Bogus Basin Unearths 60% of Snow Saved From Last March
Finland-developed insulation panels protected the snow pile from 118-degree heat, allowing the mountain to prepare ski runs months before natural snowfall arrives.
By Justin Brooks ·
Bogus Basin Mountain Operations staff recently uncovered a massive pile of snow that has sat on the mountain since late March, with approximately 60% of the original volume surviving the summer heat.
The preserved snow was part of a project called Snow Secure, a technology developed in Finland. The snow sat under specially designed insulated panels throughout the Idaho summer. During the hottest periods, temperatures on the outside surface of those panels reportedly reached 118 degrees.
Despite the intense heat, the snow remained intact underneath the protective cover. The mountain had been planning to use this stored snow to prepare ski runs before new snowfall arrived. This method also reduces the water and electricity required to manufacture snow.
Bogus Basin first tested the Snow Secure technology during the 2025 season. The preserved snow helped the resort open for Thanksgiving weekend last year, despite unusually warm conditions. The successful test demonstrated that the mountain could rely on stored snow to start the season earlier.
Mountain officials hope to store enough snow in the future to open the Coach’s Corner run and an early-season terrain park. This would reduce the mountain’s dependence on fresh snowfall or artificial snowmaking for its opening days. The goal is to provide skiers and snowboarders with a more reliable start to the winter season.
The Treasure Valley often experiences delays in snow arrival, leaving residents and visitors waiting for winter to begin. By keeping a portion of the previous season’s snow in storage, Bogus Basin can begin preparing its slopes immediately upon the season’s start. The mountain aims to use this stored snow to secure early-season operations.
The snow pile was revealed in November as the local area begins its transition into winter. The Mountain Operations team completed the uncovering process after the snow had been protected for more than seven months. The resort will now utilize the remaining snow to ready its trails for the upcoming ski season.
