BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Greek International Ski Race, known affectionately as the GRIN, is returning to Sun Valley after a 30-year absence.
It’s reborn with a contemporary twist and rebranded See & Ski. And it’s proudly sponsored by the National Hellenic Society, a nonprofit organization that celebrates and preserves Hellenic heritage, culture and values.
The celebration will take place from Thursday through Sunday, April 3-6, as a weekend of camaraderie, cultural immersion and skiing.
Greeks and philhellenes alike who share a love for skiing and Greek culture, will offer a couple of programs open to the public.
…The FREESTYLE SKI LEGENDS panel featuring such legendary freestyle skiers as Wayne Wong will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, at The Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum. You’ll want to get there by 7, as highlight reels of ski movies from the 1970s will be shown to set the stage.
Freestyle legends who were revolutionizing skiing in the 1970s will talk about the early days and the future, as well as their experiences, challenges and triumphs.
Panelists include Bruce Bolesky, who competed in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics; Deno Dudunake, 1977 World Mogul Champion, and John Eaves, three-time Freestyle Skier of the Year best known for his high-speed caper on skis through the Cortina Olympic bobsled track in the 1981 James Bond classic “For Your Eyes Only.”
Also, Joannie Teorey Termolen, two-time Women’s World Trophy Aerial Champion and stunt skier in the TV show “Charlie’s Angels,” and Wayne Wong, considered one of the most influential skiers of the 20th century.
Tickets are $25, available at https://www.theargyros.org/. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Higher Ground therapeutic recreation ski program.
…A screening of “CLIFFS OF FREEDOM” will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Sun Valley Opera House.
The captivating 2019 film tells the moving story of a romance between a Turkish soldier and a beautiful Greek village woman during the tumultuous Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821.
It explores the themes of love, loyalty and sacrifice and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity as the young woman becomes a local symbol of the Greek resistance movement facing off against the man who loves her and wants to keep her safe.
The cast includes Patti LuPone and Christopher Plummer.
The film is being screened in cooperation with the Sun Valley Film Festival. Tickets are $20, available at the door or available at https://sunvalleyfilmfestival.org/.
The public is also invited to join the Philhellenes as they ski Sun Valley.