BOGUS BASIN - The earliest opening ever for Bogus Basin was November 17. That date has come and gone and eager skiers and snowboarders are still waiting for the 18 inches needed to fire up the chairlifts and open for the season.

Over the weekend three inches of fresh powder brought the level closer, but another seven or eight is still needed. Gretchen Anderson, spokeswoman for Bogus Basin, says it's really a guessing game as to when they can open.

"We just have to wait until old man winter delivers," she said.

Alex Ryan is an avid snowboarder. He drove up just to check out the snow level for himself. Like most Idahoans he's been waiting all summer to break in his new board.

"The more and more snow I see I can feel it," he said. "Everybody else is feeling it. The guys are work are feeling it. They're all ready to go."

Some eager to throw on their boots on Sunday weren't waiting. 2News found a group of shovel-wielding teens building their own ski recreation area. They built ramps and jumps and then hike up and board down.

"It gives me a good adrenaline rush," said Jerry Lightfoot.

But one thing Bogus does warn against during this exciting preseason period is to keep out of the lift area.

"Our guests can really help us out by staying off the snow right now so we can preserve the base that we have right now," Anderson said. "Then we'll get some more storms and get this whole shin-dig going for the season."