The Best Indoor Ski Areas

How do you balance a year-round obsession with a seasonal sport? Some fly south to chase powder, others slap on skins to access higher altitude snow. And for some, indoor ski areas hold the answers. These arenas are a newer addition to the ski world but ones that give access to turns all year.

As winters grow continually unpredictable with warmer seasons and strange weather patterns, these areas provide consistent access to the slopes regardless of weather or location. To get the most out of these facilities and understand why they exist—and why they’re so popular—we’ve broken down how to maximize your indoor skiing experience, and where to find the best areas. 

Most facilities have designated beginner, intermediate, and advanced zones. Knowing where to find the terrain best suited to your skill level allows you to focus on improving in a safe and predictable environment.

Big Snow American Dream touts itself as the “first and only indoor, real-snow, year-round ski and snow resort.” There’s a lot to unpack there, but the fact remains that the East Rutherford, New Jersey, indoor resort caters to a huge population—it’s near New York City, making it a super accessible “winter” destination.

The slope itself runs about 1,000 feet and temperatures are set to 28 degrees year round. Snow-making machines, while a bane to many skiers’ existence, keep real snow circulating throughout the slopes. Intermediate and advanced skiers should consider checking the terrain parks which are equipped with jumps, rails, and more to session tricks for the season to come.

Big Snow provides individual and group lessons, and there’s also a spot for sledding and general snow play. Camps provided range from snowboard freestyle camps, to those catered to racing and general camps for improving ski and snowboard skill sets. As a plus, children under the age of six can ski for free. 

It’s rare that the worlds of skiing and Christian universities intersect, and yet they come together at the Snowflex Center, an indoor ski area located on Liberty University’s campus. The Snowflex Center is available to the general public, in addition to students and staff.

The facility features a Snowflex surface, as opposed to man-made snow via snow machines, and the material is designed to be about as close to real snow as possible without any of the unpredictability—Snowflex’s smoothness allows for a controlled and smooth ride. There’s a variety of slope inclines and a well-thought-out terrain park, catering their terrain to intermediate to advanced skiers in addition to those breaking into the sport.

Winter and summer camps run throughout the year, providing an opportunity to focus on skill development. Also on campus: the Neverplast tubing runs, which are another four-season adventure open to the public.

The indoor slope also features a challenging terrain park with various obstacles, perfect for those looking to push their limits and develop new skills. Woodward Park City also provides extensive training programs and camps that focus on progression and technique. The overall blend of indoor and outdoor facilities, along with its commitment to skill development, makes it true year-round option for progression.