I went skiing in a New Jersey shopping mall and didn’t hate it
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with the latest information.
It was 92 degrees out as I left my home in shorts and a T-shirt with my skis over my shoulder. Oh, the looks from my neighbors. New Yorkers were struggling with extreme heat, and here I was lugging skis, poles and boots around. Less than 30 minutes later, I arrived at the slope — yes, a single slope.
Throughout my years of travel, I’ve seen and done some pretty amazing things. I’ve hiked the Grand Canyon, gone mountain biking in Patagonia and had the most amazing snow crab in a remote fishing village in South Korea.
Then one day in 2012, I had a few spare hours in Dubai and decided to escape the heat by skiing inside a giant shopping mall. I managed my way through the crowd of novice skiers — many of whom had never seen snow before, let alone snow that was human-made — to the slope. It was a short trail, with a slow chairlift and way too many people to let loose, but it was still tons of fun.
So when I heard that a long-delayed indoor ski slope within sight of New York City was open for business, I grabbed my skis and headed across the Hudson River.
@thepointsguyDid you know you can go skiing at the height of summer?! #skiing #snowboard #newjersey #newyork♬ April (No Vocals) – The Young Ebenezers
For decades, developers dreamed of a megamall in the Meadowlands Sports Complex near what was then Giants Stadium. The project had many names — Meadowlands Mills, then Xanadu — before finally opening as American Dream in October 2019. The ski slope, known as Big Snow, opened in December of that year.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, there was an electrical fire that damaged the ski facility.
Now, all of that is hopefully in the past. With a grand reopening on May 27, skiers can once again enjoy year-round winter fun in New Jersey. I knew I just had to check it out.
Booking Big Snow skiing at American Dream
Preparing to ski in a mall is pretty easy. If you have your own ski gear (think: clothing, gloves, a helmet and skis), all you need to do is buy a two-hour lift ticket online in advance — tickets are not sold on site — for $39.99 or $49.99. The exact price will depend on whether you arrive on a weekday or weekend. There are 15-minute time slots, but the clock doesn’t actually start ticking until you change into your ski clothes and are scanned onto the slope.
Trust me, two hours is plenty of time.
Once you find parking — signs were lacking, but for Big Snow, you’ll need to park on Level 1 of Deck A, which costs $5 — and your ticket’s QR code is scanned, you’ll receive a radio-frequency identification wristband that acts as your lift ticket. You’ll then get access to a locker room, where you can store any items you bring with you. You can access it however many times you want during your visit.
If you don’t have skis or cold-weather clothing, don’t worry: Big Snow sells a rental package for $89.99 that includes a jacket, pants, a helmet and skis. Gloves are $10 extra, so bring your own. (Chase coded the purchase as “education.” I’m still scratching my head at that one.)
If you have clothing but not skis, know that there isn’t a skis-only rental package. You have to pay for the clothing rental, even if you don’t use the provided attire.
What it’s like to ski indoors in New Jersey
First off, this is lots of fun just for the novelty. Stepping inside a giant 28-degree room on a sweltering day was refreshing, like walking into the freezer section of the supermarket.
But after that initial feeling wears off, you’re left with surprisingly great skiing on a wide-open slope.
TPG’s video director Ayana Morali and I showed up around 1 p.m. on a Friday and shared the slope with about two dozen other people. There was almost no wait for the slow four-person “quad” chairlift, and we could ski anywhere on the small slope without dodging other skiers.
Besides the chairlift, the resort — can I even call it that? — has a rope tow next to its freestyle terrain park and an area for beginners with two “magic carpet” conveyor belt-type lifts.
As somebody who has been skiing for three-plus decades and can handle most black-diamond runs in the Rockies, this was not a challenging spot. I knew that coming in. Still, it only took me 24 seconds, at my fastest, to race down the slope. Compare that to the half-dozen minutes it took to ride the lift back up.
That said, it was 92 degrees outside. I wasn’t exactly going to ski anywhere else nearby, so having any option (even one meant for beginners) was better than having no option at all.
Despite its small size, it did feel like a miniature resort of sorts. The facility’s Yard House restaurant and coffee shop both have big windows looking out on the ski slope, making it feel like a tiny version of a base village. There are even a few chairs to lounge in, should you decide to buy a cup of hot chocolate and take in the setting for a bit (which is often my 7-year-old daughter’s favorite part of skiing).
Bottom line
Big Snow isn’t going to compete with the top ski resorts around Lake Tahoe and in Aspen and Vail, Colorado — or even your local ski hill — and that’s OK. If you go into Big Snow with the right expectations, you will have a great time, whether you’re a beginner or someone who just wants to get in a few turns during the offseason.
Its proximity to New York City makes it really convenient for anyone eager to ski. Not to mention, the setup couldn’t be easier. My only fear is showing up when it is too crowded, but for now, that doesn’t seem likely to happen. Visiting early on a sweltering Friday afternoon was pure bliss.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.