Ski Racing In A Mall???

I’ll be honest in sharing that indoor skiing- particularly in a mall- was never something I even considering putting on my bucket list. Three camps at Big Snow American Dream in Rutherford, NJ later, I can confirm that mall skiing certainly belongs on your to-do list- especially as a ski racer!

I grew up ski racing on what we were certain was the slowest chairlift in ski history. When I started coaching on this same hill- the steep and beloved Snow King Mountain- 5-6 runs in a two hour training session felt sensationally successful. While I could argue this slow chair gifted me many of my ski racing friendships and perhaps the art of patience- seeing the volume possibilities at the Big Snow American Dream facility impressed me.

It has been proven time again in simplistic terms that the more hours spend doing something- the more practiced you become. Similarly, muscle memory is hugely beneficial for athletes trying to master skills within their sport. At our most recent Big Snow Slalom Camp For Girls, athletes were averaging 15-20 runs per training session. This camp offers a phenomenal opportunity to build muscle memory and maximize time on snow, especially during the off-season when those skills are typically not practiced

With the exception those from the Midwest, many ski racers I know struggle with technique on flat terrain, making Big Snow an excellent venue for learning the mechanics of glide and speed generation. Our most recent cohort made huge improvements in this area and we are confident these skills will translate into their next race season.

Aside from the skiing, the Big Snow experience is one that induces bonding. Sometimes you can’t help but turn to someone next to you and remark about how funny skiing in a mall really is. In between video sessions, we played one of our favorite all- time camp games birdie on a perch and one group even performed a dance! This group was committed to making the most of the experience and it showed.

We are thrilled to host another rendition of this camp next September so if you just added skiing in a mall to your bucket list- sign up today!