The Mitey Mites are back.

Two hundred skiers, age 9-12, will compete in four different ski events in the
42nd annual Oregon 4-Way Championship Feb. 5-7 at Mt. Hood Skibowl in
Government Camp.

The Mites will compete in slalom, giant slalom, ski jumping and cross country
during the three-day competition.

“Traditionally, it’s always a big event,” said Bill Gunesch, director of Mt. Hood
Ski Education Foundation. “Each different ski discipline requires a different
energy level and skill set.”

Downhill racers will compete on cross country skis over a two-mile course
through the forest, testing their pace, stamina and endurance.
During an upcoming training session, many of the young racers will make
their first attempts at ski jumping.

In last year’s event the winning jumper cleared 60 feet, assuring an exciting
event to watch.

Skiers earn points for top finishes in each of the four events.
Winners will be named in each individual event and the boy and girl skier with
the highest combines individual points from each of the four events will earn
the coveted Skimeister trophies.

The local Mitey Mites will compete against teams from Mt. Hood Meadows,
Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, Cooper Spur Ski Area and Mount
Bachelor.

The Mt. Hood Race Team is comprised of 80 skiers.
Several MHRT current coaches competed in the Oregon 4-Way as kids,
including Amy (Schreder) Musgrave, Ryan Barnes, Mike Greenslade and
Shelley (Davis) Green. In some cases, the coaches are training their own
children, now second-generation competitors of the Oregon 4-Way
Championships.

The Mt. Hood Ski Education Foundation in Government Camp is home to the
Mt. Hood Race Team, the Mt. Hood Academy Ski Team (skiers 13-plus) and
the Mt. Hood Academy (a secondary school for competitive skiers).
The foundation has been providing winter sports and recreation for youth and
families since 1983.