Gear & Equipment
Don't know what gear you need for Blizzard? Looking for a handy checklist to use each week? You've come to the right place! Print this page and use it each time you pack your gear.
Don't have something you need? Everything listed on this page is available at Hoigaard's, our affiliated shop. Their knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you get exactly what you need. Remember to show your Blizzard membership card to get your Blizzard member discount!
BLIZZARD MEMBERS MUST HAVE THEIR OWN SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT.
Weekly rentals at local snowsports areas are NOT available. Why?
Lines can be long and significantly impact our quality lesson time
Changing your gear all the time makes it hard to learn
We do not have staff available to assist members in the rental lines
Our staff is not legally able to sign the waiver required for minors to rent gear
So, we make it easy for you. Here are four ways to get gear inexpensively:
Purchase a season long rental from Hoigaard's. You'll receive the expert knowledge you expect, a perfect equipment fit for your child and quality equipment you can trust. All for the same price as renting about four times.
Check out a local gear swap, typically held in the fall for discounted, used equipment.
Check out Blizzard's online gear swap for used equipment exclusively from Blizzard members.
Purchase new equipment from Hoigaard's using your Blizzard Member discount.
General Information
Layer! Layer! Layer! Wear three or four layers up top including thermals. Fleece is your best friend; cotton is your worst enemy. Remember to put your name on everything! And finally, if you bring it you better be able to carry it. Hey, Mom & Dad aren't Sherpas and neither are Blizzard instructors. Of course we'll help out (especially the little ones), but if the bag is twice your size: Don't bring it!
Food
Bring healthy snacks and a good lunch, or money to purchase food at the area. $10-$15 is more than enough for lunch, so please don't send your little one with a $50 bill. Pack snacks for the bus in the morning, a mid-morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, and munchies for the bus ride home. Kids are growing and they'll eat all day. Better to eat healthy snacks than candy bars and french fries! We typically recommend packing a lunch double what you would send to school. They really will eat it all!
REMEMBER:
1. Put your name on everything!
2. If you can't carry it, don't bring it!
Clothing |  | Equipment |
Head
Hat
Helmet (required for Team Blizzard)
Goggles (required for Team Blizzard)
Face mask
Neck gator
Sunscreen
Hands
2 pr. tough, waterproof gloves/mittens (not fuzzy!)
Hand warmers
Glove guards for rope tows
Feet
2 pr. socks (ski/snowboard specific - no cotton!)
Regular socks and winter boots for the bus ride
Body
Long underwear top & bottom
Turtleneck
Fleece vest or pullover
Winter jacket (water resistant & warm)
Snow pants (water resistant & warm) | | Bags
Gear bag or backpack (for boots, gloves, goggles and lunch)
Ski/snowboard bag
Skiers
Skis & Bindings
Poles (Mites/SuperMites do not need poles)
Boots
Quick wax wipes
Lock
Snowboarders
Board & bindings
Boots
Leash (safety strap)
Stomp pad (keeps free foot on board)
Quick wax wipes
Lock
Wrist guards
Impact shorts or pants with knee and butt pads
Glove guards for rope tows
Groovy stickers
Handy-dandy self storing screwdriver
Team Blizzard
Helmet (required)
Helmet accessories (face shield, etc.)
Goggles (required)
Hand shields (skiers only)
Shin guards |