What equipment do I need?

Helmet (CSA certified): You should always wear a good and properly fitted helmet! Full face helmets are not required, but they are recommended.
Gloves: Gloves are a good way to protect your hands and keep them comfortable. Full-finger bike gloves are best. A good trick: contractor gloves at your local hardware store work great and cost ~$10.
Elbow, knee and shin pads: These are not required but are usually available for rent at the mountain. If they fit well, you won’t notice they are there; you’ll feel tough like RoboCop, and they’ll protect you from the dirt if you take a spill.
Mountain bike with front suspension: Good bikes are almost always available for rent at the mountain. The trails at the resorts probably involve more descending than the trails you might ride at home, and the bikes at resorts are specially designed for this.
Minimum V-brakes required
Adequate tread on tires
Goggles/Activity sunglasses
Backpack
Water bottle - in your backpack
Tools: inner tube, pump and tire irons