COEUR d’ALENE — The first time Jim Petersen went ice skating was in 1946.

“That was when it used to be very cold for a long time to completely freeze over Lake Coeur d'Alene,” he said.

Growing up, he would skate fast and furious as soon as the local lakes froze over.

“I was crazy about ice skating,” he said. “I used to be pretty good on skates, that’s for sure.”

Tuesday afternoon, the 80-year-old laced up his blades and gave it another go at Coeur d’Alene on Ice at McEuen Park.

His balance was not what it once was, but as he circled the rink while wearing a helmet and with the help of a walker, both balance and confidence returned.

“It was wonderful,” he said. “I really enjoyed it.”

So much he skated solo, staying close to the side boards, doing some ice dancing of sorts as he showed off for wife Dianna.

He even went backward, which he used to love, with the help of skate guard Ken Zaken.

“I’m going to turn you around and I’ll push you and you can skate backwards,” Zaken told him.

Petersen, feeling strong and courageous, perhaps to the dismay of Dianna looking on, went for it.

It felt exhilarating to spend 30 minutes gliding gracefully again. He didn't fall, either, of which he was glad because, as he noted, when you're old and you fall, it hurts.

“Nobody was skating backward over there except me at the time,” he said proudly.

Andrea Murray, owner with husband Jerome Murray of the ice rink that opened last week, was delighted to have Petersen as their guest.

“He did well,” she said. “I could tell it meant a lot to him.”

Murray said it was a lot of work setting up the ice rink.

“Now we’re to the part where the returns start to come in and that is the joy of seeing people enjoying it and connecting with other people,” she said.

Petersen, who served four years in the Marines, gave up ice skating when he focused on his banking career and moved to different states.

He tried ice skating on Fernan Lake about six years ago and was cruising along backward when he hit a chip and went down, hard, hitting his head.

He was stunned for a few minutes.

“I was able to get up,” Petersen said.

Petersen has long been dedicated to fitness, but gave up running at age 74 after tearing a meniscus in a knee.

These days, he walks often and watches what he eats.

“I stay in shape,” Petersen said.

Lately, with the chill in the air, he felt the ice calling for his return.

“I just want to show pictures to my classmates that I can still ice skate,” he said.

He can.

And he's not done.

Petersen wants to practice and get back to feeling at ease on ice.

He hopes others join him.

"I highly recommend the people, families and kids of CDA to go ice skating at this new ice rink," he said. "It is great fun for all."