Mighty Mites U8 Alpine Ski Program | McCall Winter Sports Club

Coach Bob

Started with MWSC in 20

Hello everyone! I have a deep passion for skiing that I've been fortunate enough to share for the past 24 years as an Alpine Ski Coach.

Throughout my coaching journey, I've earned a Level 100 Alpine Ski Coach Certification and a Level 3 Alpine Official Certification, which reflect my commitment to the sport and to helping others grow in their skiing skills. One of the highlights of my coaching career has been working with the U8 Mighty Mites. Coaching these young athletes has truly been some of the most rewarding and joyful experiences in my life. Watching them develop their skills, develop a love for skiing, and grow in confidence is incredibly fulfilling.

I believe that skiing is not just a sport, but a way to connect with nature, challenge ourselves, and build lifelong friendships. I can’t wait to continue this journey and inspire more young skiers in our beautiful community! Whether it's on the slopes or in town, I'm always excited to share my passion for skiing with everyone.

Coach Chelsea

Started with MWSC in 20

Chelsea fell in love with skiing in the White Mountains of Arizona at a very young age. Later in childhood her family relocated to Oregon, and she developed a passion for alpine racing on Mt. Hood. She moved to Boise for college and spent as much time as possible at Bogus Basin where she taught ski school and participated in rec league racing.

She is mom to an MWSC racer, and she and her daughter feel fortunate to call McCall home.

Chelsea believes in a fun first approach. She strives to inspire young athletes to develop a passion for skiing while mastering fundamentals, and enjoys watching the growth in confidence, self-reliance, and bravery throughout the season.

Coach Gundy

Started with MWSC in 20
Originally from Whittier, CA, I moved to the Cascade/McCall area in 2000. My journey on the slopes began back in 1998, when I tried both skiing and snowboarding at Big Bear. Since then, my love for winter sports has only grown. Now based in Boise, I work as a heavy equipment operator and am thrilled to be entering my third season coaching with the U8 program.

A few fun facts about me: My favorite colors are green, blue, and black, and I’m a big fan of The Forerunner. When I’m not on the slopes, you might find me enjoying a slice of apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream

Coach Paige

Started with MWSC in 20

An Idaho native, Paige was born in Ketchum but grew up in Boise, where she began ski racing at Bogus Basin. Her passion for skiing eventually took her to Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, where she continued racing at the collegiate level. After multiple knee injuries, her competitive ski racing career came to a close, and she shifted her focus toward a career in dentistry.

Today, she is a Pediatric Dentist in Lewiston, Idaho, where she lives with her husband and their three children. When she’s not working, you can often find her and her family spending weekends at Tamarack, enjoying the mountains and time together. She also loves giving back by coaching young athletes, bringing her upbeat and energetic personality to the hill while sharing her love of sports and competition with the next generation.

Coach Tim

Started with MWSC in

I started skiing at 12 years old at a defunct ski area in N.E. Oregon and began instructing at that area and moved on to Bluewood where I taught and trained instructors from 82 to 87. In 87 I became the program director of B.A.R.T. racing where I held the helm until 2002 where I made the move to Brundage and taught in the ski school until 2013 when I began my journey at Tamarack.

My goal in my level of children is to instill the love of skiing, RULES OF THE MOUNTAIN, respect for others and to encourage the sport as a life long endeavor. Safety is of the foremost concern. I teach the three main goals of being a good skier, Pressure on the skis, edging and rotary skills all under the realm of BALANCE,. I mix it up in a FUN day so hopefully the kids never look at it as work. All of these skills are evident in some aspect of anyone's skiing.....it is my job to concentrate on what needs the most attention at that time.

See you on the mountain !!

Coach Chris

Started with MWSC in 2025

I am currently the Director of Golf at Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort, and I feel very fortunate to work in a place where I get to enjoy two of the things I love most—golf and skiing.

I grew up skiing and have been skiing for more than 50 years. I spent many years ski racing, including racing in college while attending Utah State University. Skiing has always been a big part of my life, so moving to Tamarack has been a dream come true.

Last winter was my first season living here, and I was lucky enough to join the MWSC team. I really enjoyed spending time on the mountain and, most importantly, getting to ski with and be around the kids. It was a great experience and reminded me of growing up as a kid.

I am looking forward to another fun winter season, spending more time on the mountain, and hopefully helping create some great memories along the way.

Now, we just need to pray for snow!

Coach Pete

Started with MWSC in 2024

My name is Pete Maniaci. I've lived in Idaho for 20 years, and in the City of Council the last 4 years. When I'm not coaching young athletes in the mountains, I own and operate The Window Source of Western Idaho. For the past 12 years I've also been working large events in winter sports, endurance events, and concerts.

My race and athletic background started with high school track and cross-country running. I started racing xc mountain bikes in 1997 and was rock and ice climbing during this time, climbing El Capitan in 2001. When I was a mass media intern, I had to dress up as a pig named Sweet Meat, the mascot for a major radio station.

Coach Matt

Started with MWSC in 2014

I am a 4th generation Montanan. Raised in the Missoula/Bitterroot Valley, I Moved to Idaho for a ski racing scholarship at the College of Idaho. After graduating with a B.S. in kinesiology and Minor in coaching and psychology, and falling in love with an Idaho girl, I got a coaching job with bbsef. After a season stint as the asst coach at CofI, I did random FIS coaching work around IMD and Northern, until I landed in McCall in 2009. I eventually helped the transition of MSRT to MWSC and was the program director of MWSC from 2014-2018. I spent 2019-2022 coaching the the FIS program at Mount Spokane Race Team and developing the Silver Mountain Alpine Race Team. After my wife graduated from physician assistant school we finally moved back to what we call home, McCall. Me and My wife and 2 daughters live in Donnelly, ID.

My favorite thing in life is sharing skiing with others. There is never a bad day...if I got skis on my feet!

Coach Dave

Started with MWSC in 2024

I’m Coach Dave, the U12/U10 North Series Head Coach at MWSC and Director of Retail and Rental Operations at Tamarack Resort. This is my 11th season coaching in the North Series, and I’m excited to share my passion for ski racing while helping young athletes build confidence, develop their skills, and discover a lifelong love for the sport.

I started skiing at age seven and have been involved in the ski industry since the early 1990s. My experience spans racing, coaching, instruction, retail, ski tuning and repair, and travel, giving me a broad perspective on the sport. My current certifications include L200 Coach, L3 Referee, L1 Timing and Calc, and Technical Delegate.

Outside of skiing, I’m a proud husband and father of three who loves spending time with my family on and off the slopes. I look forward to another great season of learning, growth, and fun with our MWSC athletes!

Coach River

Started with MWSC in 2025

Part-time coach for several years

I took my first turns at brundage around the time I could walk, and joined the race program at MWSC (then MSRT) when I was 5. I spent much of the next 10 years driving up and down 55 to train at Brundage and LSH on the weekends, or otherwise sitting in a van on I-84 on the way to races. I moved to part time coaching for the team after my last U16 year. Since graduating high school in Boise, I’ve coached sporadically for various team programs on my winter breaks. While most of my personal skiing in the last 7 years has been backcountry/free ride focused, I credit my time both racing and coaching with the competence and confidence I have on lines big and small. I’m excited to help athletes build their skillset, whether they plan on pursuing racing as far as it will take them, or moving their muscle memory towards other arenas of skiing. Having just graduated college, I’m bursting with stoke to get more days on snow again!

Coach Greta

Start with MWSC as a coach in 2024

I'm Coach Greta. I am an assistant coach for North Series, and it is my 3rd season doing so. I have been skiing since I was 3 and racing since I was 6, and it is my biggest passion. I learned how to ski at Tamarack, and I raced for McCall Winter Sports Club before I transferred to Tamarack Ski Team and then eventually to Bogus. I am a full-time student in Boise at an International Baccalaureate school, and I am graduating this year. I have two siblings who I love to spend time with, and I coach alongside my dad as we work together to build an amazing community and team.

I chose to coach because I love ski racing and I want to share the love of the sport. I like to bring the fun side of racing and be relatable to the athletes while offering advice that they can use in their skiing. My main goal is to not only be a good coach but also to inspire the love of the sport that I have. Last season, I worked for my L100 coaching licence, and I am now certified as an L100 coach. I want to be a positive person for the athletes who is not only there for the highs but also the lows. From making a playlist each season with songs that the athletes love to pushing them down the cat track, I want every athlete to feel confident in their skiing and not compare themselves to the results but to how the run felt. My goal is to inspire the athletes the same way that I have been inspired, but to make it 100 times more fun. I am looking forward to building a great community and having all of the athletes feel confident in their skiing!

Coach Bri

Coached with us in 2024-2025

Brianna’s passion for skiing, learning, and the outdoors has shaped her career. She began racing with the McCall Ski Racing Team (MSRT) and earned first overall at the Buddy Werner Championship. After three ACL reconstructions, she returned to competition for five years, racing at the FIS level and earning multiple podium finishes at Junior Olympics and races across the western U.S. and Canada. Her experience taught her the value of perseverance, mental fitness, and finding the confidence to push beyond setbacks.

Brianna has coached at the Sun Valley and Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundations and has enjoyed backcountry skiing globally, including in New Zealand, Iceland, Italy, and Austria. Outside skiing, she is a National Geographic Explorer and former global field engagement lead for the Allen Coral Atlas. Most recently, she co-led a marine capacity-building project along Kenya’s Swahili Coast, attended the International Coral Reef Symposium in New Zealand, and launched Mountain Mermaids with LifeOutdoors, connecting local youth and community members through watershed stewardship and training. Brianna is excited to return as U14/U16 head coach with the McCall Winter Sports Club, supporting athletes as they build confidence, resilience, mental fitness, and speed while growing as racers and teammates.

Coach Garrett

Started with MWSC in 2024

Garrett Haag is an accomplished ski coach with a focus on freeskiing and halfpipe. He has served as the Head U14 Freeskiing Coach and Assistant U18 Halfpipe Coach at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and was the Freeride Director for the Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation.

Garrett has guided four athletes to the U.S. Ski Team and boasts a USASA National Champion title along with three runner-up finishes. As a Level 100 IFSA and USASA Coach, he is dedicated to developing the next generation of skiing talent.

Coach Mark

Started with MWSC in 2022

After seeing one too many reflections in the icy Adirondack Mountains, Mark took a drive to McCall and never skied back. After several years of teaching lessons, tuning gear, and working in marketing at Brundage Mountain, he began a pursuit of guiding rock climbing with Idaho Mountain Guides in the warmer months. He continues to coach the McCall Winter Sports Club Backcountry Team, and guide for Payette Powder Guides when winter takes hold. If he's not skiing or climbing, he's practicing photography/videography with Payette Media Productions, playing music with friendly people, building something, or enjoying the company of family & friends. His favorite ski descents include the Middle Teton Glacier, Nick Peak, Monument Peak, Mt. Adams, Mt. Baker, and Tuckerman's Ravine.

Certifications:

SAS Pro 1 Avy

AIARE Rec 1, 2 & Rescue

WFR
AMGA SPI

Coach Savannah

Coach with MWSC since 2025

Savannah Owen is a local McCall music teacher who grew up skiing in Colorado. She was a member of the Vail ski team where she competed in big mountain, before joining the Gonzaga University ski club in college. After school, she moved to Zurich, Switzerland where she started exploring back country touring. She's now lived in McCall for six years, where she has taught ski school at Brundage Mountain and assisted with instructor training and development at the Little Ski Hill. She's excited to start her second winter with McCall Winter Sports Club coaching the backcountry team.

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