The story

Founder of the center and director of the center from 1970 – 1993. Read more about Erling Stordahl.

34 participants from the Nordic countries took part in the world's first ski course for the blind. Cross-country skier and Olympic champion Håkon Brusveen was the instructor for the course. 

The track-laying machine was manufactured at the Sebu brothers' workshop in Rogne, Øystre Slidre. It made double tracks so that the visually impaired person and their companion could walk side by side. Two horse-drawn harrows were mounted in front to work the snow. 

On April 12, 1964, King Olav V sent out the very first two participants in the Knight's Race. The Knight's Race later became part of the winter sports week "Knight's Week".

In connection with the Knights' Race, an international professional seminar was arranged, bringing together medical expertise from 11 countries. Director of Health Karl Evang served as the seminar's president. 

Lions Norway carried out its very first Red Feather campaign. The campaign resulted in a total of 8.1 million kroner (equivalent to approximately 80 million kroner in 2020), which went towards the construction of the Beitostølen Health Sports Center.   

Beitostølen Health Sports Center was opened on November 7, 1970 by the then Crown Prince Harald. Director of Health Karl Evang described BHSS as "the greatest medical innovation in Norway in 50 years."

Completion of the first staff housing, riding hall with auditorium, offices, academic library, student canteen, stadium with grass field for ball games and tartan-covered running track, establishment of a separate primary school department, development of roads and footpaths for increased accessibility to the surrounding area, roller skating rink for the visually impaired (a bold project that was shelved after a few years), asphalted wheelchair path within the center's area, tunnel under RV51 to make access to boating and leisure activities at Bamselitjern safer, and several earthworks for outdoor activities. 

In collaboration with the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, the study programme "Health Sports Pedagogy" was started. Almost 900 students have completed the study programme since 1973, which has changed its name several times over the years. The study programme is now called "Physical Activity and Disability" (FAF). Read more and the study programme.

Fuglemyrvegen (hiking and cycling path for walking, riding and rolling activities), the "student cabin" with space for accommodation for 10 internship students, a boathouse at Bamselitjern, a kindergarten building for educational services for, among others, employees' children, the "Paviljongen" with 8 user rooms, as well as a network of paths with recreational areas, a pier and a lavvo along the east bank of Bamselitjern.

Children's Knight Week, a winter sports week for children between 10 and 15 years old with various disabilities, was held for the first time at Beitostølen.

The Paralympics are being held in Lillehammer, - with professional expertise from Beitostølen Health Sports Center in key positions.

The ISAPA congress, with over 300 participants from all over the world, was held at Beitostølen.

A new sports hall measuring 20 x 40 m, including a climbing wall, and a swimming pool with a therapy pool and a 25-meter training pool, were put into use.

Expansion of the main building with 6 new user rooms and areas for meetings, an alpine slope with ski lifts, a new training room in areas freed up after the old swimming pool, the changing room and secretariat building by the sports field was converted into a "school room".

Lyskapellet was completed and consecrated by Bishop Rosemarie Køhn on October 31, 2000. Read more about Lyskapellet .

The assistive technology building with a lubrication room, garage, equipment storage and exhibition room for assistive technology was put into use.

Development of two new wings: "New building west" with kitchen and dining room, 16 user rooms and indoor parking. "Hab-/rehab-department" which houses offices, meeting and examination rooms. The school department was moved from the school room by the sports field and into the main building.

Beitostølen Health Sports Center receives formal approval as a research institution.

Expansion of the room wing with 6 new, well-equipped user rooms with ceiling lifts, changing tables and flush-dry toilets.

50 years after the first Lions Red Feather Campaign laid the foundation for the establishment of the Beitostølen Health Sports Center, the center was awarded a new Red Feather Campaign. Under the slogan "Little heroes. Big dreams," the Lions raised money to build a family home.

Beitostølen Health Sports Center turned 50 on November 7, 2020. As a result of the corona pandemic, the celebration was postponed and continued throughout 2021 and 2022.

• Watch the film "The world's first health sports center is created"

• See Prime Minister Erna Solberg's birthday greetings to the center

Beitostølen Helsesportsenter's own song, "Løva", was released in connection with the center's 50th anniversary. "Løva" is about finding the lion's strength within oneself and about "maxing out" one's own life and existence. Watch the music video;

• "LION" - original version

• "LION" - acoustic version 

Beitostølen Health Sports Center is starting up services aimed at children from 2 to 4 years old with families, - first as a project, and later as part of the regular services.

International symposium with 170 participants from 17 countries at Beitostølen. The unique lineup of speakers and the large international participation confirmed Beitostølen Health Sports Center's world-leading position in the field.

On June 14, 2023, a fire broke out on the roof of the family house, which was under construction. The fire spread to the adjacent wing with the kitchen, dining room and some user rooms. The damage to central parts of the building was not compatible with ordinary operations, and the center had to close for a month, before it was gradually reopened.

On March 16, 2024, HRH Crown Prince Haakon was able to cut the ribbon and open the family house with 12 family apartments and common areas, as well as the rebuilt part of the center that was damaged in a fire in June 2023. Watch the film "New Beitostølen Health Sports Center".

Beitostølen Helsesportsenter is a proud competence provider and contributor to the TV series "Team Pølsa", which follows six young people with various cognitive and physical disabilities on their way to completing a ski race during the World Championships in Trondheim. Filming of season 2 is ongoing in 2025 - 2026.