Blizzard

What Blizzard does

Blizzard is a private, family-owned ski and snowboard school headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul metro) that has delivered snowsports instruction to children in grades K-12 and their parents for over 60 years. The school operates a traveling seasonal program (typically January through March) that bundles professional group instruction with round-trip bus transportation to eight partner ski areas (Afton Alps, Giants Ridge, Hyland Hills, Mount Kato, Powder Ridge, Trollhaugen, Welch Village, Wild Mountain) across 14+ pickup stops. Curriculum is delivered through a proprietary Color Level ability-classification system, supported by an online member portal (my.blizzardmn.com) and a mobile progressive web app. Ownership has been with Jeff and Jen Lewin for more than 20 years.

The business model is seasonal and membership-based. Revenue is generated from program registrations, private lessons, school break trips, and season passes; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, leaning on word-of-mouth referrals, social media (@blizzardmn), and recurring community activations (#blizzardinyourbackyard). Labor is overwhelmingly independent-contractor-based, with instructors paid $16–$30 per lesson scaled to PSIA-AASI certification level — a cost structure that minimizes fixed overhead but constrains scaling without continued instructor-certification investment. The company runs a Family Assistance Fund (approximately $90,000 disbursed to 150+ youth) and has built philanthropic partnerships with Laura Jeffrey Academy (120 students for the 2025-26 season) and Wilderness Inquiry; these partnerships function as community-engagement and brand-building vehicles rather than revenue channels.

Name

Blizzard

Legal name

Blizzard Ski & Snowboard School

Website

https://blizzardmn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Blizzard is a family-owned Minnesota ski and snowboard school serving K-12 children and parents via seasonal traveling programs with bus transportation to eight partner ski areas across the Twin Cities region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Ski and Snowboard Instruction

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Ski & Snowboard Schools (Instruction & Coaching) (THAAAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Winter Sports & Snow Training Schools (Ski, Snowboard, Ice Sports) (MPAKAJAI), Winter & Mountain Guides (Ski, Snowshoe, Avalanche, Ice Climbing) (THAAALAF)

Keywords

• Ski and snowboard instruction
• Youth snowsports programs
• Winter sports education
• Instructor certification training
• Seasonal sports membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Golden Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Program Membership Fees: Season-long program membership for children in grades K-12 including weekly ski/snowboard instruction, transportation via bus to ski areas, lift tickets, and access to all Blizzard programs. Pricing varies by program (Classic, Team Blizzard, Apprentice Instructor, Teen Sampler, etc.) and includes ski or snowboard options.
2. Weekly Trip Fees: Fees for weekly Saturday and Sunday trips to Minnesota ski areas including Afton Alps, Wild Mountain, Trollhaugen, Powder Ridge, Giants Ridge, and others. Trips include transportation, lift ticket, and instruction.
3. Season Pass: Season passes for the full Blizzard program providing access to all weekly trips throughout the winter season.
4. Private Lessons: Individual ski and snowboard instruction available for additional fees.
5. School's Out Trips: Holiday and school break bonus trips to ski areas, including Presidents' Day trips.
6. Instructor/Chaperone Staffing Services: Blizzard provides trained instructors to ski areas and schools. Instructors are paid $16-$30 per lesson based on PSIA-AASI certification level. Chaperones are volunteers who receive benefits like free lift tickets and discounts on their children's programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Blizzard is a traveling ski and snowboard school providing weekly winter instruction for children in grades K-12 and their parents across the Minneapolis-St. Paul Twin Cities metro area. Programs bundle professional PSIA-AASI aligned instruction, round-trip bus transportation from 14+ metro-area pickup locations, and lift tickets at eight rotating Minnesota ski areas (Afton Alps, Giants Ridge, Hyland Hills, Mount Kato, Powder Ridge, Trollhaugen, Welch Village, Wild Mountain).

Product overview

Blizzard Ski & Snowboard School is a single, unified service offering providing expert skiing and snowboarding instruction for children in grades K-12 and adults. The core product consists of structured weekly programs (Mites through Classic, Team Blizzard, Teen Sampler, and Apprentice Instructor) that combine professional instruction with bus transportation to ski areas, lift tickets, and optional equipment rentals. Additional offerings include Private Lessons, the Parent Breakthrough Program, Season Pass memberships, ProTrack Instructor Development, and special events like School's Out Trips and the Spring Bonus Trip to Giants Ridge. The Family Assistance Fund provides financial support for youth participation, supported by donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Blizzard Ski & Snowboard School Programs Grade-tiered weekly ski and snowboard instruction for children in grades K-12 and adults, ranging from beginner to expert levels. Includes Mites (K-1), SuperMites (2-3), SuperKyds (4-5), SuperMightyKyds (2-4), Classic (5-12), Team Blizzard (5-12), Teen Sampler (7-12), Apprentice Instructor (9-12), and Parent Breakthrough Program.
• Weekly Bus Trips Round-trip bus transportation for members from 14+ Twin Cities metro bus stops to eight rotating Minnesota ski areas (Afton Alps, Giants Ridge, Hyland Hills, Mount Kato, Powder Ridge, Trollhaugen, Welch Village, Wild Mountain), bundled with lift tickets and optional equipment rental/beginner lessons.
• Private Lessons One-on-one or small-group personalized ski and snowboarding instruction for individuals seeking additional focus beyond group programs.
• Season Pass Season-long membership providing access to all Blizzard programs and weekly trips throughout the winter season.
• ProTrack Instructor Development Professional development and training program for current and aspiring ski and snowboard instructors, including PSIA-AASI certification support (Blizzard pays for exams when instructors pass) and team-teaching opportunities with experienced lead instructors.
• School's Out Trips Special full-day ski and snowboard trips offered during school holidays such as Presidents' Day at Minnesota ski areas.
• Spring Bonus Trip Annual end-of-season trip to Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN, limited to 100 members, featuring luxury motor coach transportation and a full day of free skiing/riding.
• Family Assistance Fund Financial assistance program that has awarded nearly $90,000 to help over 150 Minnesota youth participate in Blizzard's skiing and snowboarding programs. Fiscal sponsorship is provided by the Minnesota Ski Areas Association Educational Foundation (501(c)(3)).
• Family Fun Day End-of-season community celebration featuring Olympic-style Color Games, costume contests, dual slalom racing, synchronized skiing showcase, curling, speed skating, biathlon, terrain park showcase, and NASTAR racing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 youth helped through Family Assistance Fund with nearly $90,000 awarded
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Laura Jeffrey AcademyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Blizzard's first-ever Spotlight Project partnership with Laura Jeffrey Academy, providing the entire school (120 students in grades 5-8) with free skiing/snowboarding experiences at Afton Alps on January 13, 20 & 27, 2026. Most students are urban and low-income youth experiencing snowsports for the first time. Partnership includes lift tickets, rentals, lessons, lunches, chaperones, outerwear, and on-hill guides.
• Wilderness InquirycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Non-profit partner providing outerwear and outdoor education for the Laura Jeffrey Academy Spotlight Project, helping make skiing accessible to urban and low-income youth.
• Minnesota Ski Areas Association (MNSAA) Educational FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMNSAA-EF serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Blizzard Family Assistance Fund, providing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status that makes donations tax-deductible and connects Blizzard with the larger Minnesota snowsports community.
• Tonka Cycles & SkisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal ski and bike retailer partnership for community events including the Hopkins Raspberry Festival Scavenger Hunt and Marketplace Fair. Blizzard and Tonka co-host booths and provide clues for scavenger hunts.
• MN CoachesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBus transportation provider offering discounted rates for Blizzard trips to ski areas, enabling affordable access to skiing programs.
• Afton AlpscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary ski area partner for weekly Blizzard trips and the Laura Jeffrey Academy Spotlight Project. Afton Alps provides terrain, lift infrastructure, and lessons for Blizzard members.
• Wild Mountain, Trollhaugen, Powder Ridge, Giants Ridge, Hyland Hills, Mount Kato, Welch VillagecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeven additional Minnesota ski area partners providing terrain and lift access for Blizzard's rotating weekly trip schedule across the winter season.
• Edina Give and GominorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit organization that funds grants for Edina Public Schools students for arts, academics, and athletics. Blizzard sponsors Edina Give and Go Gear Swap events and several Blizzard members have benefited from the program.
• Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) / American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational certification organizations for ski and snowboard instructors. Blizzard's instructors are encouraged to pursue PSIA-AASI certification, and Blizzard pays for exams when instructors pass. Blizzard's training programs align with PSIA-AASI standards.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard School: Minnesota-based ski and snowboard school serving youth and families in the Twin Cities market. Operates instruction at a single local ski area, comparable in target audience (K-12 beginners through racers) and regional positioning to Blizzard.
• Welch Village Snowsports School: Ski and snowboard school at Welch Village, one of Blizzard's 8 partner ski areas. Offers group and private lessons for kids and adults in the same Minnesota market, making it a direct competitor for the same family demographic.
• Wild Mountain Snowsports Academy: Snowsports school at Wild Mountain in Minnesota, another Blizzard partner resort. Provides youth and adult ski/snowboard instruction, directly competing for the same Twin Cities beginner-to-intermediate family segment.
• Afton Alps Ski & Snowboard School: Largest ski area in the Midwest and Blizzard's primary partner, with its own on-site ski and snowboard school. Competes for the same families and is both a channel partner and a competitor depending on the season.
• Hyland Hills Ski School: Three Rivers Parks-operated ski school in Bloomington, MN. A Blizzard partner resort that also runs its own youth and adult instruction, serving an overlapping Twin Cities family base.

Regional players

• Mount Kato Ski School: Southern Minnesota ski area with its own ski and snowboard school. A Blizzard trip partner that also draws regional families independently, partially overlapping in geography and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America): National governing body for ski and snowboard instruction in the U.S. Blizzard's training and certification framework is built on PSIA-AASI standards, and the org shapes the talent pool and curriculum that any U.S. ski school operates within.
• U.S. Ski and Snowboard: National governing body for competitive skiing and snowboarding in the U.S. Relevant to Blizzard's racing programs (Team Blizzard) and the broader pipeline from youth instruction to competitive participation.

Emerging players

• SOS Outreach: National nonprofit using snowsports as a vehicle for positive youth development. Operates youth ski programs at resorts across multiple states, directly comparable in mission and youth-access focus to Blizzard's Laura Jeffrey Academy and Family Assistance Fund initiatives.

Others

• Wilderness Inquiry: Minneapolis-based outdoor education nonprofit that provides gear and outdoor programming for underserved youth. Listed as a partner in Blizzard's Laura Jeffrey Academy Spotlight Project and shares Blizzard's community-access mission for Twin Cities youth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/blizzardmn
• Xx.com/blizzardmn
• Facebookfacebook.com/blizzardmn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blizzard-ski-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blizzard