BOISE COUNTY - Three snow boarders rescued Monday after being stranded most of the night says foggy conditions made them disoriented.
They were found safe by Idaho Mountain Rescue in an out-of-bounds area near Bogus Basin ski area early Monday morning.
Bogus Basin has 2,600 acres of skiable terrain in-bounds. There are also designated areas where skiers can go out-of-bounds, but Bogus ski patrollers warn if you go out of bounds you must ski at your own risk.
"We have several different gates that people can access back country for their back country skiing enjoyment,” said Jaker Merlini, the Ski Patrol Director at Bogus Basin.
Merlini says there are five gates from Bogus Basin where snow enthusiasts can access fresh powder in Idaho’s back country. Merlini says when venturing out, it is all about being safe.
"Once you're out there you're on your own -- there's no ski patrol, there's no avalanche control and you're on your own,” said Merlini.
Merlini recommends carrying an avalanche rescue beacon, shovel, extra food and water, and a cell phone because he says when you're in the back country -- you can never be too safe.
"Be totally, totally prepared when you go into the back country,” said Merlini.
Ski patrollers say they routinely check to make sure boarders and skiers are using the designated gates to access the back country and that they are not going under the rope. If someone is found going under the rope, ski patrollers will revoke their ski pass.
Bogus Basin also has a search and rescue policy, meaning if a boarder of skier needs help from an out-of-bounds area, they will be charged $1,000 an hour.
Officials at Bogus Basin say the boarders in this instance will not be charged.
