The Amazing Culture of Youth Winter Sports in McCall
By Susan Reddick

In McCall, we don’t just endure winter, we lean into it. The snow falls early, sticks around late, and blankets the calendar for nearly half the year. For many, that might sound like a challenge. But here, it’s an opportunity. While other communities might have one or two winter sport options for kids, McCall is in a league of its own—a place where the question isn’t if your child will play in the snow, but which snow sport they’ll fall in love with first.

By late November, the first flakes fly. By March, we’ve tallied 140 inches and counting. The sun makes a brief cameo—just under nine hours a day at its shortest—while temperatures dip. Cabin fever? It’s real. But so is the cure. And McCall parents have known it for generations: get the kids outside. Get them moving. Get them skiing, skating, sledding, sliding, and soaring through the season with a grin.
Luckily, McCall kids are built tough—and they come by it honestly. Their parents, and their parents before them, have always found ways to not just survive winter, but celebrate it. That spirit traces all the way back to the 1880s, when Finnish and Scandinavian settlers used skis and snowshoes as a daily means of transportation.

In the 1920s, the Blackwell Ski Jump became the hot spot for local kids to test their mettle, followed in 1937 by the opening of the Little Ski Hill.
That early momentum snowballed into something rare: a deeply woven culture of youth winter sports that spans generations. Today, it’s a thriving network of programs, passionate volunteers, and community-driven organizations that get kids outside, moving, and learning on even the coldest days.
Take a peek behind the curtain of what life is like growing up in McCall and the programs that instill a love of winter sports in all who do.

Payette Lakes Ski Club
Energetic kids still fly down the mountain at Little Ski Hill as part of the Payette Lakes Ski Club (PLSC) after-school programs. Built in 1937, the Little Ski Hill has served the region’s youth and skiing community ever since. The PLSC understands that to grow up skiing and snowboarding is a big part of what it means to grow up in McCall. From the time kids step into bindings for the first time until they are prepared to instruct the next generation, the PLSC guides the way.

The Little Ski Hill After School Program is open to youth from 1st grade through 6th grade, while athletes over 14 years old can apply to be instructors for the program. The LSH provides after school bus transportation from local schools for students and instructors. On the hill, kids learn about sport and themselves. They watch other kids and realize, “If they can do it, I can do it.” They learn to ski and snowboard, and then many learn to give back when they become teachers of the next generation.
Former coach and forever ski mom Kim Allen loves the program for its continuity.

“My kids skied with the program and became teachers,” she says. “My daughter still participates in the Town Races every year, and my granddaughter Hailey spent her first day skiing at Little Ski Hill, riding up the T-bar in a backpack. Everything comes full circle.”

McCall Figure Skating Club
Before 2003, McCall ice skaters laced up their boots according to the whims of nature. They had to time it just right – after Payette and Little Lakes froze like glass, but before snow accumulated to gum up the surface. For a while, the skating community welcomed an outdoor rink in a parking lot off Pine Street, but, again, Mother Nature called the shots, and the season was short. These days, and with many thanks to the Sabala family, Manchester Ice & Event Centre rises above Lake Street in the center of McCall. The rink opened in 2003 to a population clamoring for year-round hockey, curling, and figure skating.
Taking full advantage of this premier facility, the McCall Figure Skating Club (MFSC) is dedicated to supporting the practice, instruction, and advancement of figure skating while encouraging respect and goodwill among participants. Lessons begin with a Learn to Skate program designed for varying skating skill levels from age 4 years and older.

Skater etiquette is precise and full of life lessons. Safety first: skate blades are sharp! Skaters must also be self-aware, keep moving on the ice, share the space, acknowledge the right-of-way, and take turns. Maintaining positive attitudes is key to achieving goals in each session.
Courtney Bork, current president of the MFSC, has skated most of her life. She loves that figure skating can be a lifetime sport in McCall and that performing is still an option for her. The icing on the cake is that her 8-year-old daughter Harper is a budding figure skater like her mom.

“She loves to skate, to dress up and have her hair done, pretend to be a character on ice, be with friends, and perform,” Bork relates.

Another skater mom, Carla Brinkley, agrees. Her daughter Maci has skated for ten years (beginning at age 3!) and loves to spend time at the ice rink.

“Manchester feels like a home away from home to Maci. Her coach, Lori Benton, is a second mom by now. The kids have fun, but they have to behave and keep track of a lot of gear!” Brinkley laughs.
Maci also enjoys the program because there’s always something new to learn. In turn, her mom appreciates the independence that skaters develop. After the final bell, the school bus delivers kids to the rink where they look out for themselves.

For years, figure skating has provided McCall with a form of artful expression not available through more traditional winter sports. The MFSC brings former Olympians, para skaters, and national champions to perform before local audiences. The group hosts several programs a year, culminating with the Winter Carnival Ice Show, which provides mesmerizing entertainment for our community – from aerial silks artistry to shows with musical themes such as Broadway, and Skating Through the Decades.

McCall Youth Hockey Association
At Manchester, the music isn’t always melodious. Hockey is raucous by nature, and the McCall Youth Hockey Association (MYHA) provides an outlet for releasing energy while coaches develop skills, promote sportsmanship, and instill the life values of personal integrity, self-esteem, and discipline within players. As with figure skaters, hockey players can begin their careers with the Learn to Skate program, then opt for a stick and a game plan over a costume and a dance routine.

MYHA is sanctioned by USA Hockey, Inc. and gives athletes 4 years old through high school the opportunity to play a high-speed, team-oriented game. A child’s year of birth determines which program to join, from the U6 Junior Mites to the U18 High School players.

For dedicated athletes, the MYHA program can be a conduit to higher-level hockey. Student-athletes from our local programs have gone on to play at high school hockey academies and at the college level. Local players can join junior teams in McCall or Boise and travel to regional competitions in Moscow, Missoula, Boise, Sun Valley, Coeur d’Alene, and Spokane. One impact of the highly successful youth programs is the two professional teams that call McCall home: the Smokejumpers, a USPHL Premier hockey team, and the Mountaineers, a professional team competing in the Mountain Hockey League. Kids can see that adults continue to play and have fun with the sport, which makes it more likely that they, too, will keep playing.

One former local hockey player took her hockey skills to Boise State University, where she helped revive BSU’s women’s hockey program. Hailey Grenda, 23, has learned many life skills on the ice. She credits her gumption level to being one of three girls who played hockey on our local boys’ high school team.
“Playing with the boys made me tough, self-aware,” says Grenda. “I’m 5’6” but smaller than most of the boys, so I had to be smart, always looking for what was coming and gauging the momentum of the game.”

Like many athletes, Grenda feels that her sport teaches discipline, a strong work ethic, self-confidence, and persistence, skills that have transferred to other aspects of her life. Above all, Grenda appreciates the gift of community she has found through hockey.

“No matter where the ice rink is, you can find a home.”

McCall Nordic & Biathlon Ski Club
A Nordic ski event brims with brightly colored clothing and clanging cowbells. Between races, kids build snow forts and chuck snowballs at each other (especially the McCall kids); during races, they fling themselves along a course with ups and downs, twists and turns; after races, they drop to the snow, chests heaving, while volunteers coax them out of the finish area. As one parent put it, “This sport is not for the faint of heart.”

Those 140 inches of snow that cover McCall streets every winter ensure that nearby Nordic ski venues – Ponderosa State Park, Bear Basin, Jug Mountain Ranch, the Activity Barn, and Tamarack Resort – offer outstanding, affordable skiing with easy access. To get kids ready for the challenge, the McCall Nordic and Biathlon Ski Club (MNBSC) promotes skills, community, fitness, and resiliency among its members, focusing on success that is defined by effort, not ability or victory.

The MNBSC supports youth from ages 5 to 18. Younger kids practice two days a week after school while high school student athletes aiming for a spot on the Intermountain West Junior Nationals Team train nearly every day. U14 and younger skiers can participate in the Intermountain Youth Championships, a fun weekend of racing with skate and classic cross-country techniques, short downhill courses, and obstacle courses. About twenty skiers took part in the Seely Lake, Montana, event last year; this year’s will be held in Victor, Idaho. High school skiers compete in Junior National Qualifying events held around the Intermountain West: Park City, Jackson, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Sun Valley, and McCall.
Coach Matt Galyardt points out that Nordic programs have existed for decades in our area and for good reason: the sport is challenging and rewarding.

“Cross-country skiing is difficult to learn – skill-based and physically demanding. Keeping it fun is at the top of the coaches’ list, but we love to see kids show that they can do hard things.”

“Nordic isn’t a big-time commitment. Somewhere between one and two hours of practice is plenty. The sport is physical and offers social engagement. Kids often ski side-by-side down the trails. And what kids may not realize until adulthood is what it means to suffer a bit, survive, and thrive. What happens on the trails can translate to real life.”

“Parents drop their kids off for practice and stay to ski themselves. Some become volunteers at races and events, which keeps our programs moving.”

Galyardt also oversees the biathlon component of the club, now coached by Mike Hipsher. McCall’s most famous biathlete, Lyle Nelson, sets the standard for kids as a high-achieving Olympian. Galyardt notes that Lyle’s example shows kids what’s possible for an athlete growing up in McCall.
At one time, the biathlon program was centered at Little Ski Hill. In 2016, Cory Corbet, a collegiate biathlete, initiated the Bring Back Biathlon program. She worked with David Carey, who provided space and workers to create six shooting lanes at Jug Mountain Ranch. The current kids’ biathlon program includes 18 athletes.

Galyardt observes, “Safety is a huge priority. Biathlon makes for a fun way to learn about rifle safety.”
The club also sees economic benefits for McCall. Four races each year entice competitors from outside to our area. Every third year, a week-long Junior National Qualifier event brings in 250 athletes along with their coaches and families.

Finally, Galyardt notes the physical and mental health benefits to our community, especially during our long winters, and he’s not just referring to kids.

“Active youths become active adults.”

McCall Winter Sports Club
Here is the club that wins the prize for providing the greatest diversity of winter youth sports programs in McCall! Originally the McCall Ski Racing Team, the McCall Winter Sports Club (MWSC) now offers a variety of programs at several venues – Little Ski Hill, Brundage, and Tamarack – depending on the program, day of the week, and age group.

The Mighty Mites program is for alpine skiers 6 to 8 years of age, an all-mountain program with an emphasis on learning the fundamentals of the sport in a fun, safe, and friendly environment.
Ski and Snowboard Development programs – a.k.a. Devo – provide a range of instruction and skill-building for skiers and riders ages 8 to 14, starting with fundamentals and building to cover all aspects of skiing or riding, physical training, and on-snow technique and tactics.

The Alpine Race Teams experience a higher-level ski race training and competition curriculum. In addition, U10 to U16 racers have weekly gate training sessions and all-mountain free skiing with drills.
The Freeride/Freestyle Comp Team is for skiers 10 to 16 years of age who want to compete in big mountain, slopestyle, and/or park competitions. Athletes train everywhere on the mountain and practice technical development of line choice, style, balance, air, and fluidity.

The Backcountry Program opens up the world of backcountry skiing and riding in search of steeps, cliffs, chutes, and jumps. Athletes 12 years and older will be exposed to avalanche education, backcountry travel, route-finding, winter survival, and outdoor leadership.

Across these programs, the club’s focus is on “creating world-class kids through winter sports”. Last year, about 180 athletes enrolled in MWSC programs. Executive director Katy Jones relies on coaches and on parents, who volunteer 20 hours per season to keep the program going and to staff the four to six events hosted by MWSC annually.

Jones’s children have become better skiers through MWSC, which means her family can ski together on most any terrain. In addition, Jones points out that kids who travel together to races in the Northwest reap many rewards.

“They learn to compete in a supportive environment, ski with friends, and develop confidence on and off the snow.”

Additionally, athletes get involved in local events, partly to help with fundraisers like car washes and partly to perform volunteer work at events such as Brundage’s Music Festival and McCall’s tree lighting ceremony in early December. As with so many of our sports programs, the MWSC promotes fun in the great outdoors and also aims to provide character-building experiences for its athletes.

AWeSOMe
The Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall (AWeSOMe!) organization has a special mission: to empower people of all abilities through high quality outdoor experiences. Since 2002, when AWeSOMe! began as the vision of physical therapist Ingrid Burica and occupational therapist Kirsten Evenson, the organization has sought to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through sports and recreational activities. Adaptive ski programs continue to grow as the organization provides more opportunities at more venues, along with affordable prices, supportive program operations, and a fleet of up-to-date ski equipment.

AWeSOMe! works with local schools to recruit kids for their programs and welcomes athletes and families from other communities as well: New Meadows, Cascade, and Boise, among them. The program offers alpine (downhill) ski lessons using adaptive ski equipment as needed to achieve maximum independence and success. Snowboarding may also be an option for some students. The group also supports school-wide ski days, showing up to work with kids who benefit from adaptive programs.

Many families come to Tamarack and Brundage just to take part in AWeSOMe! programs that are great for kids who need an outlet other than traditional sports. Some of the participants learn to outski their parents, leading the proud adults to recognize their children’s untapped abilities.
Program director Chris Wernert notes that while AWeSOMe! focuses on supporting disabled students, but the benefits don’t stop there.

“Our students are out there doing what their peers do, which is great. But the non-disabled kids see what their friends can do, which empowers them as well.”

Ingrid Burica nods. “We are preparing kids to enter the fabric of society and for society to accept them.”

Some days it takes guts just to head outdoors. Over the decades, our community has provided a multitude of options to get kids out of the house, learn skills, expend energy, and spend time with their friends during winter months. Dedicated organizations in our area provide diverse winter activities: from figure skating to hockey, from alpine to Nordic skiing to biathlon, from snowboarding to backcountry to free riding, air, and style. These organizations go out of their way to reduce financial barriers for families, offering reduced fees, scholarships, and equipment rental programs.

While McCall winters are tough, McCall kids thrive. They are undaunted by the elements, willing to set aside screens, and have fun in our winter wonderland. The venues, the gear, the practices, and the competitions may vary, but at the heart of this youth winter sports culture lies a common thread: let’s have fun while building character in a challenging environment.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Payette Lakes Ski Club
Jennifer Dummar
jen@littleskihill.org

McCall Figure Skating Club
Courtney Snyder Bork
mfscidaho@gmail.com

McCall Youth Hockey Association
Ricki Drabek
info.myh@gmail.com

McCall Nordic & Biathlon Club
Matt Galyardt
galyardt@gmail.com

McCall Winter Sports Club
Katy Jones
mccallwintersportsclub@gmail.com

AWeSOMe!
Chris Wernert
chris@awesomemccall.org