Ski for Light | 50th Anniversary Gala
Presented by Ski for Light
$100 per person | $800 per table of eight
Includes choice of salmon, steak or vegetarian dinner.
Questions? Call (612) 239-0447
Celebrating 50 Years
For 50 years, Ski for Light has taught cross-country skiing to thousands of visually- and mobility-impaired persons. Olav Pederson brought the Norwegian concept to the United States, patterning it after Norway’s Ridderrennet, begun by Erling Stordahl. Today, Ski for Light is going strong, having established an international event, regionals, and warm-weather programming. The Norwegian community can take pride in giving Ski for Light its kickstart. Alongside the guides, skiers, and volunteers who came thereafter, they have created a program that serves as a strong, collaborative partnership.
It’s time to celebrate everyone’s efforts. Join the festivities for a delicious meal, friendship, music, and a multi-media presentation highlighting Ski for Light’s history and accomplishments.
“The name Ski for Light came from Erling Stordahl, founder of the Norwegian Ridderrenn. Erling was full of metaphors. Instead of focusing on blindness and the absence of light, he focused on the unknown and enlightenment. So, in looking at the Norwegian culture, he used or created a metaphor from Peer Gynt. In the legend, a Norwegian knight, the ‘ridder’ part of Ridderrenn, needed to escape some bad guys. He came to an abyss and, not having any idea of whether he could safely make it, leaped with faith and succeeded.
“Erling equated this with the human struggle and pushed the need for us to try things where success was doubtful and discover some previously unknown strength or ability within ourselves that helps us succeed. It is the metaphorical struggle from ignorance to enlightenment. So in cross-country skiing, blind folks are enabled to ski from the ignorance of not knowing anything about the limits of our abilities to the enlightenment of learning that we can succeed at much more than we had ever imagined.”
— Dr. Raymond "Bud" Keith, Ski for Light president, 1981-1988, 1994-1996
In 1975, the first American Ridderrenn took place in Colorado. It was called "Race for Light." When the second event took place, two blind skiers, Bud Keith and Oral Miller, felt the term "race" might fit into the Norwegian culture, but not the American. They insisted on something more appropriate, so it was switched to Ski for Light, keeping the idea of enlightening oneself regarding possibilities and deemphasizing the racing aspects. It still holds true today.