Vesterheim and local Sons of Norway Lodges teamed up again this year to offer the 24th annual Barneløpet, a non-competitive ski or walk event for the community’s youngest skiers, ages 3-13.

It was a beautiful day and so fun to see these young skiers out enjoying the winter!

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who make this event possible. 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 generous support 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!