Big SNOW Implements Big Changes For Reopening Amid Coronavirus

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — It may be September, but expect snow in northern New Jersey next week.

Big SNOW American Dream, the mall's "indoor, real-snow ski and snowboard center" is slated to resume operations on Tuesday, according to a news release.

As with every other business reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, there will be some adjustments made to operations.

"As an indoor recreational facility, Big SNOW will be implementing several updated safety measures to allow its guests to responsibly enjoy the snow and gear up for endless indoor winter again," the company said.

As operations grew closer, Big SNOW employees "experienced extensive health and safety training," the company said.

Employees will undergo daily health screenings and temperature checks prior to entering the facility, and face-to-face interactions have been limited in a few ways.

Online ticket purchases are now required in advance, and contactless scanning for arrival and entry in and out of the snow dome have been implemented.

Face coverings will also be required for all guests and team members, and Big SNOW will even require gloves for all guests entering the snow area.

In addition to the new requirements for personal protective equipment and face-to-face interactions, Big SNOW has also expanded their cleaning and sanitization efforts.

This means high touch areas like restrooms, handrails and rental areas will be cleaned and sanitized "regularly." For those who do have to touch these areas, hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the facility.

"Skiing and snowboarding are great naturally socially distant recreation activities, and we are all very excited to be able to open Big SNOW for our guests again," said Hugh Reynolds, vice president of marketing and sales at SNOW Operating, the New Jersey company who operates Big SNOW.

"Our team has been working very hard these past few months to reinvent what the Big SNOW experience will look like in today’s COVID world. I’m confident that our guests will see and feel the results of that work when they visit us, and we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with them."

Here are the rules for reopening:

• Team members will undergo daily health screenings and temperature checks prior to entering the facility, and have been trained thoroughly on all our new health and safety measures.
• Big SNOW will be limiting the amount of face-to-face interactions you will need to have with the team onsite and staff are requiring advanced online purchase for all snow park visits.
• To better allow for social distancing, the facility will be limiting the number of guests allowed in the park and Shop at Big SNOW at any one time.
• Staff will also be limiting the amount of tickets sold per arrival session and ask that you arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your scheduled arrival time.
• Staff have instituted contactless scanning for arrival and entry into and out of the snow dome. Please have your receipts and media ready and follow the instructions provided.
• Face coverings will be required for all guests and team members at all times. Additionally, gloves will be required for all guests entering the snow. If you forget your gloves or mask, we will have them available for purchase at retail.
• You will notice an increased focus on cleaning and sanitization. All frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized regularly, this includes our counters, handrails, restrooms, seating areas and all rental equipment.
• As an extra precaution our retail associates will be utilizing UV lighting and steamers to sanitize any retail items that have been touched or tried on for sizing. Staff kindly ask that you try to limit the amount of surfaces you touch during your visit and make use of the hand sanitizer stations we have made available throughout the facility.
• Staff will be adhering to strict social distancing precautions. Please keep a minimum of 6 feet of distance between yourself and others and follow the guide signs we have placed throughout the facility to assist you in keeping good distance.
• As always, locker use remains included as part of your visit. To better assist with social distancing and sanitization, staff are limiting the amount of lockers in use at any one time, and encouraging guests to sit only where directed on our benches. Please look for and use only the lockers with a sanitization card inside them, and please dispose of this card upon use.
• For any guest renting with us, please know that all rental equipment will be sanitized after each guest use. As an added precaution staff encourage guests to bring their own underlayers, socks and hats to be worn under our rental gear. Changing rooms are available and will be sanitized after each guest use.
• Please note that gloves are not provided with clothing rental and will be required for all guests entering the snow.
• Gloves and face coverings will be required for all guests entering the snow. Please be sure to scan yourself into the dome upon entry and out upon exit. While inside please adhere to all posted signage, lift riding requirements and social distancing markers.
• For the safety of guests staff are limiting the grouping of guests on our chair lift to only those guests who have arrived together. If you need assistance with using the lift please ask a team member for help.
• If you are a beginner, please take advantage of our Terrain Based Learning features and signage to help guide you through the use of the features with some helpful tips to get you started. If you need more assistance our Snow Guides will be stationed to provide you with some socially distant personalized assistance.