Big SNOW at American Dream to open for the first time since pandemic hit

North America’s first indoor ski and snowboard center will resume operations on Sept. 1, the operators of Big SNOW at American Dream announced Wednesday.

The indoor ski slope originally opened in December, drawing both Olympians and enthusiasts, but shuttered its doors with all other non-essential businesses in New Jersey in the middle of March due to COVID-19.

Starting Tuesday, Big SNOW will be implementing updated safety measures to allow its guests to enjoy the snow, social distancing and all.

Big SNOW employees will undergo daily health screenings and temperature checks prior to entering the facility. Face-to-face interactions within the center will be limited, with advance online ticket purchase required for on-snow visits and contactless scanning for arrival and entry in and out of the snow dome implemented. Face coverings will be required for all guests and team members, and gloves will be required for all guests entering the snow.

“Skiing and snowboarding are great naturally socially distant recreation activities, and we are all very excited to be able to open Big SNOW for our guests again,” said Hugh Reynolds, vice president of marketing and sales of Big SNOW’s parent company SNOW Operating, in a prepared statement. “Our team has been working very hard these past few months to reinvent what the Big SNOW experience will look like in today’s COVID world. I’m confident that our guests will see and feel the results of that work when they visit us, and we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with them.”

Additionally, all high-touchpoint areas including counters, handrails, restrooms, seating areas and rental equipment will be cleaned and sanitized regularly and hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the facility. Chair lifts up the 180,000-square-foot, 16-story ski slope will be limited to only those who have arrived together.