14 Facts About Sondre Norheim

Sondre Norheim, born Sondre Auverson, was a Norwegian skier and pioneer of modern skiing.

Sondre Norheim is known as the father of Telemark skiing.

Sondre Norheim took to downhill skiing as a recreational activity, rising to local fame for his skills.

Sondre Norheim made important innovations in skiing technology by designing new equipment, such as different bindings and shorter skis with curved sides to facilitate turns.

Sondre Norheim designed the Telemark ski, which is the prototype of all those now produced.

Sondre Norheim was regarded by his contemporaries as a master of the art of skiing.

Sondre Norheim's reputation grew, and eventually made Norwegian words like ski and slalam known worldwide.

Sondre Norheim followed in the footsteps of many of his neighbors in Morgedal and emigrated from Norway to the United States.

Sondre Norheim continued to ski when he could, though the climate and flat topography of the Dakota prairie offered few opportunities for downhill skiing.

Sondre Norheim grew more religious with age and helped build a Lutheran church in Villard.

Sondre Norheim died in 1897 and was buried in Denbigh, McHenry County, North Dakota.

Sondre Norheim was honored during opening ceremonies at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California and at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

Sondre Norheim's grave was originally unmarked, but a memorial stone now marks its spot.

In 1984, Sondre Norheim was inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame as the first class of inductees.