The holiday season officially kicked off at American Dream Mall in the Meadowlands complex on Thursday, December 5th with festive activities for the entire family including free photos with Santa, face painting, a winter market and more.
Edited by: TJVNews.com
American Dream is a retail and entertainment complex that has over 450 stores. Big SNOW is the third venue to open at American Dream. The mega-mall in the Meadowlands opened its doors Oct. 25 but only the Nickelodeon Universe theme park and The Rink, an NHL regulation-sized skating rink debuted. The rest of the opening stages will take place in early 2020.
American Dream was the brainchild of Canadian real estate developers Eskandar, Nader, Raphael and Bahman Ghermezian who are of Iranian-Jewish origin.
The Big SNOW American Dream also opened on Thursday, welcoming Santa Claus himself as one of the attraction’s very first visitors.
The media was allowed inside the 16-story, 180,000 square-foot indoor ski and snowboard park for a first look before the public slid down the slopes later on Thursday.
According to an NJ.com report this is the first real snow indoor ski and snowboard venue in North America. To make it feel like winter the whole year through, the Big Snow will be regulated at about 28 degrees. The below freezing temperature keeps the slopes covered in 5,500 tons of snow, with an average depth of 2 feet, according to the NJ.com report.
Big SNOW has a ski chalet-themed retail store, three slopes of varying difficulties, four lifts, a freestyle terrain park for snowboarders and a Terrain Based Learning area for beginners, the trademarked teaching tool of SNOW Operating, which runs Big SNOW and Mountain Creek, as was reported by NJ.com
NJ.com reported that skiing novices can rent equipment, ski jackets and pants for $69.99 for a two-hour session or more for a three-day session, and experienced skiers and snowboarders can bring their own and just buy an access pass for $34.99. There’s pricing for kids, too, and even child care for parents who want to ski without kids in tow.
The media kick-off event featured appearances by New Jersey native and Olympic gold medalist mogul skier Donna Weinbrecht, World Champion and Olympic Gold Medal ski racer Lindsey Vonn, Burton Snowboards Global Team Rider and US Olympic Gold Medalist Red Gerard and Global Team Rider Ben Ferguson.
SNOW Operating’s owner, Joe Hession said the indoor ski facility continues his mission to get more people sliding on snow.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
American Dream’s Events Court is transformed into a winter wonderland this holiday season. When you and your family visit American Dream between December 5 – December 24 you will receive a complimentary 5×7 print + digital photo with Santa. Photos with Santa are available at your convenience, with no appointments needed. Suggested donations benefiting Make-A-Wish® New Jersey, our holiday non-profit partner, are encouraged. A complete listing of Santa’s schedule for the holiday season is available at www.americandream.com/event/santa. Santa is bilingual and is fluent in English and Spanish.
CELEBRATE WITH COCA-COLA
Coca-Cola’s celebration of the season comes to life at American Dream this Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8. Coca-Cola has created an immersive snowscape environment, including a gif booth where guests will sled down a mountain, complete with Coca-Cola branded winter gear. Guests can enjoy new Coca-Cola Cinnamon and Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry flavors after they ‘ride’ down the mountain.
WINTER MARKET
The Winter Market at American Dream will debut this December and offer guests the opportunity to shop for unique gifts for loved ones, as well as sample snacks that will tease their appetites. Vendors include A’Jar Sweet Cream Factory, Bang Cookies, Italian Alps Gelato, Grisini Coffee, Ladurée, Pandora, Robin Ruth, Sleet & Sole, The New Stand and Unique Flowers.
FESTIVE FACE PAINTING
Enjoy festive face painting during the weekend at American Dream. Face painters will be in the Tree Court and Nickelodeon Universe every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 6 – December 22, as well as Monday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 24. Hours will be posted on www.americandream.com.
CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS
Celebrate Chanukah at American Dream. Join us for a special Chanukah Skate at The Rink on Sunday, December 22 from 5:00PM – 8:00PM, with DJ Jon spinning and a menorah lighting at 6:00PM. The community will gather to celebrate the last night of Chanukah on Sunday, December 29 from 5:30PM – 6:30PM, with a menorah lighting in the Events Court at 6:00PM.
SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
American Dream will welcome local schools and community groups performing holiday hits throughout the winter wonderland. Enjoy performances several times throughout the afternoon on Saturday, December 7, 14, 21 and on Sunday, December 8, 15, 22.
WEAR THE SEASON WITH WHOOPI
Wear the season in Whoopi Goldberg’s amazing, amusing, limited edition Christmas and Chanukah sweaters. Holiday sweaters are available for sale in Whoopi = American Dream, open through January 2020. While you’re there, check out Whoopi’s new book ‘The Unqualified Hostess’ for inspiration and tips for all of your holiday soirees.
