The History of Black Diamond Run: Sam’s Alley

Riding up Basin Express, Schweitzer reveals one of its many black diamond studded ridge lines. Kicking off the runs of advanced skier fun is Sam’s Alley named after Sam Wormington, AKA “Yodeling Sam”. 

Sam was born July of 1920 in Kimberley, BC.The love of skiing started young in Sam, by the age of 11 he and his friends were building ski jumps that sent them flying for as far as 160 feet. This is pretty impressive even by today’s standards. What kicks it up a notch is the fact that he did it on a pair of pine skies, with no edges, he made himself! It wasn’t until Sam was 16 that he had the $1 to pay a Norwegian man to put metal edges on his upgraded ash skies. With his new edges Sam was able to compete in slalom, downhill, cross country racing and jumping. In 1941 he took 1st place in the senior men’s slalom race held by the Kimberley Ski Club in B.C. 

As a boy Sam was quoted saying “When I grow up I want to ride horses and ski.” No wonder Sam found himself as the first general manager of Schweitzer and stayed for 14 years. Schweitzer was the second mountain Sam had a hand in the development of, the first being Northstar Mountain Village in Kimberley BC. In 1963 Sam and wife Elsa arrived at Schweitzer. With the road up the mountain already in place and the riblet chairlift in the beginning phases; Sam rolled up his sleeves and got to work on the plans for the lodge and parking. December 4, 1963 Schweitzer opened with free lessons for kids and full rental ski packages for $1 a day. 

Much like its namesake Sam’s alley is a run that begins aggressively and ends with a nice mellow cruise to the lodge. 

Kathy’s Yard Sale 

Hanging a left as you get off Stella, Kathy’s Yard Sale is a run that catches the eye of any avid skier. Who is Kathy and did she make it out of those trees okay? Thankfully Kathy Pelland was known in Sandpoint for her overwhelming generosity and her amazing charity yard sales, no epic ski accidents here. 

Kathy was a long-time team member of the Schweitzer marketing department. Her role was to promote Schweitzer at ski trade shows and the like; a role that was perfect for her! Those who knew Kathy could never resist the sweetness that just poured out of her. If she found a person in need, she and her merry band of friends aka “the rude girls” would rally together and come up with a fundraiser to help; thus Angels Over Sandpoint was started. 

When it came time to name the runs off the back side, Schweitzer held a contest to come up with names. Kathy was unfortunately no longer with us and her good friend Gail Fendley submitted that they should name one after her beloved friend. There was no question that this would be an amazing way for Schweitzer to show its respects to a lady that had given so much to the mountain and community. 

So the next time you find yourself whooping and hollering in the trees of Kathy’s Yard Sale know she is right there with you.