SFL Gala Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Nearly 150 folks gathered at Norway House in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 12 for a festive evening to kick off celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Ski for Light. Guides, skiers and other friends of Ski for Light traveled from far and wide to join the festivities.

A full program of videos, music, reflections, and perspectives was emceed by Einar Bergh, who traveled from Stavanger, Norway to participate in the celebration. Einar was deeply involved in the early days of SFL and has continued to attend International Week as a guide over the years. We were welcomed by a video greeting from the new ambassador from Norway to the U.S., Anniken Huitfeldt.

The event venue, Norway House, is Minneapolis's hub of Norwegian activity. It was the perfect place to hold the gala. The event center's lobby was decorated by past SFL event t-shirts, hung in the windows. A ski rack contained pairs of wooden skis with 3-pin bindings. Walls were festooned with photos from SFL events.

The guests dined on delicious salad, salmon or steak and dessert.

Gala Chair Leslee Lane Hoyum summed up the evening this way: "I became lost in the magic of the gala. Not only did we have attendees from throughout the U.S. and Norway, but supporters from all of SFL's five decades. It was inspiring to hear what started as a near impossible concept will take us to Utah 50 years later. Thank you to all involved in SFL and especially the committee who worked diligently for a year to ensure the magic."