After Decades in Manhattan, Winter Jam Coming to Prospect Park

With so much snowfall hitting the city, few might be excited to see more snow — unless, of course, that snow was accompanied by skis and hot chocolate.

Luckily for Brooklyn's powder fans,  is happening Saturday, and for the first time, it will be held in Prospect Park.

A joint effort by New York City’s Parks Department, the Prospect Park Alliance, and the Olympic Regional Development Authority, Winter Jam NYC is a free winter sports festival for participants of all ages and skill levels. No advance registration is required: just show up and get in line to borrow some gear.

Held since at least the 1930s in Central Park, organizers decided to move the event to Prospect Park to serve the many families living nearby.

“The neighborhoods around Prospect Park really represent the full spectrum of NYC, and we’re ideally trying to capture that,” said Rory McEvoy, Director of Special Events for the Parks Department.

Already, workers from Gore Mountain, a ski resort in upstate New York, were out on Friday night blanketing fresh ski-quality snow on the ground, and groomers will come in to even out the snow the day before the event. It’s all natural snow, but made by hand.

Yes, you heard that right, there will be more snow.

“We want to keep the quality of snow consistent,” said McEvoy, because what fell naturally on the ground over the weekend may not be adequate for winter sports. There will be about seven feet of snow in some areas of the event. 

Winter Jam will feature a snow field, where participants can strap on cross-country skis or snowshoes (all equipment is provided by sponsors, and is free of charge to use) and have fun at their own level. There is also a special “Learn-to Area” where beginners can take free skiing and snowboarding lessons down a bunny slope.

Professional and amateur snowboarders will compete for the Red Bull Butter Cup and gear from REI, Columbia, Ski Till I Die and other sponsors, performing such tricks as a crab walk or the "Schniffle My Tiffle’ grab.

And when the cold gets to be too much, participants can warm up with hot chocolate, cider and a variety of lunch offerings at the Pride of New York Winter Market, featuring local vendors, many from Grand Army Plaza's Greenmarket.  

“We want to bring the ski experience to Brooklyn, and provide a fun and enjoyable time for the thousands of people that will show up,” said McEvoy. “For many, it will be their first time, but we hope to think it won’t be their last."

Winter Jam will take place on Saturday, Feb. 5. on Prospect Park's Nethermead meadow from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.