06 April 2016

SAM Magazine—East Rutherford, N.J., April 5, 2016—Developer Triple Five and resort operating group SNOW Operating are partnering to operate North America's first indoor snow center, “Big SNOW America,” at American Dream when the megaplex at the Meadowlands Sports Complex opens in 2017.

Big SNOW America will comprise 180,000 square feet of the 3 million square-foot American Dream complex. The 12-story snow center will offer year-round skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, as well as indoor snow play and event spaces. Surrounding the snow center will be a collection of snow-focused retail outlets, dubbed “The Shops @ Big SNOW.”

“This project is the biggest and most exciting opportunity in the snow business and we are really proud to be part of it,” said Joe Hession, CEO of SNOW Operating. “I'm a Jersey guy and I got my start in the ski business right here in New Jersey. To be able to have the SNOW Operating team operate this center here in my home state really is a dream come true, and to do it with Triple Five, which has such a tremendous track record of operating some of the best retail centers in the world, I have no doubts that this center will instantly become an iconic destination for the N.Y. metropolitan area.”

Guests at Big SNOW America will get a glimpse of what life at a big mountain resort is like, complete with ski chalet, shopping village and s'mores around the fire. Big SNOW America will offer Experience Packages for all ability levels. Beginners will be able to take advantage of SNOW Operating's Terrain Based Learning™ methods and use the most cutting-edge ski and snowboard technologies and equipment.

“We're changing the game compared to the existing models that are out there for indoor snow centers,” Hession added. “Big SNOW America will be a flagship example of what is possible in terms of skiing and snowboarding guest experience. [It] will be a year-round experiential attraction that blends skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing with fashion, design, and culture to provide a unique and entertaining experience for participants and spectators alike.”

Big SNOW America will share American Dream with more than 450 other enterprises, including North America's largest fully-enclosed indoor DreamWorks Water Park, an amusement park, a 285-foot tall observation wheel, luxury movie theatres by Cinemex, a 70,000 square-foot Sea Life Aquarium & Lego Discovery Center, and an NHL-size ice rink. The Dream also features a 460,000 square-foot luxury and fashion area, and The Dining Terrace, showcasing 15 full-service restaurants.

American Dream began life in 2004 as “Xanadu Meadowlands.” But construction stalled several times before Triple Five took ownership of the project in 2013 and revamped the concept.