Blizzard Snow & Ski School

50th Anniversary

A Brief History of Blizzard
Blizzard was started in 1958 by Bob and LouAnn Carruthers as the official ski school of Dayton's department store, a Twin Cities icon that is now part of Macy's. The program was franchised in the 1960's with Blizzard clubs opening in Milwaukee, Detroit, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Some of these schools are still operating as Blizzard or under other names.

An avid pilot, Bob died tragically in 1965 after suffering a heart attack while flying solo. A group of six Blizzard instructors (Walt Rasula, Bill Horgan, Jerry Barfus, Jim Anderson, Bob Blix and Jim Sugimura) purchased the school from LouAnn in 1966. Bill McGoldrick acquired and ran the franchises outside of Minnesota. After a short period of ownership by a group of investors, Bill Horgan took the helm again and ran Blizzard through the 1970's. In 1987, Blizzard took over the Hoigaard's Ski Club and cemented our long-standing relationship with one of the area's premier ski and snowboard shops (more about Hoigaard's).

Handing the program over to another former owner, Bill Horgan sold Blizzard to Walt and Mary Rasula in 1985. Walt sold Blizzard in 1992 to his son and daughter-in-law, Jay & Linda Rasula. Jeff Lewin started skiing in Blizzard when he was about 10 years old. He and his wife, Jennifer, purchased Blizzard in 2004 (meet the directors).

Blizzard Trivia
Here are some trivia Q&A from our 50th Season!

What department store helped Blizzard get started back in 1958? Dayton's!

What's the newest Blizzard bus stop? Delano!

Families that have been part of Blizzard for three generations: Blix, Headrick, Jensen (Blazina), McGoldrick (Robiner) and Rasula!

Which country is credited with inventing skiing? Norway!

What are the Blizzard color levels, in order? Rookie/Green, Yellow, Blue, Red, Brown, White, Low Black (skiers), Black, Top Black (skiers), and Rainbow!

Who started Blizzard? Bob and LouAnne Carruthers!

Blizzard used to split up on Saturdays instead of visiting the same area together. How many separate clubs were there? Three or five, depending on who you ask and how you look at it!

Blizzard instructors didn't always wear green jackets. What were three other main colors we wore? Gold, Red and Blue!

What did Blizzard members traditionally do on Fun Day, the last regular trip of the season? Dress up in costumes! We also used to create crazy hats or hunt for a Blizzard medallion.

We Want More!
We're always looking for more information about the history of Blizzard! To help us, please submit a feedback form or email or call the office with the following information:

Anyone who passed into Top Black, Silver or Gold as a skier

Anyone who passed into Black as a snowboarder

Apprentice Instructors who passed their Rainbow Exam

Fun stories about your years in Blizzard

Thanks!

Apprentice Instructors who passed the Rainbow Exam	Skiers who made it to Top Black, Gold or Silver	Snowboarders who made it to Black
1960's 1970's 1980's Lewin , Jeff Rasula , Jay Shamblott, Kate 1990's Gullickson, Merris 2000's Boerhave , Grant Cronje , Wynn Fahrenholtz , Rachel Fast , Charles Goodman , David Gullickson, Geoff Jondahl , Nikki McCarthy , Kate Pearce , Katie Quinn , Chloe Rocheford , Sean VanStraaten , John Werts , Tim Wilder , Sam	1960's McGoldrick, Mary McGoldrick, Cathy 1970's Rasula , Jay 1980's Aasen, Denise Fairhurst, Charles Johnson, Jonell Lewin , Jeff Parcheta, Dan Purdie, John Shamblott, Kate 1990's Gullickson, Geoff Gullickson, Merris 2000's Bork , Hailey Dahl , Clare Dyste , Laura Dyste , Nels Fahrenholtz , Rachel Fornell , Ben Gehrke , Kaitlyn Gove , Jenna Guest , Elizabeth Hanske , Andrew Hanske , James Hanson , Ben Jensen , Laura Jondahl , Andy Jondahl , Nikki Maahs , Willie McCarthy , Kate Meeker , Johnny Prok , Amy Robiner , Eli Sayre , David Simpson , Lauren Skallerud , Katie Sutherland , Cameron Tripp , Becca Werts , Tim Wilder , Sam	1970's 1980's 1990's Johnson , Andrew Newtson , Robbie 2000's Andres , Steven Bethune , Andrew Fahrenholtz , Cale Fisher , Dave Green , Mark Nancekivell , Eric Nancekivell , Ian O'Neill , Paul Quinn , Chloe Reuvers , Tony Snowberg , Colin Webber , Charly Young , Collin