American Dream's Indoor Ski Slope To Reopen After Last Year's Fire

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Winter is coming, just in time for summer. The indoor ski and snowboard resort at American Dream Mall will soon reopen for the first time since a fire damaged the facility last fall.

Big SNOW will return from 1-9 p.m. May 27 — the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. The venue will host a snow-studded "beach party," which will include DJ entertainment, live ice-sculpting and complimentary photoshoot sessions.

The venue will also honor representatives from various fire departments that responded to Sept. 25's blaze. Big SNOW will also offer discounted tickets to responding firefighters and their families who want to hit the slopes this summer.

“We are tremendously thankful for the quick response and efforts made by the local fire departments last fall,” said Trish McLeod, SNOW Partners's director of resort marketing and sales. “These complimentary tickets are just a small token of our appreciation. At Big SNOW, every day is a snow day, so we hope to see local firefighters and their families cool off and hit the slopes this summer.”

No one was injured in the fire. But the blaze prompted a long process toward reopening, which included cleaning, repairing, replacing and re-inspecting items the fire touched in the 180,000-square foot facility.

The fire gave American Dream yet another obstacle in its financially tumultuous start since opening in October 2019. Hampered by construction delays, stalled store openings and the pandemic, the complex nearly emptied a reserve account to make a $9.3 million debt payment due in February, according to Forbes. A security filing showed $820 left in the reserve fund after the payment, Forbes reported.

Big SNOW opened in late 2019 at the American Dream mega-mall in East Rutherford. The venue is North America's first real-snow, year-round, indoor ski and snowboard resort, according to BIG Snow.

Skiers and snowboarders can purchase a two-hour ticket for $39.99 to $49.99. Kids 6 and under get in free with an adult ticket purchase. (The free ticket doesn't include outerwear or equipment rental.)