Blizzard Force was an elite snowtrooper formation of the Galactic Empire, a specialized unit within the Stormtrooper Corps trained for combat in frigid environments. It gained significant recognition as the primary ground assault force during the Battle of Hoth, where it attacked Echo Base under the leadership of Major General Maximilian Veers. The unit's emblem prominently featured an AT-AT, reflecting their frequent utilization of All Terrain Armored Transport walkers.
Blizzard Force was not originally part of Death Squadron's integrated surface-warfare forces. However, they were specifically requested by General Veers after the Rebel Alliance's main base was discovered on the ice planet of Hoth. They were not only the perfect troops for an assault on a target covered in snow, but they were also in a good position to help out, allowing the fleet to quickly pick them up before heading to Hoth.
For the Echo Base assault, the snowtroopers were integrated with armored units already under Veers' command, notably the elite Thundering Herd AT-AT squadron. The complete assault force consisted of at least nine AT-ATs (with Blizzard 1 in the lead), along with several HAVw A5 Juggernauts, AT-STs (with Blizzard Scout 1 leading), AT-ARs, and AT-PTs, a 74-Z speeder bike snow scout patrol, and the infantry contingent of Blizzard Force. It appears that some stormtroopers from the 501st Legion also participated in the battle, wearing snowtrooper armor; these may have accompanied Lord Darth Vader when he arrived at the base.
Blizzard Force, commanded by General Veers from the lead walker, Blizzard 1, successfully captured Echo Base, despite losing a number of walkers due to the terrain and enemy attacks. While the AT-ATs' heavy armor made them nearly invulnerable to laser fire, three vehicles from Colonel Starck's group were lost after falling into ice crevasses in the Kerane Valley. Additionally, Rogue Squadron, led by Luke Skywalker, attacked using snowspeeders, employing magnetic harpoons and tow cables to ensnare the walkers' legs, causing them to collapse. Four Imperial walkers, including Blizzard 2, were destroyed by Antilles' strafing runs while immobilized in this way, and the undamaged Blizzard 4 and another AT-AT were destroyed by Skywalker's concussion grenades from the ground. Derek Klivian eventually broke through the cockpit armor of Blizzard 1, inflicting severe injuries on Veers himself.
However, by this time, the Rebels' shield generator had been destroyed, and their defensive line had been breached. Reinforcements, personally led by Lord Vader, deployed from the orbiting Star Destroyers, and the snowtroopers advanced into the ice tunnels of Echo Base.
The Battle of Hoth represented a significant victory for the Empire, forcing the Rebel Alliance to flee their headquarters in disarray and partially avenging the defeat at Yavin. The 501st Legion's contribution to the battle was hailed as their crowning achievement. Despite achieving all Imperial objectives and suffering relatively few troop losses, one of the Empire's elite assault units sustained considerable casualties against a weaker, improvised defense. General Veers was seriously wounded, and the ice plains of Hoth were littered with the wreckage of destroyed AT-ATs.