Big SNOW in NJ, set to open Oct 2019 . . . make that Dec 2019

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2019/10/23/is-this-any-way-to-open-a-mall-no-but-american-dream-isnt-exactly-a-mall/

The more I read, the less likely I am to ever go.  This "mall" sounds like a nightmare. I detest crowds.

And, Z, if racers are training with the same snow at the same humidity levels, how will they know how to adjust to varying race conditions?

It’s certainly not going to be a teams only place to train but getting winter snow in the summer or fall is increasingly hard to find with warmer summers

WC teams are using these indoor venues to get some high SL reps as a lower cost way to train I; the summer and fall

The Big SNOW Facebook Page is starting to get active.  Has about 2000 people following.  Posted some pics of snowmaking on 10/25.  The more fun pics are the ones of the crane lifting the snowcat in order to get it in the building.

https://www.facebook.com/bigsnowad/

On the upside you never have to worry about a gullywasher.

Harvey wrote

On the upside you never have to worry about a gullywasher.

They could break a water hose - you never know...

News 12 on Long Island posted a teaser video on Facebook about Big SNOW.  Said the snow depth will be 2 ft "in the center."  Mentioned a radiant cooling system in the floor.  Variations of the same video clips have shown up elsewhere around the NYC metro area too.  Marketing has begun!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=761378457616910

That’s it

It looks better than the orange mish mash.  If there's a real snow storm, they should open the roof.

D.B. Cooper wrote

If there's a real snow storm, they should open the roof.

D.B. Cooper wrote

It looks better than the orange mish mash.

That orange-brown-blue mish mash was atrocious. It looked like they went to a scrap yard to get the siding.

Since I've seen talk of surfing and skiing on the same day, decided to mention that American Dream also has a surf-generating machine.  The article below includes a couple of Instagram videos of the kids.  They were part of a small group of competitive surfers invited to check out the pool a month ago.

https://www.nj.com/bergen/2019/11/american-dreams-indoor-wave-pool-opens-soon-check-out-surfers-testing-it-out.html
" . . .
American Wave Machines, the manufacturer of the PerfectSwell wave pool system at American Dream. PerfectSwell creates a paddle in surfing experience mimicking the ocean dynamics found in nature, according to American Wave Machine’s website. It uses an air pressure system to produce the swells.
. . .
[Rob] Kelly, 30, probably the most well known professional surfer in New Jersey, works as a surf ambassador for American Wave Machines. He was asked by the company to test out the wave pool at American Dream and give feedback so they could calibrate the waves just right. He brought along Cruz, who he mentors, a female surfer in Davis and Schmidt, another professional surfer who is tall, Kelly said, to get different perspectives.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Kelly said. “I was aware it was the same technology as in Texas, but scaled down to meet the footprint of the indoor waterpark. So I was expecting a smaller wave, and it is, but we found out that it offers high performance surfing even though it’s a smaller ride."

"And that it’s indoors adds a cool element,” he said.

Looks epic

PeeTex wrote

I had a cat named whiskers when I was a kid. She was a killer- pure predator.

Brownski wrote

Looks epic

Pretty typical for indoor slopes built in Europe from the videos I've seen.  What makes it work is having separate lifts for the different areas.  So advanced folks don't have to get in line for the chairlift with people who think they are ready for the blue section.

From what I can tell, Big SNOW is on track for the Dec. 5 opening.  Unlike the waterpark that was supposed to open today.  No new date for that opening yet.  I'm guessing but could mean that hiring for the waterpark is more of an issue than for snowsports.  When Massanutten opened the water park about 15 years years, hiring and training enough people to stand around in water all day long as life guards took quite a while.

https://rcbizjournal.com/2019/11/22/american-dream-mall-delays-water-park-indefinitely/
" . . .
Big Snow plans to kick off its opening with an invite-only event that will feature an appearance by world champion and Olympic gold medal ski racer Lindsey Vonn.
. . ."


https://www.nj.com/bergen/2019/11/trail-map-for-american-dream-malls-ski-park-shows-what-it-will-look-like-inside.html

There is a random drawing contest for Opening Day tickets to Big SNOW.  Can enter daily but have to be in Facebook.

GRAND OPENING GIVEAWAY
We're giving away 10 pairs of tickets to opening day on Dec 5, 2019!
Plus, one group of two will be chosen from the entrants to win a Grand Prize - VIP Meet and Greet prior to opening to the public.  It's so easy and you can win today!
 
Enter some basic information, hit enter and you'll know instantly whether you have won!
Don't worry of you didn't win today, you can come back tomorrow and try again.

I really appreciate your dedication to this thread marznc!

raisingarizona wrote

I really appreciate your dedication to this thread marznc!

I'll take that as a compliment. When I get interested in something new, it's always more fun to share.  

At this point, less reason to be looking around to see if new news has trickled out.  The Big SNOW Facebook page will probably be a good source of the latest info.

Plus the Big SNOW website is up.  They are ready to sell tickets.  A 2-hour ticket for 7+ is $35 but can be bought online for $30.  Also can get a 3-pack for $130/100.  For just checking it out once, seems easier to pick a date and get the full package that comes with rental gear (skis, boots, poles, helmet), outerwear (ski pants, warm jacket) for $50.

https://www.bigsnowamericandream.com

The website has the trail map, as well as an introduction to Terrain Base Learning (TM) using the video from last season.  What's unusual is the Parent Escort Policy.  During the restricted hours, anyone 21 or younger is expected to be able to show some form of ID that isn't just a school ID.

"We welcome all youth to Big SNOW and American Dream; however, on Friday and Saturday evenings youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older from 4 p.m. until close.

The Parental Escort Policy will be enforced all day, December 26 – 31 and other dates as posted in advance by American Dream.

One adult may supervise up to 10 youth."

Is that place going to be open in the summer?

D.B. Cooper wrote

Is that place going to be open in the summer?

Assuming it lasts that long, yes