Industry News
Big SNOW Ski Lift Malfunction: Timeline of Events
A Big SNOW ski lift malfunction stranded 25 skiers for 30 minutes on May 8 at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, N.J. All guests were unloaded from the lift at North America’s only indoor, year-round ski and snowboard facility using the backup motor system. No evacuation by emergency services was required, and no injuries were reported, the resort has informed SnowBrains.
American Dream spokeswoman Brianna Cortez confirmed the malfunction in a May 9 statement to NorthJersey.com.
“All guests were safely unloaded using the lift’s backup motor system, and at no point were any guests in danger. The issue was repaired within the hour, and all affected guests were provided with complimentary return vouchers for their loss of time.”
– Brianna Cortez, American Dream spokeswoman
A guest independently called the East Rutherford Fire Department during the stoppage. By the time firefighters arrived on scene, the lift had already resumed operation, and all guests had been unloaded, according to Big SNOW.
Backup Motor System Credited With Safe Evacuation
In a follow-up statement today, Cortez told SnowBrains:
“We can confirm that the lift at Big SNOW was temporarily paused for approximately 30 minutes on Friday, May 8, due to a mechanical issue. All guests were safely unloaded using the lift’s backup motor system, and at no point were any guests in danger. The issue was repaired within the hour, and all affected guests were provided with complimentary return vouchers for their loss of time.”
American Dream security staff confirmed the lift returned to service the following day, May 9.
Big SNOW Ski Lift Malfunction in Historical Context
The May 8 malfunction is the latest in a series of operational disruptions at the 4-acre, 16-story indoor slope since it opened in December 2019. In September 2021, an electrical fire broke out at the top of the slope, closing the facility for eight months. Big SNOW did not reopen until May 27, 2022.
Lift Specifications and Facility Details
The lift involved in Thursday’s incident is a Doppelmayr-CTEC fixed quad chairlift, one of four lifts serving the park’s three trails. The quad services the facility’s intermediate and advanced terrain, the Switchback and Northern Lights trails, along with a platter lift. Two carpet lifts serve the beginner-level Lil’ Dipper trail.
The facility is designed to hold up to 500 skiers and snowboarders at any one time, maintaining a constant 28°F temperature year-round via heavy-duty refrigeration systems. It is owned by Triple Five Group and operated by Snow Operating, which also manages Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, NJ.
Big SNOW has not issued a public statement regarding the May 8 incident on its social media channels, which include Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X.
The backup motor system that evacuated all 25 guests is a standard safety feature on aerial chairlifts, which are required under ANSI B77.1, the governing U.S. passenger ropeway standard, to have predetermined evacuation systems in place.
American Dream is preparing for a significant milestone this year. The complex is slated to open a new 3,000-seat concert venue ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being partially hosted in the New York-New Jersey metro area.
Just to clarify on what actually happened. There was a lift stoppage. Back up power was used to safely remove all guests from the lift. There was no rope evacuation. Someone took it upon themselves to call the fire department, but by the time they arrived the whole situation was already resolved.