Let It Snow: Indians Hope Winter Theme Park Ups Ballpark Revenue

By Eric Fisher, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

Indians Will Use 150 Tons Of Man-Made Snow Per Day To Help Create Winter Theme Park

The Indians this offseason are turning Progressive Field into a winter theme park with an aim toward boosting ballpark revenue on days when it is normally closed. Indians Snow Days will begin Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving, and extend until Jan. 2. The club will build a snow tubing hill, ice skating track, a kids' snow mountain and ice rink, and walking trail. The team will use 150 tons of man-made snow per day to supplement what occurs naturally, resulting in more than 5,000 tons over the run of the event. "This first-of-its-kind event will give downtown Cleveland another marquee attraction this winter," said Indians VP/PR Bob DiBiasio. Baseball theming will remain prevalent in the Indians Snow Days, with examples including the name "Batterhorn" for the snow tubing hill and the adult lanes on the hill extending 60 feet, six inches off the ground. The Batterhorn will be presented by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Pricing ranges from $5 for the activities not including the ice skating and snow tubing to $25 for an all-inclusive pass with skate rental and $100 family pass that includes all activities and a food and beverage credit.