Trade sunscreen for snow goggles and ski indoors

NEW JERSEY | MEADOWLANDS

By David M. Zimmer

LOOKING FOR A WAY to beat the summer heat? Big SNOW American Dream , which opened last year at the new American Dream mega mall and entertainment complex in East

Rutherford, N.J., is billed as North America’s first indoor, year-round real-snow ski and snowboard center.

The 160-foot slope features a graduated incline shaped with 5,500 tons of manufactured snow. At the top, the slope has a 26-degree incline. Designed to mirror an intermediate ski run, it starts off noticeably steep but transitions to a more gradual incline as it progresses.

Air temperature is a steady 28 degrees Fahrenheit. However, due to the activity inside, the snow gradually melts. A specially designed system collects the melt for redistribution as fresh snow. The center is making snow now, so it can reopen as soon as indoor amusements receive coronavirus-related state approval .

The slope is two escalator rides up from a parking lot. Wristband scanners usher guests through the locker rooms and on to the ski lift.

Part of the Big SNOW concept is to use the controlled environment to introduce newcomers to skiing. The company that runs the center, SNOW Operating , consults for resorts in Canada, Colorado and other ski destinations.

“It’s easy in, easy out. It’s clean and it’s affordable,” says Anthony Melchiorri , host of Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible and one of the first guests to hit the slopes at Big SNOW. “Kids that never would have thought of skiing can come here and experience it.”

David M. Zimmer writes for NorthJersey.com.

BIG SNOW AMERICAN DREAM