By McKenzie Kraemer

There are places in every town that feel more like a community than a location. For McCall, that place is the Little Ski Hill. What began as a simple tow rope for local kids has evolved into a beloved training ground for Olympians, a second home for generations of ski kids, and a cornerstone of winter culture in the West Central Mountains. Here’s a look back at how it all began…and how it continues to shape the future.

1924 – The Spark

McCall’s history of winter sports began long before ski lifts – kids and adults learned on homemade skis or simple hills like “Mrs. Murphy’s Hill” (now Knob Hill). In the 1920s, jumps at Blackwell’s Ranch became the site of the first McCall Winter Carnival, where ski jumping captivated spectators and local youth.

1937: A Hill with Heart is Born

The Little Ski Hill was born out of community vision and love of winter sports. Originally known as the Payette Lakes Ski Area, it opened in 1937 as Idaho’s first official ski area, complete with a rope tow and lodge.

The original purpose? To give local youth, many of whom had never even seen skis, a chance to try the sport. From the beginning, the hill wasn’t just about skiing – it was about opportunity.

The Little Ski Hill officially opened, built on land donated by Carl Brown and developed by the US Forest Service, CCC workers, and volunteers. The area featured two jump hills (“A” and “B”) and a “boat tow” lift designed by Joe Kasper that carried skiers up the slope. A rustic log lodge served as a cozy gathering place.

Lift tickets cost just $0.10 per ride – or 15 rides for $1 – making skiing accessible to local families.

1940s–50s: The Engen Influence

Corey Engen, a member of the famed Engen ski family and captain of the U.S. Nordic team at the 1948 Winter Olympics, began coaching at the Little Ski Hill in the 1940s. His presence elevated both the technique and aspirations of McCall’s young skiers.

Many of his protégés would go on to become national champions and Olympians themselves. More importantly, he instilled a love for the sport and a spirit of perseverance that still defines the hill today.

During this time, Lloyd Johnson founded the Mighty Mites (1941), McCall’s flagship youth ski racing club. Every day the hill was open, Brown Lumber Company buses transported kids to the hill, giving young athletes a chance to train and chase their dreams.

In 1946, a new 55-meter jump (“A Jump”) was constructed, and when ski legend Alf Engen tested it, he soared an astonishing 204 feet – cementing the hill’s reputation for daring and possibility.

1954–1955:  Resilience and Upgrades

A devastating fire destroyed the lodge and over 200 pairs of skis. The community rallied with a prefab bunkhouse and donated gear. By 1956, a new cinderblock lodge stood in its place. Soon after, a platter tow (like a “Poma”) was installed to modernize uphill access.

1960s–70s: A Generation of Champions

The Little Ski Hill became a launchpad for competitive racers like Patty Boydstun, who skied her way from local gates to the 1972 Olympic Games in Sapporo, Japan. Alongside her, there were countless other young skiers gaining confidence, discipline, and a deep connection to winter.

During these decades, the ski school and junior race programs flourished, building on a foundation of community coaching and homegrown support.

In 1960, generous local donations transformed the hill once again – floodlights draped across trees made McCall’s Little Ski Hill the shining beacon of winter evenings.

When safety concerns led to the removal of an aging portable tow in 1968, the hill closed for three years until the ski club secured an FHA loan of $81,500 to purchase a T-bar and grooming equipment. The Little Ski Hill reopened in 1971, better than ever.

1980s–90s: Holding Strong

While larger resorts expanded and evolved, the Little Ski Hill stayed true to its mission. Volunteers maintained the lodge and lift. Local families ran the race programs. High school skiers trained under lights after class. The hill remained small – but mighty.

While alpine and youth programs thrived, ski jumping waned. A thunderstorm’s microburst in 1992 destroyed the historic wooden jump, the last of its kind in the western U.S.

Even during tough economic times, McCall rallied to keep the hill running. This resilience solidified its role not just as a place to ski, but as a place to belong.

2000s–Present: Lighting the Way

Recent years have seen upgrades to snowmaking, lighting, and lodge facilities, making the hill more accessible than ever. Night skiing now offers working families a chance to get their kids on the snow after school.

Perhaps most notably, the hill continues to serve as a pipeline to the U.S. Ski Team, thanks to a focus on fundamentals, community coaching, and the hill’s unique ability to develop grit.

One of the most visible signs of the Little Ski Hill’s enduring mission is its After School Program. This program provides transportation from classrooms straight to the slopes, making skiing accessible for families regardless of work schedules or income.

The program gives students in grades 1 through 8 the opportunity to learn skiing or snowboarding in a supportive environment. Each session includes equipment rental, lift access, and small group lessons tailored to skill level.

For many kids, it’s their first time on skis. For others, it’s the spark that ignites a lifetime passion.

Parents love the affordability and convenience. Kids love the freedom, the friendships, and the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves. In a town where winter can stretch for months, the After School Program turns cold afternoons into a highlight of the week.

The impact of the Little Ski Hill can’t be measured just in medals or Olympic berths. It’s seen in the friendships forged over cocoa breaks, the lessons learned while side-slipping an icy chute, and the confidence that grows from mastering something hard.

Today, the Little Ski Hill is one of the oldest operating ski areas in Idaho, and still proudly nonprofit. It remains a place where any kid – regardless of gear, background, or ability – can learn to ski, to compete, to lead, and most of all, to belong.

Want to learn more about the history of your favorite McCall places? Visit the Central Idaho Historical Museum (cihmuseum.org).