Norwegian historian Thor Gotaas recently visited Minot to explore the North Dakota chapter of Sondre Norheim’s life. Known as the father of modern skiing, Norheim left Norway in 1884, eventually settling in McHenry County. Gotaas, commissioned to write a book for Norheim’s 200th birthday, is no stranger to storytelling—his passion for history was sparked by family tales of resilience during World War II. With 51 books to his name, Gotaas remains dedicated to preserving Norwegian heritage, much like Norheim preserved the spirit of skiing.
For more on the author’s time in Minot, check out this story from
