Morgedal - where modern skiing was born
Did you know that the words "ski" and "slalom" are norwegian? "Ski" means a relatively thin, straight piece of wood (wooden rail), commonly used to make fences in older days, hence the word "skigard" = rail fence. The word "sla" means slope, and "låm" is a track in snow.Both sami and norwegians have been skiing for centuries. But Sondre Norheim from Morgedal in Telemark is known as the father of modern skiing. He invented the new, stiff ski binding and refined skiing techniques both for downhill, jumping and cross country. The house where Sondre was born was turned into a museum in 1949. While I lived in Haugesund (1985 - 1987) I often passed Morgedal on my way to or from Oslo or Trondheim, and each time I told myself that next time I would stop to see the museum. I never did, until the new Norwegian Ski Adventure Centre opened 1993. It is much more accessible, situated close to the main...










