North America's first indoor ski slope opens in NJ mall

There’s a ski slope in New Jersey that has all the snow but no cold wind. Ever.

That’s because it’s inside a mall.

The facility - called ‘Big Snow’ - is North America’s first year-round indoor ski and snowboard hill says VP of Marketing, Hugh Reynolds.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) BIG SNOW'S VP OF MARKETING, HUGH REYNOLDS, SAYING:

"So the indoor slope is 180,000 square feet, it's four skiable acres, it's divided into four trails. We have about 5,500 tons of snow in this facility right now, so two feet of snow throughout the entire facility. We make snow every night..."

Local snowboarders, like Reuven Rowner, say the indoor slope allows them more time to focus on their passion.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) BIG SNOW VISITOR AND 29-YEAR-OLD NURSE, REUVEN ROWNER, SAYING:

"It's a thrill, it's a rush. And it's something that I don't usually get to do that much during a season. But now I can because this is so close to home."

At 16 stories high - this slope may not be as steep as, say, a black diamond at Lake Tahoe… but skiers are finding merit in it.

SOUNDBITE)(English) BIG SNOW VISITOR AND 74-YEAR-OLD ATTORNEY, RICHARD MILLER, SAYING:

"For an advanced skier it's going to be a little easy. What it is, is a good warm up. If you haven't been able to get on the snow, you can at least start working your legs and work up to something else."

Unlike those picturesque mountain resorts - New Jersey’s ’Big Snow’ aims to keep a cool 28 degree room temperature, even in the summer.