The indescribable buzz that comes from being up the mountain during ski season is one that everyone should have the option to experience. A feeling of connection to the mountain stirs in your body. Two of the top South Island ski fields, Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone, want each and every person with an inkling to get amongst snow sports to have the ability to do so. Their aim is to target accessibility, inclusivity, and all communities.
These Lakes District ski fields, close to the alpine towns Queenstown and Wānaka, are in the heart of southern skiing and snowboarding. It’s one of the best things to do in winter. On the slopes are where core memories are made, and invaluable time with family and friends is spent.
Cardrona and Treble Cone are on a mission to make snow sports accessible to anyone. This movement began with a film and campaign at the start of Winter 2022 that tackled gender representation in media and doubled down on supporting women in the ski industry.
1. All In
Making the mountains for everyone is at the crux of the All In campaign. This means making the ski fields accessible, supportive and safe for all communities. The All In campaign was started by Cardrona and Treble Cone to acknowledge them under-representing women in their marketing media. They addressed this, committed to equitable gender representation, and challenged other ski areas to do the same. They also created women-led days such as Ngā Wāhine ō te Maunga / Women of the Mountain, an annual event for women who want to upskill in a safe and encouraging environment.
Watch the All In, 2022 film here.
2. All In on Treble Cone
In 2023, their All In campaign continues to do big things. They released a film highlighting the invaluable enjoyment everyone can get from snow sports. It was paired with fundraising for the Halberg Foundation (a foundation for adaptive athletes) and the Cardrona Adaptive Foundation by donating $1 for every ‘like’ the film got. The resort ended up raising $5,000 for the initiative!
Watch All In on Treble Cone Summit here.
3. The Cardrona Adaptive Programme
Adaptive skiers are being supported by the Cardrona Adaptive Programme and Snow Sports New Zealand (Adaptive). This programme is designed to support people with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments on the slopes. This is where modified skis and snowboards, sit-skis and outriggers come in. This programme is made possible thanks to some incredible volunteers, trained to provide free support for those who need assistance. There are even adaptive snow sports lessons on offer. Access is financially subsidised with discounts on lift passes and rental gear because removing barriers and making the mountain accessible is a priority.
4. The Cardrona Foundation
There’s a strong connection between the mountain team and their community. From this connection, The Cardrona Foundation was created. This foundation has four major pillars, each with a goal to give back.
The Kārearea Project works to protect the kārearea, New Zealand’s only native falcon species. Cardrona’s love for the mountain is reflected in the Plant a Seed project, which involves native trees being planted and educating the next generation. The Ride Tamariki project is in place to make sure there’s no barrier between any child in the region getting access to the mountain, because of financial situation.
A number of these projects reach far and wide and have associations with local iwi, the Department of Conservation and others. All In has now been added to the Cardrona Foundation, which will make the mountain accessible, supportive, and safe place for all communities.
This article was created in paid partnership with RealNZ.
