Conditions Report
Trip Report
Summer is in full swing and temperatures across the country have been heating up which makes skiers and riders seeking out other activities to do. Some turn to mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, or any other sport to do while we wait for the snow to start falling again in the winter. There is one option that can help those trying to escape the heat which actually allows skiers and riders to hit the slopes again in the middle of summer.
Big SNOW American Dream is located in the Mega Mall known as American Dream located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and within eyesight of NYC. Big SNOW is actually one of several attractions that the mall features with others such as Nickelodeon Universe, Dream Works Water Park, Legoland, Sea Life, and is the only indoor ski resort in North America. The whole facility could be classified as a destination spot because you could make a whole weekend trip to check out everything this mall has to offer.
Many questions would definitely be in the mind of anyone thinking about trying an indoor ski park for the first time. The one thing that most could not imagine is having the opportunity to go skiing in August. The idea of packing up your skis and gear into your vehicle wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals is something that most of us have never done. Having the opportunity to go out there and be back on your skis and make some good turns is more than enough incentive for anyone to check out Big SNOW.
Quick Facts and History
- Big SNOW American Dream opened on December 5, 2019
- 4 acres of skiable terrain
- 3 trails (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
- 1 terrain park
- 4 lifts
- The longest trail is 1,000 feet
- Climate control is set to 28 degrees
Big SNOW has been around since 2019 and many skiers and riders in the Northeast have either skied there or have heard of it by now. Hugh Reynolds is part of the ownership team at Big SNOW American Dream and he has been there since the beginning. Over a telephone interview, he said since they have been open they have season year to year growth and typically Thanksgiving to around the end of March is their busiest season. This was surprising to him and he added, “Winter is really when we see first-time skiers and riders while summer is when we see more experienced skiers and riders.”
The snow conditions at BigSNOW are very consistent, and reliable and provide fantastic terrain for skiers and riders to enjoy in the climate-controlled facility. The snow-making team at Big SNOW does a terrific job and the snowpack is about two feet of snow with resort crews usually making a quarter inch of snow every night. “Big SNOW is very efficient using minimal electricity and water to run the facility,“ Reynolds said. Big SNOW is basically one huge refrigeration unit covering four acres that have 12 refrigeration units that run the whole resort. However, Reynolds said that because it is a refrigeration unit that maintains a constant temperature of 28 degrees, you’ll probably only have 2 refrigeration units running the facility at a time.
There is one main trail and one terrain park at BigSNOW, allowing skiers and riders to hit some features. The main trail is on the skier’s right and would be classified as a beginner slope, and is ideal to work on your form or practice some ski drills. The terrain park is one trail with a series of features for skiers or riders to hit on their way down the slope. The overall length of the trails is 1,000 feet and, while short in nature, it does provide the ability to hit more runs more frequently. Big SNOW does offer moguls on the last Friday of the month which is something new since they first opened.
Big SNOW offers a variety of packages for skiers or riders to choose from and are available in two hour block sessions. Pricing varies depending on the time you choose to visit the park, so ensure you look at the pricing before purchasing the tickets. Those prices include skis/boards, boots, poles, helmets, ski jackets, and ski pants and the staff at Big SNOW will even put your boots on themselves.
There are many different packages and passes that you can choose from and the snow pass is for people looking to hit the snow a lot. The initiation fee for a snow pass is $299.99 which includes the first month and $99.99 a month for the rest of the year. “It is almost like a gym membership that goes year around,” Reynolds said, and Big SNOW has no restrictions which means skiers and riders can enjoy hitting the slopes at any time, any day, all year around.
Climate change is a huge factor that affects everyone in the ski industry and Big SNOW is looking to the future. Reynolds said that there is no true replication of natural snow and he does not see indoor ski facilities replacing outdoor resorts anytime soon. However, the niche is there for people or teams to train in a controlled environment and there is room for growth in the industry. Reynolds would not make an official statement, but said, “We are looking to grow and we are almost ready to make a public announcement on a new venue before winter.”
This season Big SNOW received the Conversion Cup which was awarded by the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) on May 10th, 2023. The award goes to the ski area that demonstrates through quantitative results that they are turning beginner skiers and riders into repeat customers and, ultimately, lifelong enthusiasts of the sport. Douglas Marletta is the Snow Experience Blazer Manager at Big SNOW and has been there since they first opened on December 5, 2019.”Big SNOW is a great place for people who want to experience skiing or riding for the first time,” Marletta said.
Overall, BigSNOW is great for anyone who wants to check out an indoor ski park for the first time or continue to hone their skills throughout the whole year. It is great for first-time skiers or riders and a good opportunity for anyone who wants to hit the slopes in the middle of summer or whenever the weather conditions outside are not ideal. Big SNOW American Dream has a lot of options for everyone skier or rider regardless of their skill level and provides monthly events throughout the year.
Reynolds ended the conversation by saying something which we all can relate to during those long summer months while we are anxiously waiting for winter to return:
“I encourage everyone not to be skeptical, there is a lot of magic at Big SNOW, when it’s 80 degrees outside and you walk through the door and that cold air hits your face. It is a special place and puts a smile on your face.”
Check out Big SNOW’s website for more info:Â https://www.bigsnowamericandream.com
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