Toomey’s Trail Schweitzer Resort Names New Ski Run After Veteran Skiers Jim And Margaret Toomey
When Schweitzer Mountain Resort opened its ski hill 32 years ago, Jim and Margaret Toomey were first in line. Literally.
The couple drove up from Post Falls and managed to buy the first two tickets on opening day.
“I think everyone else was skiing free and they saw a couple of country bumpkins coming up and charged us,” snickered Jim Toomey.
The Toomeys, both 72 years old, became regulars on the slopes of Schweitzer after that first trip in 1963. They later moved to Sandpoint and still ski about four times a week, despite two hip replacements for Jim.
To honor the couple’s dedication to the sport and the resort, Schweitzer dedicated a new run in their honor Thursday. It’s named Toomey’s Trail.
“It’s embarrassing. I think there are other people more deserving,” said Jim, who appreciates the honor but hates the attention. “It is a great run, though.”
The steep chute that now bears the Toomeys’ name was always one of Jim’s favorite spots. The black-diamond run, a designation that signifies its difficulty, is located in the resort’s north bowl on the left side of the Great Divide.
Schweitzer workers cleared some of the trees and brush on the slope this summer to ready it as an official trail. The Toomeys cut the ribbon at the entrance to the slope Thursday afternoon, but weren’t quite ready for trip down it.
“After a few birthdays things aren’t as easy. It’s pretty steep for us,” said Margaret. “We will probably go down when no one is around and the snow is just right.”
The idea for naming the slope came from the Prime Timers Club. It’s a group of about 120 senior skiers that the Toomeys have been members of for years.
“We thought Jim deserved a little recognition,” said Dee Dreisbach, past president of the Prime Timers. “He’s been skiing here for years, bought the first two tickets and helped the man who designed and set one of the original chairlifts.”
Schweitzer spokesman Bill Mullane said it’s rare a new run is named, but he couldn’t think of a more deserving couple.
“Just the fact that they are still here and still skiing after all these years lends some distinction to them,” he said. “Jim would prefer the whole thing not even happen, though. He’s kind of shy about this stuff.”
Jim Toomey was actually a skiing pioneer. He was a member of a ski troop in the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division in World War II. Toomey says he didn’t get to ski that much, however. He was in charge of lugging heavy weapons around and spent most of his time on snowshoes, not skis.
The Toomeys, who have been married for 49 years, said they officially took up the sport 40 years ago making runs at Lookout Pass.
“We started and just never stopped,” said Margaret. “We still go every day we can. I’ve seen all of that mountain (Schweitzer) and then some. The only trouble now is our legs wear out.”