Blizzard

MEMBERSHIP IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2019-2020 SEASON

SIGN UP FOR GRANITE PEAK CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE "MORE INFO" DROPDOWN

Blizzard is a 60 year old Skiing and Snowboarding School offering weekly trips to Wilmot. We provide lessons from rank beginners through expert level. No one can outski the talent we have on our instruction bench.  Board instruction includes Terrain Park and Slopeside.

Our Weekly trips are available to members from across Chicagoland. The annual Membership fee to join the Club pays for our administrative costs. Once you are a member, you can join our weekly trips. The weekly Trip Fee is a single payment for each trip covering the Lift ticket, Lesson, and Bus Trip. You only sign up for the weeks you want - the week of the trip (see Weekly Trip at the top of this page). Unfortunately, we do not allow guests, even if family members.

Provide your child with lunch money, and equipment rented ahead of time, and we will take care of the rest. Coach buses from various suburbs and multiple city locations whisk your child(ren) away for a full day of fun and learning in a lightly supervised environment.  As a not-for-profit, we encourage parents to get involved by being chaperones on our Saturday Trips.

We have children and even grandchildren of previous members who are now our members. With 12-14 weeks of snowsports, who wouldn't want to join Blizzard!

New memberships will be taken through the end of this week. With over 850 members we are THE club to help ensure a love of snowsports and help your child(ren) become confident and responsible members of our community. Our membership fee is nonrefundable, once paid, and the season started (it has.)

1. The weekly Blizzard Trip registration opens at 7 AM on Monday morning and closes at 5 PM on Thursday. There is limited availability after that time. Use the "Weekly Trip" link or scroll through this homepage for the sign up link.

2.  Our Originating Bus Stops leave at 7 AM on Saturday, and generally return between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM.  (for more specific pick up and drop off times see the Calendar and Bus Schedule page under the "More Info" tab at the top of this page.)

3.  Everybody gets a Blizzard tag on their first day of participation and we integrate with the Epic Pass Program from Vail.

4.  We love working with kids who have never-ever skied or boarded before and come from homes where snowsports is not part of the usual curriculum.

Tidbits for a Successful Saturday Trip

A. Label EVERYTHING. We have Blizzard stickers for skis, boots, poles, and boards.  For clothing we recommend:  mabelslabels.com  Select the Blizzard Ski Club and the Label Logo Pack.

B. Rent your equipment from a reputable Ski shop and let them show you how the equipment fits and how it works (the kids will be taught this by the instructors, as well.) We recommend Viking Ski & Sports on Fullerton, Ave. Viking Ski Shop . We no longer support rentals from Wilmot as an alternative.

C. Once they have their Blizzard Tag and Epic Pass, keep them in a zippered jacket pocket or in a ski/board boot between trips so they don't forget them for the next trip.

D.  Everyone has a love of snowsports who is on one of our buses. It is instant conversation for those a bit shy or reticent to be part of a larger group. We encourage students to meet new people and make new friends. Please help us support this concept.

E.  Hydration is important. Provide a water bottle or a few extra dollars and remind you child(ren) to have water available for the trip home.

F.  Relax and put your feet up knowing we are providing a great day for your kid(s) and some peace of mind for you!