Schweitzer Prime Timers endure despite pandemic

SANDPOINT — The novel coronavirus pandemic may have put a damper on some of Schweitzer Prime Timers' social activities, but the group of skiers 50 years old and up is pressing on.

"It really is a very nice social group and a way to meet people," said JoAnn Rohyans, the group's membership assistant. "That's the way we met all of our friends."

The group has 70 active and associate members, some of whom are retired and some of whom are not, according to Rohyans. One of its oldest members is 94 years old.

"He still skis," Rohyans notes.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has put the Prime Timers' weekly meetings and its well-attended dinners on hold, it still provides an established social network for people, particularly if they are new to the area and don't know anyone.

"We're still encouraging people to join," Rohyans said.

Members can still reap other benefits of joining, including unrestricted seven-day season passes for the cost of a six-day season pass for skiers over the age of 65 if they are dues-paying members of Schweitzer Prime Timers by March 1.

"Tom Chasse's been really instrumental in helping the Prime Timers," said Prime Timer Mel Bailey, referring to the resort's CEO and president.

The cost to join Prime Timers is $35.

The group was founded in 1991 and had 20-25 members and has gone on to volunteer on the mountain for events such as Special Olympics and fundraising races by Jimmy Heuga, an Olympic downhill ski racer who was felled by MS in 2010.

"The main reason we were involved with it is the fact that it was a group that did a lot of good for the community," said Bailey.

Prime Timers have also served as guides for groups visiting from outside the area.

"We were mountain ambassadors before they had mountain ambassadors," added Prime Timer Marsha Bell.

Prior to the pandemic, the group would meet on Thursdays in January, February and March. They also began having get-togethers at restaurants around Bonner County to celebrate a member's birthday.

"It just kind of slowly evolved," said Bell.

The group would hold summertime dinners which would involve up to 130 members, in addition to fall and spring picnics. The group would also host speaker forums on medical matters and other issues.

The group's members would also bake cookies and distribute them to employees in every corner of the resort.

"This goes to every employee on the mountain. We are thanking them for the job they do," Bell said.

Prime Timers bring together a diverse group of people — astronauts, farmers, teachers and medical professionals — from California to Hawaii and Washington to Ohio. They can be identified by the green-and-white yarn tassels affixed to the backs of their helmets. They coalesce around a shared passion for downhill skiing, although don't expect a lot of chitchat when they exit a lift to make fresh tracks or carve up a finely groomed trail.

"That's our motto: You can talk in the summer," said Bell.

Info: schweitzerprimetimers.org