Skiers, snowboarders, and tubers in New Jersey typically have it tough if they want to take to the slopes outdoors in the Garden State in what has increasingly become an unpredictable weather climate.
Luckily for powder hounds, there’s Big Snow at American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford to satisfy the itch year-round, no weather forecast needed ever. But if you want the sun at your back, the cold biting your cheeks, and real mountains and trees, nothing will replace the great outdoors.
Mountain Creek in Vernon, New Jersey
Mountain Creek in Vernon Township, New Jersey — managed by Snow Operating, the same folks as Big Snow — is just 47 miles from the George Washington Bridge and the region’s highest vertical. Mountain Creek is also the East Coast’s only true All-Mountain Terrain Park south of Vermont.
With 167 skiable acres on four mountain peaks, Mountain Creek is New Jersey’s largest ski resort, offering three terrain parks, long wide-open groomers and 100% night skiing. It’s a family-friendly resort, with skill level options for everyone, including skiers, snowboarders and tubers. Even before the equipment upgrades, the resort’s snowmaking system was one of the largest and most powerful in the country, according to its website.
High Tech Snow Making Power
For the 2024-25 season, Mountain Creek invested $5 million to have a bit more control when it comes to making snow outdoors. This revolutionary technology will transform snow production on key trails, enabling Mountain Creek to open earlier in the season, expand terrain faster, and maintain premium snow conditions throughout the winter.
After replacing older snow-making pipes at Mountain Creek, along with hydrants and pump stations, automatic controls were implemented along with durable ductile iron pipes. Next, 40 new energy-efficient fan guns were installed.
Mountain Lakes, Gravity, Technology
Snowmaking is fed by seven mountaintop lakes, which minimizes energy consumption and allows for the resort to use gravity to feed the system. Existing snow-making machines were relocated to new strategic positions on its trails, the resort said.
The fan guns turn on and off automatically any time temperatures permit snowmaking, and operators will be able to control the flow and output from the guns via an online app. That means more snow can be made in shorter weather windows and overall energy consumption can be reduced.
Snow Making Extravaganza
With the upgrades, Mountain Creek now has more than 1,000 snow-making machines. In ideal weather conditions, it can produce 3.5 million cubic feet of snow in 24 hours, enough to cover 80 acres of trail — or to fill 1,000 tractor trailer containers.
Get the Triple Play Card Before It’s Too Late
For a limited time through Sept. 22, Mountain Creek is offering enthusiasts a Triple Play Card offering three anytime lift tickets for a special sales price of just $99.99.
Other deals are coming up throughout the fall season and family and group discounts are always in play. Click here for more information.
