The Origins of Ski For Light: A Matter of Trust and Fate

Editor's Note: In honor of SFL's 50th anniversary, following below is an article that describes how Ski for Light came into existence back in 1975. It was written in 1995 by Olav Pedersen, the father of SFL, and describes how he became aware of the idea of teaching blind people how to cross-country ski, and how he brought the idea from his native Norway to the United States. You can learn more of the history of SFL in a forthcoming book that Laura Oftedahl and other SFL members have been diligently compiling.

Certain experiences in life, which first seem to have little significance, may later turn out to be a sign of things about to happen to you. And when people ask me, "How did you get involved with Ski for Light?," I tell how one such experience transformed my life. It goes like this: A young, blind musician and entertainer, Erling Stordahl and his two companions, also blind, came to my hometown, Voss, Norway, to give a concert. It was October 1952. I was working at the railway station and when the three arrived on the train that morning, I assisted them to their hotel nearby. As I was about to leave them, I said, "Good Luck." Then Erling said, "By the way, would you be able to be our M.C. tonight?" I hesitated for a moment and then answered, "I'll try, Erling."

That night the three men turned my outlook on life almost upside down. The concert hall had never seen an audience more jubilant and appreciative; the applause wouldn't stop. And later that night in an interview, Erling told me his life's story. Since I also worked as a free-lance journalist at that time, the article I wrote about this young blind man was printed in several national newspapers.

Today - more than forty years later - I wish I had saved that article, because I know that was what got me involved in Ski for Light. It bonded me to Erling in a manner which I personally explain as an act of God; it was part of my destiny, my fate. I became even more convinced of that when in 1955, Erling again came to Voss, only this time on my invitation to entertain at the Norwegian Skiing Championships. As the chairman of the event, I was also host of H. M. King Olav V.

One afternoon Erling asked me to meet with him in his room. It happened to be my 38th birthday. He made me curious about what he had in mind. He said, "Olav, what I am telling you now nobody else has ever heard, not even Anna. I have had this idea for some time that I will give up what I am doing now and try to start a program to teach cross-country skiing to blind people."

Was I surprised to hear what he said to me? Yes, of course. Was he really serious? And why was he revealing this to me? But when he added, "I'll tell you, because I trust you," I knew he wanted an honest reaction to his idea, which he knew many people would find pretty crazy. However skepticism could not stop him. His vision found understanding and support from the public, the media, members of the government and last - but not least - from King Olav and the Royal Family.

We all know the results of his groundbreaking efforts: The Ridderrenn and Beitost?len Healthsport Center, an institution for development of equal opportunities for disabled and able-bodied people.

In September, 1973 I traveled to Norway to seek Erling's advice and help to try to export the concept to the U.S. As I explained my plan to him, I found that his trust in me was as strong as ever. He was glad to hear what I told him, and we reminisced about our conversation in 1955. We talked in some detail about how we could coordinate our efforts and laughingly he said: "We have to get the King with us."

With a strong handshake, I said good-bye knowing that having gotten his blessing of my plan, the next step would be to find interested people back home. Luckily my friends in the Summit Lions Club were ready. A committee was formed and a year of regular planning meetings were conducted. We heard that some newspapers in Norway enthusiastically had endorsed the idea of an American Ridderrenn, and private persons wrote to us and encouraged us to go ahead.

Soon our plans had settled on February, 1975 as the date for the first event, to be held in Summit County. But during the last few months of preparations it looked like economic shortfalls might threaten the final lap to our goal. And here is where the Sons of Norway Foundation came to the rescue. On February 17 (my birthday), we welcomed 40 blind Norwegian skiers and their guides to our very first Race for Light. Erling Stordahl and his wife, Anna, were among them. Also from Norway came some expert help from the National Guard to do the technical part of the event. Twenty American and Canadian blind people got their first experience in cross-country skiing. Some of them we will most likely see at this 20th anniversary. We also know that Erling had planned to be here, but cancer didn't give him the opportunity to once more show us that "If I can do this, I can do anything." How we are missing you, Erling, and thanking you for helping us to sow the seed in the United States.

After that first event in 1975 the torch was passed to Bjarne Eikevik and the Sons of Norway. Race for Light became Ski for Light to emphasize the recreational nature of the program. A non-profit corporation was formed, and blind participants got involved in shaping the future direction of the program. In the years that followed, Ski for Light was nurtured by countless individuals and groups, and took root in the United States as a program that makes a real difference in the lives of its guides and participants. Erling, Olav and Bjarne are all gone now, but their work and inspiration lives on in the Ski for Light of today.