The greatest ski filmmaker ever turned 80 this week. He’s been a part of the production of the production of over 750 films, with 64 of those being his own. The man is a legend in the ski world. His 65th film, “No Turning Back” will have a screening on Friday, October 24th at the State Theatre in Minneapolis.

My love for Warren Miller films began in college. A roommate of mine worked winters at a ski hill in southwest Wisconsin–it’s not the Rockies, I know, but it’s all we’ve got in the Midwest. Whenever a Warren Miller film was on one of the channels of our too-large cable package, it would be showing on our television. Monday night? Warren Miller. Saturday morning? Warren Miller. After bar? Warren Miller. The man’s films had quickly become a fixture of my routine.

When I was working with Nature Valley, a sponsor of the U.S. Ski Team and former sponsor of Warren Miller Entertainment, I attended the premiere of “Flow State” in Snowmass, Colo. It’s one thing to watch a Warren Miller film on some flatscreen television in a living room, but it is another thing entirely to watch the film on a big screen outdoors at the base of Snowmass, Mountain with snow-globe snow collecting on your jacket. Needless to say, my love for Warren Miller films grew. If I were the Grinch, my heart would have grown (at least) three sizes that day.

Next comes the fun part.

On Friday, October 24 Warren Miller’s latest film will be screened at Minneapolis’ State Theatre. Olympic gold medalist, and a feature athlete in the film, Seth Wescott will be in attendance. The good people at L.L. Bean are presenting the event to precede the opening of their Mall of America store next month. I’ve got four extra tickets. Want to join me? Email me at birchandflannel@gmail.com. You’ll be invited to the VIP pre-screening event at Rock Bottom Brewery with appetizers, drinks and a meet-and-greet with Seth Wescott. Cool, right? Let’s go.