About the Foundation

Mission

The purpose of the McCall Ski Heritage Foundation® is to preserve, protect and perpetuate local Alpine and Nordic Ski History and Culture of McCall, Idaho.

Overview

The thousands of visitors and locals who spend weekends alpine or cross-country skiing in McCall, a number that continually expands, reflects the significance of skiing, a way of life in McCall.  “Skiing has been, and continues to be, integral to McCall’s culture, economy and landscape,” said Bert Armstrong, one of the group’s founders.  “For generations, skiing has attracted families to McCall and provided unforgettable experiences.”

One main focus of the foundation is to create a ski museum.  “There are numerous museum possibilities,” said Bob Looper, President of Brundage Mountain Resort.  “We have generations of artifacts, pictures and memorabilia, but a museum could also be interactive and give entrants a sense of skiing the backcountry, ski jumping, or standing in the Olympic starting gate.” The Foundation is a 501(C)3 IRS charitable organization.

 

Meet the Directors

The Foundation Directors want to ensure everyone living in or visiting McCall has an opportunity to experience the rich ski heritage of our community. From Blackwell’s Ranch ski jump east of town in the 1920’s, to The Little Ski Hill founded in 1937, and Brundage Mountain which started in 1961, McCall’s ski heritage is worthy of public preservation and celebration.

Russ Moltke

Chairman
Co-Founder of the McCall Ski Heritage Foundation
  • Grew up in McCall, ID
  • McCall Mighty Mites ski racer
  • 20-year member of the National Ski Patrol
  • 25-year owner of Spa/Swimming Pool Manufacturer – Retired

Craig Johnson

Director
  • McCall Family heritage since 1909
  • Professional ski racer who began at Little Ski Hill & McCall Mighty Mites
  • Former MSRT Coach 
  • Owner/Broker of Johnson & Company Real Estate since 1980
  • Emeritus status for National Association of Realtors 

Bert Armstrong

Director
  • Born and raised in McCall, ID
  • McCall Mighty Mites member
  • MSRT member
  • University of Colorado ski team: Captain for 4 years
  • Retired

Dean Hovdey

Vice-chair
  • Grew up in Missoula, MT
  • McCall Smokejumper  1970 – 1979
  • Level 3 Certified PSIA instructor of Alpine, Cross Country and Telemark Skiing
  • Co-founder of Home Town Sports established in 1979

Bob Looper

Director
  • President & CEO of Brundage Mountain Resort
  • Vice President of the Ponderosa Center
  • Lives, works, & plays in McCall and the West Central Mountains
  • Past President of Idaho Ski Area Association

Jen Roark

Director
  • Family roots in McCall since 1910
  • Learned to ski at Brundage
  • Certified PSIA Alpine instructor
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Kelly McTigue

Director
  • Grew up in McCall
  • MSRT Member
  • University of Idaho Alpine Ski Team Member
  • Environmental Attorney for more than 30 years

Todd Armstrong

Treasurer
  • Born in McCall, ID
  • McCall Mighty Mites ski racer
  • CPA & Former Treasurer for MSRT
  • Healthcare Administrator

Patty Boydstun-Hovdey

Director
  • 5th generation Long Valley Resident
  • Grew up skiing at the Little Ski Hill & Brundage Mountain
  • 1970 US Slalom Champion
  • 1972 Olympian
  • Co-Founder of Home Town Sports McCall established in 1979

Lyle Nelson

Director
  • McCall Native & Skier
  • Four-time Olympic Biathlete
  • Retired healthcare professional
  • Member of McCall City Council

Lindsey Harris

Director
  • 4th generation Long Valley resident
  • Family owned business for 100+ years that is on the National Historical Registry
  • MSRT member
  • Executive Director, WCM Economical Development Council

Maggy Moltke

Secretary
  • Love of McCall Ski History
  • 40-year Elementary School Teacher – Retired

Eve Chandler

Director
  • Author of Brundage Mountain: Best Snow in Idaho and Building Bogus Basin
  • 2017 winner of the “Western Ski Heritage Prize” from the Far West Ski Association
  • Idaho native with a passion for skiing
  • Former Board Member of Bogus Basin Ski Resort Assoc.

Amy Holm

Director
  • Grew up in McCall
  • McCall Mighty Mites member
  • Junior Olympian
  • Attorney
  • Board President for the Payette Lakes Ski Club 

DIRECTOR YOUTH SKI PICTURES:

where their passion for skiing was born

Amy Holm

Brundage with her mother

Bert Armstrong

Little ski hill trophy with coach.

Bert Armstrong

Little Ski Hill off the B Jump

Craig Johnson

 Atop of Podium Brundage

Craig Johnson

GS race at the Little Ski Hill winter of 1960 age 9

Dean Hovdey

Coaching

Eve Chandler

Powder skiing Brundage

Lindsey Harris

Buddy Werner Race

Maggy Moltke

March 1963 at 8 years old in Solomon, Kansas

Patty Hovdey

Olympian in winter of 1972

Russ Moltke

Brundage opening day winter of 1961

Lyle Nelson

Olympics

Russ Moltke

Russ MoltkeGS racing at the Little Ski Hill in the winter of 1960 at 9 years old

Honorary Board Member

Judd Deboer (deceased)

Co-Founder, McCall Ski Heritage Foundation

  • Past Director of the Idaho Ski Area Association & Intermountain Ski Area Association
  • Former Chairman of the Board Brundage Mountain Co
  • 35 years in the ski industry
  • 2018 Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Recreation and Tourism