About Us
What is Blizzard?
Blizzard is a traveling ski and snowboard school for youth in Kindergarten through 12th grades. Since 1958, we've been teaching safety, fun and learning on the slopes. We don't just teach skiing and snowboarding; we create skiers and boarders who enjoy an active snowsports lifestyle with their entire family.
Blizzard visits different snowsports areas each weekend from Thanksgiving to March, offering a wide range of age-appropriate programs. Choose all-day supervision or plenty of time to free ski or ride with friends. Either way, members always progress at their own pace through our
color level system of skill-based instruction. When you have mastered a new skill, you pass to the next skill (color) level and meet new challenges.
Blizzard provides members with the opportunity to learn to ski and snowboard safely with proficiency and confidence. Members get to know other skiers and snowboarders their own age, form lasting friendships, and develop personal responsibility. Blizzard requires good conduct from its members.
History
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 Bill McGoldrich, and Blizzard clubs opened 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. 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).
PSIA/AASI
Blizzard is a Member School of the
Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the
American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). These organizations train and certify ski and snowboard instructors in the United States. As a Member School, we actively support PSIA/AASI and work with our staff to become certified instructors. Blizzard is recognized for high-quality instruction because of the professionalism of our trainers and instructors. Please contact us if you're interested in joining the staff.
Thank You
Blizzard has been run by just a small handful of people over the last 50 years. With our incredibly talented and dedicated instructors, our extended family has a long tradition of sharing our passion for snowsports and the mountain environment. Please explore our website and contact us if you have any questions.
Welcome to Blizzard. We look forward to seeing you on the slopes!