Chris Bodily Memorial 4-Way Races is a long-time tradition in McCall that celebrates Coach Chris Bodily’s love of skiing, racing and competition shared with many alongside his “mischievous passion, infectious joy, wry wit, educated humility” and “gentle spirit.” Chris grew up in the McCall area, was an active alpine racer through his youth, and a coach to many young ski racers over the years.

Since the beginnings of Little Ski Hill, four-way competitions were what races were made of. In 1946, a 40-foot-tall ski jump was built with wooden scaffolding just 200 feet from Idaho state highway 55. Little Ski Hill was the training grounds for McCall’s 13 & younger Mitey Mites Ski Team; some of whom went on to compete at the Olympic level. In 1948, Corey Engen of McCall took third in ski jumping at the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Going off the jump was a rite of passage for local youth skiers who would first practice their jumping skills on a nearby smaller jump. “In the days before Brundage Mountain, that was how we got our downhill practice for getting used to speed on skis,” said Dave Engen, US Ski Team member 1965-66.

Today, The Little Ski Hill is not all that different. Still, it’s a special place for dawn-to-dusk winter recreation with lights and a T-bar. Cost of a lift ticket is just $20 for kids. Temperature of the local craft beer on tap is cold for the adults and the churros are hot for everyone at the Lodge.

For the 2023 event, there are four competitions. The Gelande Jump will take place beside the old jump at Little Ski Hill. Slalom and Giant Slalom will follow at Little Ski Hill and Brundage Mountain Resort respectively. The cross-country freestyle will round out the 78th annual races.

Each leg of the event counts equally towards the overall standings. The top female and male overall competitors will be awarded a 15-pound medallion and a few other things that would make Chris Bodily smile:-)