Nordic skiing, or buy a season pass specific to the Nordic trails. Come with your own equipment or rent from the lodge at the trailhead. Learn-to-ski packages and private lessons are also available.

The Nordic trails begin from the Frontier Point Lodge. From the parking area there’s just one obvious trail to take at first, which is the “Nordic Highway.” Most people stick to this wide and rather flat path, but tougher trails branch off of it. Intermediate and advanced skiers can make a number of loops with connecting trails like Sapper’s Return and Redtail. The Nordic Highway is actually a forest road which is groomed for skiing all winter. Strong skiers can continue quite a few miles on this track, taking one of two forks for different styles of workout. The Shafer Butte Extension gains a lot of elevation rather quickly, and turns around near the alpine ski runs of Bogus Basin. The other fork, called Mores Mountain Extension, is less steep but goes way out into remote territory of the national forest. A shorter out and back on Nordic Highway still delivers considerable uphill and downhill, good for less experienced skiers and for less intense fitness training.