Paul Boehlke - KTVB

Bogus Basin plans to open more on the mountain this week thanks to more snowfall.

BOISE - Bogus Basin Mountain Resort announced today that it will ramp up to near full operations by this Saturday.

On Tuesday, spokesperson Gretchen Anderson told NewsChannel 7 that opening day is set for Thursday.

Thursday also marks the 65th anniversary of the resort north of Boise.

Bogus Basin managers have surveyed the snowpack this morning and will add chairlift #5/Bitterroot to the opening line-up tomorrow. 

Night operations will begin Friday and chairlift #6/Pine Creek will open Saturday. 

"We took a look at the mountain and the snow conditions are tremendous," said Steve Shake, V.P. Mountain Operations.  "We will see what the next few forecasted storms bring us-in hopes of announcing an opening for chairlift #3/Superior."  

The Deer Point, Showcase, Morningstar, Coach and Easy Rider lifts will be operating Thursday -- meaning the bulk of terrain on the front side of the mountain will be open for skiing.

The resort will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day – just in time for the busy holiday season. All lodges will be open.

A dry fall season has hampered efforts to open the lifts, but a series of recent storms helped get snow levels over the 17-inch hump needed to open.

In celebration of the anniversary, all lift tickets will be free for Thursday - but skiers and snowboarders are asked to stop by the ticket office and get a ticket before getting on the lifts.

The Gold Rush tubing hill and Nordic operations opened last week.

More snow is expected to continue falling throughout the week.