What camera to get??

Canon. Better lenses for sports. The rest of it depends on your budget.

The digital rebel is decent if you're on a budget, but for a few dollars more you can get the EOS 20D which is dope.
For a whole lotta dollars more you can get a $7500 (body only) EOS 1DS mark II which will shoot sequences and everything.

Lenses are key. The standard among all the photogs is the 70-200 f2.8 which is one of the most versatile lenses for shooting sports. You'll also need a wide angle lens to make people look like they're going bigger than they really are, and a lens in between for portraits.

Then you'll need a flash, another flash, a wireless flash triggering system, a tripod, more batteries, more memory cards, more.... you get the picture.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=8&Submit.x=13&Submit.y=10&Submit=Go&shs=&ci=6222&ac=

well frist of all learn something about cameras before you talk about them(not trying to be mean just giving you a heads up) you are talking about getting a DSLR. canons and nikons are def. the way to go. whats your price range and also have you used a fully manual camera before? to get the most out of your DSRL its best to have a good foundation useing a regular slr. any way look at either the canon 20d or the nikon d70 both are solid cameras. if you want any other info PM me.

You don't really need all of that stuff, however, it goes without saying that it's all nice to have.

Here's my shortlist for taking pictures in the winter:
-Camera
-Batteries (I would suggest Lithium batteries as they aren't affected by the cold)
-Lenses (1 wide angle and 1 telephoto, or one zoom)
-Tripod
-Cable release
-Neutral density, Graduated, and color correcting filters
-Film (Fuji Velvia Slide film or regular print film)
-Light meter (if your camera doesn't have metering)
-Maybe a flash, but it's only partially useful when taking pictures in daylight (for fill flash)
-Zip lock bags (for condensation purposes... bad idea taking a cold lens into a warm house)

That's what's in my bag

Yeah that was meant as a joke about getting sucked into the photography thing and jonesing for every little gadget and piece of gear until your spending every dime on it.

I used to pack a lot of gear on shoots that I never used. Right now I can get by just fine with:
One body.
70-200 2.8
wide angle
A flash if it's not bluebird, and 2 flashes, slaves, and a tripod if it's a night shoot
.
As far as buying a film camera first? Don't. The instant feedback of a digital camera will accelerate your learning.

Long live film! ;)

I'm a die-hard film guy unfortunately. In a way, it's a good way to train your eye so that you're not just shooting pictures left and right and getting lucky with one shot, which I had a habit of doing with a digital. But I do see the merits of a digital cam and there are times I wish I had one to see what was produced.

As for photography being another expensive hobby? It sure takes away from the ski budget :p

If you're looking digital (DSLR) stick with Canon or Nikon. As to which brand to choose.......it's truly personal preference.....and a much, larger issue than we should even start here. I've only had experience with Canon and love them........

As to what gear to get......DSLR....the Digital Rebel XT isn't a bad camera for the money but as others have already stated the 20D is a great camera as well. I instead would steer you in another direction.......check out used Canon 1D cameras for their superior autofocus and weather sealing abilities (when used with their "L" series lenses, Canon 1 series cameras have phenemeonal weather sealing.

If you're not made of money don't go Digital......the cost of CF (compact flash cards, DSLR body, lenses, flashes, photo editing software, etc) will make you cry.....

instead check out a used Canon EOS 3 film camera. It offers all the performance of their 1 series cameras and are available for $300.00 without the power booster (ups the FPS advance of the camera to an impressive film shredding abilities and adds vertical shutter release).....and check out some third party lens from Sigma.....

The cost of an EOS 3 used with a fast telephoto zoom and wide angle would be under what the body of a 20d would run you......pick up ADOBE photoshop elements and have your local lab just brun your prints to cd...you can edit them later. These would be a great way to get into taking qaulity action shots.

Remember it's not just the gear..

Chris