Big Snow Ski Resort is a prominent Michigan ski and snowboard resort. The Upper Peninsula resort has around 400 inches of snowfall yearly and 265 acres of skiable terrain. With 33 routes and seven chairlifts, it caters to skiers of all skill levels. The resort also has a full-service ski store, equipment rental, and ski and snowboard instruction for those new to the sport.
There are many food choices, a fitness facility, and an indoor waterpark for tourists who want to vacation from the slopes. Big Snow Ski Resort is an excellent option for anybody seeking a fantastic winter holiday. With its stunning environment, first-rate facilities, and diverse activities, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders.
Mountain Statistics
- 4 acres of skiable land
- 4 acres total footprint
- Terrain that is serviced by a lift: 100%
- 446 feet above sea level
- 160-foot vertical drop
- Lifts: 4
- There are four trails.
- 50% if you are a beginner.
- 25% intermediate
- 25% for advanced/expert
Trail Map in Big Snow Ski Resort
You thought you’d seen everything in the ski world? Try Big Snow American Dream, a ski resort that isn’t a mountain—it’s an artificial structure that is entirely inside. Big Snow is located at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey, adjacent to the Meadowlands Stadium and just a short drive from New York City. This indoor complex maintains a constant temperature of slightly below freezing and is open all year, but is it a replacement for a proper ski trip? It all depends on what you’re searching for.
Size and layout of the resort
The first question you may have about Big Snow is how they squeeze an entire ski resort within an indoor mall. Big Snow, it turns out, isn’t all that big—with just a 4-acre footprint, the complex is almost little compared to every other outdoor mountain we’ve seen. Consequently, anybody who has been to a genuine mountain can traverse the whole footprint in 15 minutes or less.
Difficulties on the Trail
Big Snow’s 160-foot (50-m) vertical drop comprises three trails that run parallel to one another (there are technically four trails, but the blue-rated Switchback and green-rated Perfect Slope are simply different parts of the same run). Despite trail grades varying from green to black, the difficulty of these runs is generally consistent.
The top portion of the complex is steeper than the bottom, with an average low-intermediate pitch, and it mellows down to beginner-level terrain around halfway down. The most straightforward course, Lil’ Dipper, incorporates a banked slalom to make the pitch as leisurely as possible.
Big Snow does feature a black-diamond-rated track, but it isn’t genuinely advanced terrain. If you check the trail map, the resort classifies it with a “More Difficult” rating, generally assigned to blues at other alternatives. Exploring the potentials of the best ski resorts in Michigan is essential for a marvelous trip. In truth, the black run is a terrain park with the same pitch as the surrounding blue trail, which means it’s no more challenging, provided you keep clear of the features.
For those who aren’t learning, Big Snow’s terrain park is undoubtedly the most fascinating section of the resort; features vary from tiny to medium and include boxes, rails, jumps, and jibs.
Setup for a First-Time Beginner
Big Snow offers an excellent first-timer setup. The complex is built for novice advancement, and the most straightforward “slopes” are flat ground or rolling small pipes that do not even need a lift to reach. The green slopes have their dedicated magic carpet, so visitors do not need to board the chairlift to access the complex’s most straightforward terrain.
Lifts
Big Snow’s lift system is simple, yet it serves the resort’s purpose. One fixed-grip quad and one surface lift service the whole resort vertical, while the two aforementioned magic carpets serve the bottom half. Despite the quad’s modest pace, it only takes two minutes to ride without stopping and not much longer if misloads occur.
Snowfall Conditions
But, when it comes to making Big Snow’s slopes skiable, does the complex employ genuine snow—and, if so, how good is it? The Snow, it turns out, is true, but it was created artificially using snow cannons.
The resort uses snowmaking to provide a stable foundation every day it is open, and when combined with the regulated climatic conditions, this results in the most reliable footprint of any ski slope on the continent.
However, the Snow created isn’t exactly copious, and the base may become relatively thin—or even slippery in some places—by the end of the day. Big Snow often uses snowmaking after hours, so arriving earlier in the day will reduce your chances of hitting skied-out slopes.
Scents in the Home
While Big Snow will never be mistaken for an outside destination ski resort, the facility makes an exciting attempt to imitate the experience as much as possible. Upon entering the rental area, visitors will be met with a pine-scented aroma—a deliberate decision meant to give a sensation of being in a woodland setting.
Scents suggestive of a bakery on the hills are also pumped throughout the area. This one puzzled us initially, but after contacting resort officials, they learned that it was meant to remind visitors of waffle cabins—even though none were at the Big Snow complex.
Operating Timetable
Big Snow operates on a different timetable than most other mountains. Because of the complex’s lack of solar exposure, it is not reliant on daylight to offer access to its slopes, and the resort bases its opening and closing hours on predicted demand. Big Snow opens later than most mountains, at 1 p.m.
Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. on weekends, and shuts later, too, at 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This means that whether you reside in New York City or the New Jersey suburbs, Big Snow is a possible alternative for some short laps after work or school.
Big Snow, North America’s first ski resort independent of exterior weather conditions, is open virtually every day of the year (the complex only shuts for private events and is available on important holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, and Independence Day).
While one may anticipate the slopes to be the same regardless of season, the summer experience at the resort differs somewhat from the winter one. Summer is less crowded than late autumn and winter, resulting in improved snow preservation, fewer crowds, and fewer chairlift misloads.
Activities
One of the most distinctive features of Big Snow is the availability of different activities only steps away from the slopes. The resort is just across the street from MetLife Stadium, which holds professional football games and concerts, among other things.
Consequently, visitors may ski or ride before seeing an A-List singer or the Giants or Jets play live—try to think of another resort where that is possible! Big Snow’s host mall also has a Nickelodeon theme park and an indoor water park; both seem too marketed, although they could be entertaining if you have kids.
Pricing
Big Snow charges a different fee for entrance than other outdoor ski resorts. Unlike other resorts that offer tickets in full-day increments, Big Snow’s basic access ticket is only suitable for two hours. However, since the complex is relatively tiny, more time is needed for most visitors. When buying a ticket, guests must choose a specified admission time to access the slopes and wear a unique wristband to log the time spent in the snow dome.
Big Snow also sells a monthly “subscription” pass that allows unlimited complex access except on certain holidays. The SNOW Pass Subscription costs $299 for the first month, then $99 per month afterward; this pass pays for itself after six two-hour increments in the first month and just two two-hour increments in future months. Guests who want to stay more than two hours at the resort without purchasing this pass must buy several tickets.
Package Rentals
If you want to avoid carrying your equipment to the complex, Big Snow provides rental packages that include lift access. These packages include jackets, helmets, and snow trousers; glove rentals are available at an additional fee. The package, which costs $89 per two-hour session for lift entrance and rentals, is reasonable compared to many outside ski resort rental shops.
How to Get There
Big Snow is located just outside New York City, with easy access from Manhattan, Staten Island, and Jersey City. Drive durations vary based on the time of day, but it’s around a half-hour drive from downtown Manhattan.
The trip to Big Snow extends more from Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The American Dream Mall has plenty of parking but costs $5 per spot (assuming you remain longer than 30 minutes, which most visitors do).
Big Snow has no regular public transit. New Jersey transportation provides bus and rail connections to the neighboring stadium on game, concert, or event days. However, these sometimes crowded transportation alternatives operate on very particular schedules and aren’t the most fun ways to go to Big Snow.
Lodging
Several hotel alternatives are available for the few people who desire to remain at Big Snow overnight. Several hotels, ranging from budget to expensive, can be found in the mall’s Meadowlands Complex, and dozens more hotels and Airbnb’s can be located within a short driving distance of the hill. Guests may enjoy staying in adjacent Jersey City or New York City, which have many more lodgings than one can count.
Aprés-ski
Guests seeking an actual après-ski experience would be disappointed with Big Snow. The resort mainly draws people who come for a few hours on the slopes and then depart, with the bulk of these visitors being either school-age children or their parents.
There are a few bars in the American Dream mall, but none have a ski town feel. If aprés is a must, there’s little doubt about it: leaving the mall and returning to New York is the way to go.
FAQs About Big Snow Ski Resort in Michigan
1. How many ski runs are there at Big Snow Ski Resort?
Big Snow Ski Resort features 34 ski runs, including seven beginner runs, fifteen intermediate runs, and twelve challenging slopes. This implies that there is something for everyone’s skill level.
2. How much Snow falls on average at Big Snow Ski Resort?
Big Snow Ski Resort receives an average of roughly 210 inches of Snow each year. This is a substantial quantity of Snow, guaranteeing that there will always be enough fresh powder to enjoy.
3. Does Big Snow Ski Resort have any terrain parks?
Yes, Big Snow Ski Resort has two terrain parks. The parks are intended for riders of all ability levels, from beginners to experienced, and include a range of obstacles and jumps.
4. Does Big Snow Ski Resort provide ski instruction?
Big Snow Ski Resort provides ski and snowboard training for people of all ages and abilities. Private and group courses, as well as multi-week programs for children, are provided.
5. Are there any other activities available at Big Snow Ski Resort?
Big Snow Ski Resort provides a range of winter sports, including skiing and snowboarding. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and tubing are among them.
6. Does Big Snow Ski Resort provide on-site lodging?
Yes, Big Snow Ski Resort does provide on-site housing. The resort has various lodging options, including hotel rooms, condominiums, and cabins.
7. What are the food alternatives at Big Snow Ski Resort?
Big Snow Ski Resort has many eating choices, including a cafeteria-style restaurant, a sit-down restaurant, and a bar and grill. There is also a coffee shop and a snack bar on the property.
8. When should you go to Big Snow Ski Resort?
Big Snow Ski Resort is best visited between December and March when the snow conditions are optimum. However, since the resort is open from November to mid-April, there are plenty of chances to hit the slopes during winter.