For 20 years, Vesterheim and local Sons of Norway Lodges have teamed up to offer Barneløpet, a non-competitive ski or walk event for the community’s youngest skiers, ages 3-13.
Each year, we hope for perfect weather conditions and this year we got them—plenty of snow and right between the polar vortex and the tropical warm-up. A great time was had by all.
Special thanks goes to Darlene Fossum-Martin, who has volunteer-led this event every year, coordinating logistics, communication, and free cookies from Sons of Norway members!
The event is free thanks to the sponsorship of Jon and Mary Hart of Decorah in memory of Kjell Arne Berntsen, and three Sons of Norway Lodges—Valdres #503 in Decorah, Iowa, Heimbygda #376 in Lanesboro, Minnesota, and Valheim #364 in Spring Grove, Minnesota.
Barneløpet, (pronounced BAR-nuh-lop-it) is Norwegian for “kids race” and Sons of Norway lodges all over the country sponsor Barneløpet events. It is modeled after the Barnebirke, a children’s cross-county ski race held each year as a part of the world-famous American Birkebeiner in Hayward, Wisconsin.
See you next year!
