McCall Winter Sports Club's Mighty Mites/U8 Alpine Ski Program is an entry level program for skiers age 6, 7 and sometimes 8. We encourage all U8 newcomers to have spent some time in ski school lessons but this is not required.  The U8 program is an all-mountain program with a mixture of free skiing, brushes and drills. An emphasis is placed on learning the fundamentals of the sport in a fun, safe and friendly environment.  This is our MIGHTY MITES team!

Athletes have the option of skiing one or two weekend days at Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resort; as well as afterschool on Tuesday and Friday at Little Ski Hill.

Coaches will break the team up into smaller groups so that developmental training is paced per the individual skier.  The USSA Skills Quest (phase 2) training program is used as a guide for development.

Mighty Mites will have the opportunity to compete in 3-4 local races; including the Soda Pop Race Series Friday Nights at LSH.  It is not required that athletes compete in the races.  Coaches will help determine appropriate events to attend based on an individual athletes' progression.

Program begins with Holiday Camp December 26-27 and 30-31, 2024  at athlete's primary mountain (Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resort).

Athletes ski with team Saturdays &/or Sundays at Brundage or Tamarack Resort starting at 9:30am and ending in the afternoon dependent on training plan (usually 12:30pm).

U8 athletes are not required to compete in races, however we do believe that competition is good for "whole athlete" progression.  Athletes will have the option to participate in the Soda Pop Race Series and other local "friendly" races.

U8 athletes must be under 8 years old as of January 1st, 2025 and a minimum of 6 years old.  Note that 5-year-olds enrolled in Kindergarten may join with coaches' recommendation.

You will need a Season Pass for athlete's "primary" mountain.

All-mountain skis, poles, boots, and hard-sided helmet.

Able to carry, put on and take off equipment independently.

Load, unload and ride chair lift safely.

Ski with poles.

Is it required that my child be able to ride the chair lift on their own?

Yes. It is an entry requirement of the Mighty Mite program that an athlete can load, ride, and unload the chair independently. We cannot guarantee an adult will always be on the chair with your athlete. We review chairlift safety with athletes every morning before we head to the chair. Our protocol is the bar goes down as soon as we load the lift and does not get lifted until our feet are over the ramp. We teach the kids how to ask the lifty to slow the lift down and we can also ask lifties to put the bar down for the kids as they load. If you do not want your child riding without an adult you will need to ride with them.

Why are U8 training days only 3 hours long?

Coaches have found that 3-hours on the snow is the most productive; keeping progression, fun and safety in mind. Three-hour training sessions on weekend days and 2-hour sessions on weekdays enable a positive learning pace with favorable long-term results.  The US Ski Team has spent a lot of time and money into this training progression.

What can I work on with my child outside of team training?

At this stage, the best thing to do is take some laps with your child(ren) and let them have fun. They get a lot of coaching input during training. It’s a lot to think about. In skiing, like most sports, we are working towards unconscious competence, doing the right things without thinking. Athletes are thinking a lot during training as they are getting feedback, digesting, and applying it. They need time to turn the brain off and let it all come together. Fun laps are productive because skiing is fun!