I left my house wearing shorts and a T-shirt while carrying my skis because it was 92 degrees outside.
Oh, how my neighbors are staring.
While New Yorkers battled oppressive heat, I was hauling along skis, poles, and boots.
I reached the slope—yes, there was only one slope—after less than 30 minutes.
I've seen and done some pretty remarkable things during my years of travel.
I've done things like trek the Grand Canyon, go mountain biking in Patagonia, and eat the most incredible snow crab in a small South Korean fishing village.
Then, in 2012, I decided to spend some free time in Dubai skiing inside a sizable mall in order to beat the heat.
I made my way to the slope past the group of inexperienced skiers, many of whom had never seen snow before, much less snow that had been created by humans.
The chairlift was slow, the trail was small, and there were far too many people to let loose, but it was still a tonne of fun.
I thus grabbed my skis and crossed the Hudson River as soon as I learned that a long-delayed indoor ski hill was now open for business within sight of New York City.
Developers have long-held aspirations of building a megamall in the Meadowlands Sports Complex close to the former Giants Stadium.
The project went through a number of names, including Meadowlands Mills and Xanadu, before finally debuting in October 2019 as American Dream.
In December of same year, the Big Snow ski slope opened for business.
The COVID-19 epidemic followed that.
Later, the ski area was damaged by an electrical fire.
Hopefully, all of it is behind us now.
Skiers can once more enjoy year-round winter enjoyment in New Jersey with a spectacular reopening on May 27.
I was certain that I had to look into it.
American Dream ski reservations for Big Snow
Skiing in a mall requires little preparation.
If you already own ski equipment (such as outerwear, gloves, a helmet, and skis), all you need to do is purchase a two-hour lift ticket online in advance for $39.99 or $49.99 (tickets are not offered on site).
The actual cost will vary depending on whether you show up during the week or on the weekend.
Although there are 15-minute time periods, the clock doesn't start running until you put on your ski gear and enter the hill.
Two hours is plenty of time, I promise.
You must park on Level 1 of Deck A for Big Snow, which costs $5, despite the lack of signs. Once your ticket's QR code is scanned, you will be given a radio-frequency identification wristband that serves as your lift ticket.
After that, you'll have access to a locker room where you can keep any belongings you brought with you.
Throughout your visit, you are free to use it as often as you like.
Don't worry if you don't have skis or winter clothing:
For $89.99, Big Snow offers a rental set that includes a jacket, pants, helmet, and skis.
Bring your own gloves because replacements cost $10 more.
(Chase designated the acquisition as "education."
I still don't get that one.)
You should be aware that there is no rental option for just skis if you simply have apparel.
Even if you don't wear the given apparel, you still have to pay for the rental clothing.
How indoor skiing is like in New Jersey
First off, the novelty alone makes this a lot of fun.
On a hot day, entering a sizable 28° room was a welcome change, similar to entering the supermarket's freezer department.
However, as that first impression fades, you're left with unexpectedly excellent skiing on a wide-open slope.
On a Friday, I arrived at 1 p.m. and shared the hill with about 20 other individuals.
We could ski anywhere on the constrained slope without having to avoid other skiers, and there was hardly any wait for the slow four-person "quad" chairlift.
The resort, if I can even call it that, also features two "magic carpet" conveyor belt-style lifts for beginners, a rope tow close to its freestyle terrain park, and a chairlift.
This was not a difficult location for someone who has been skiing for more than three decades and can manage the majority of black-diamond runs in the Rockies.
Coming in, I was aware of that.
Even yet, at my fastest, I was down the slope in in 24 seconds.
In contrast, it took a dozen minutes to ride the lift back up.
Still, the outdoor temperature was 92 degrees.
Having any alternative (even one designed for novices) was preferable to having no option at all because I wasn't exactly going to ski anywhere else nearby.
It felt something like a tiny resort despite its small size.
Large windows in the Yard House restaurant and coffee shop, which both overlook the ski slope, give the establishment a base village-like atmosphere.
Should you like to get a cup of hot chocolate and relax for a while while enjoying the scenery (which is frequently my 7-year-old daughter's favorite part of skiing), there are even a few chairs available.
In conclusion
Big Snow won't be able to compete with the best ski areas near Lake Tahoe, in Aspen, or in Vail, Colorado, or even with your neighborhood ski area, and that's okay.
Whether you're a newbie or someone who just wants to get a few turns in during the offseason, if you head into Big Snow with the appropriate expectations, you'll have a fantastic experience.
Anyone who wants to go skiing will find it to be quite convenient given its proximity to New York City.
Not to mention, setup is quite simple.
The only thing I'm afraid about is showing there when it's too packed, but for the time being, that doesn't appear likely.
It was pure delight to visit early on a hot Friday afternoon.
FACEBOOK