Today I ventured to the US’s first indoor ski slope, Big Snow, located in the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, NJ, within the Meadowlands sports complex.
Tickets must be purchased online and reservations made for a 2-hr ticket. A 2-hr lift ticket is 34.99. (If one purchases a 6 time pass, then no reservations are required). I decided to do a SnoGo snow bike rental and lesson, which cost $69.99. I wanted to try the bike after seeing them at Winter Park last year and regretting not taking a lesson there.
So, when I pulled into the parking garage for the mall, there were a bunch of people in ski gear with skis and snowboards. It was kind of funny; out of place. But at least I knew I was in the right place. Two escalator rides up, and I was right at the entrance, where my QR code was scanned and my temperature taken:
Then, I had to go to another line, where I was then directed to a window, where my QR code was again scanned:
Covid protocol was clear on their website and inside. There was lots of signage:
I was given a wrist band with an RFID chip and directed through one of four “gondolas:”
Since my SnoGo rental/lesson also included clothing and snowboard boot rental, I didn’t bring my own ski gear. But there were changing rooms (and restrooms) to change into. I was given an insulated jacket and pants and snowboard boots. Helmets are included but I wore my own instead. There are lockers that are activated by the wristband, along with marked spaces to sit, and one-way directional signs through the locker areas:
Then you enter the ski area. If you bring your own skis or board, staff takes it and brings it ”outside” for you to pick up while you change:
Just inside the ski area by the magic carpet. My instructor (a 2 hr lesson is included) got me set up on a bike. A waist strap attaches via a locking carabiner on a coiled leash to the bike. There are several rings also linking the carabiner to the leash. They are designed to break in a hard fall, so the bike will detach from they rider. In a soft fall, the bike stays attached. Riding the carpet is easy on the bike. Just position it to line up with the carpet and scoot it forward, the carpet will grab it and off you go. My feet were on 2 platforms with an area above the toe and behind the heel to keep my feet secure.
We practiced on some banked turns off the carpet. What a nice little learning area! It’s a bit flat for a SnoGo, but perfect for skiers and boarders just learning. (Big Snow uses terrain-based learning). We then went to the chairlift. Loading is easy: Just push it to the blue line, straddle it with both feet on the snow, sit down on the chair, and pull the bike back towards you. There’s a U-shaped bar on the bike that rests on the seat. It felt very secure and I could let go of the bike while riding the lift, although I’d recommend holding on to the bar with one hand. Unloading involved pushing the bike forward onto the snow, putting one foot in the binding, then pushing off.
This is at the top of the “main” run. There’s only one run and one terrain park (which is accessed via Poma lift).
Turning the bike requires pushing down (hard) on the handlebar on the side you want to turn. You also push down on that same foot, but keep your body upright. The bike will lean into the turn. The trick is to NOT turn the handlebars, then the bike will spin out. I did this once and fell. No big deal, I just laughed. For turn transitions, turn the handlebars to get the front ski facing downhill. Stopping requires just turning the bike up the hill, as on skis. It’s easy to learn, but carving nice turns requires more practice. By the third run I was linking nice turns and even popping a few wheelies. If the slope was longer, it would be easier to master, because then a rhythm could be found. I asked the instructor to take pictures or video, but they didn’t really turn out as she did it while on her SnoGo. (All I got was video of the ceiling, ha). But here’s one screenshot that at least shows me on the bike.
Here is a picture of the ”base area“ and looking across to the main slope. I didn’t get any pictures looking directly up (I was too busy with the bike), nor did I get any pics of the terrain park. Oh well.
After my session was over, I cruised through the retail area. There is a full retail shop, as well as the typical t shirt/mug/hat stuff.
The best thing for sale there is this toy groomer:
I am returning next weekend with some friends: @Olesya C , @Large Squirrel , and @tinymoose . This time I’ll ski with my friends. I think I’ll bring my K2 fatty snowblades (purchased for backyard shenanigans) since they will make the short run seem longer. (I’d recommend skis with a small turn radius or park skis). As for the SnoGo, I’d LOVE to rent one at a larger ski area. The closest area to me is Mountain Creek in NJ. Depending on ticket prices and availability this Covid winter, I’ll try to go. I could definitely see owning a SnoGo if one has foot or knee issues. It’s easy to learn, easy to transport, easy to ride the lift, and easy on the feet and knees! But, I can feel it in my quads afterward!
Perhaps I’ll post more pics when we go next weekend.
Tickets must be purchased online and reservations made for a 2-hr ticket. A 2-hr lift ticket is 34.99. (If one purchases a 6 time pass, then no reservations are required). I decided to do a SnoGo snow bike rental and lesson, which cost $69.99. I wanted to try the bike after seeing them at Winter Park last year and regretting not taking a lesson there.
So, when I pulled into the parking garage for the mall, there were a bunch of people in ski gear with skis and snowboards. It was kind of funny; out of place. But at least I knew I was in the right place. Two escalator rides up, and I was right at the entrance, where my QR code was scanned and my temperature taken:
Then, I had to go to another line, where I was then directed to a window, where my QR code was again scanned:
Covid protocol was clear on their website and inside. There was lots of signage:
I was given a wrist band with an RFID chip and directed through one of four “gondolas:”
Since my SnoGo rental/lesson also included clothing and snowboard boot rental, I didn’t bring my own ski gear. But there were changing rooms (and restrooms) to change into. I was given an insulated jacket and pants and snowboard boots. Helmets are included but I wore my own instead. There are lockers that are activated by the wristband, along with marked spaces to sit, and one-way directional signs through the locker areas:
Then you enter the ski area. If you bring your own skis or board, staff takes it and brings it ”outside” for you to pick up while you change:
Just inside the ski area by the magic carpet. My instructor (a 2 hr lesson is included) got me set up on a bike. A waist strap attaches via a locking carabiner on a coiled leash to the bike. There are several rings also linking the carabiner to the leash. They are designed to break in a hard fall, so the bike will detach from they rider. In a soft fall, the bike stays attached. Riding the carpet is easy on the bike. Just position it to line up with the carpet and scoot it forward, the carpet will grab it and off you go. My feet were on 2 platforms with an area above the toe and behind the heel to keep my feet secure.
We practiced on some banked turns off the carpet. What a nice little learning area! It’s a bit flat for a SnoGo, but perfect for skiers and boarders just learning. (Big Snow uses terrain-based learning). We then went to the chairlift. Loading is easy: Just push it to the blue line, straddle it with both feet on the snow, sit down on the chair, and pull the bike back towards you. There’s a U-shaped bar on the bike that rests on the seat. It felt very secure and I could let go of the bike while riding the lift, although I’d recommend holding on to the bar with one hand. Unloading involved pushing the bike forward onto the snow, putting one foot in the binding, then pushing off.
This is at the top of the “main” run. There’s only one run and one terrain park (which is accessed via Poma lift).
Turning the bike requires pushing down (hard) on the handlebar on the side you want to turn. You also push down on that same foot, but keep your body upright. The bike will lean into the turn. The trick is to NOT turn the handlebars, then the bike will spin out. I did this once and fell. No big deal, I just laughed. For turn transitions, turn the handlebars to get the front ski facing downhill. Stopping requires just turning the bike up the hill, as on skis. It’s easy to learn, but carving nice turns requires more practice. By the third run I was linking nice turns and even popping a few wheelies. If the slope was longer, it would be easier to master, because then a rhythm could be found. I asked the instructor to take pictures or video, but they didn’t really turn out as she did it while on her SnoGo. (All I got was video of the ceiling, ha). But here’s one screenshot that at least shows me on the bike.
Here is a picture of the ”base area“ and looking across to the main slope. I didn’t get any pictures looking directly up (I was too busy with the bike), nor did I get any pics of the terrain park. Oh well.
After my session was over, I cruised through the retail area. There is a full retail shop, as well as the typical t shirt/mug/hat stuff.
The best thing for sale there is this toy groomer:
I am returning next weekend with some friends: @Olesya C , @Large Squirrel , and @tinymoose . This time I’ll ski with my friends. I think I’ll bring my K2 fatty snowblades (purchased for backyard shenanigans) since they will make the short run seem longer. (I’d recommend skis with a small turn radius or park skis). As for the SnoGo, I’d LOVE to rent one at a larger ski area. The closest area to me is Mountain Creek in NJ. Depending on ticket prices and availability this Covid winter, I’ll try to go. I could definitely see owning a SnoGo if one has foot or knee issues. It’s easy to learn, easy to transport, easy to ride the lift, and easy on the feet and knees! But, I can feel it in my quads afterward!
Perhaps I’ll post more pics when we go next weekend.
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