As the temperature in Queenstown begins to drop a palpable excitement surges through the alpine town. Winter in Queenstown means skiing, snowboarding, après ski and all-round good times. Cardrona Alpine Resort is an hour’s drive from Queenstown, over the scenic Cardrona Valley, with slopes for everyone from beginners to seasoned experts. There’s plenty to get excited about during the lead up to winter, including free shuttles up the mountain at Cardrona, two ski fields with one pass (ski at spectacular Treble Cone too) and the promise of new runs on the horizon at Soho Basin.
Cardrona Alpine Resort
As of mid-June, the slopes of Cardrona are buzzing with skiers, snowboarders and sightseers, all making memories at the ultimate ski field. Not only does this Alpine Resort offer everything from beginner lessons and options for kids to park zones and expert runs, but there are also cafes and restaurants to fuel the mission and a handy spot to rent ski gear from. Find out what makes this maunga (mountain) so special to the locals and the Cardrona team with a visit this winter.
Read more about what’s happening at Cardrona in 2024 here.
Getting there
Drive yourself, carpool or make the most of the organised transport options. To save yourself the trouble of driving (and the emissions), grab a bus to Cardrona from Queenstown or Wānaka. This will take you straight to the front door so you can get on the slopes faster!
Don’t forget, your winter 2024 season pass gives you unlimited access to both Cardrona and Treble Cone! Get your passes here.
Conservation at Cardrona
Sustainability has been at the forefront of the minds of the Cardrona team for many years, and small and big changes have made them industry leaders in this space. Single-use coffee cups and plastic bottles have long been removed from the cafes and restaurants at the Alpine Resort, and more recently they have turned their focus to waste and transport. Cardrona has replaced landfill bins with recycling and compost stations to reduce the amount of single-use packaging. Plus, free shuttles are now taking people up the mountain to reduce transport emissions.
Soho Basin
If you haven’t heard the news yet, incredible new ski terrain is coming your way! Directly behind the Cardrona Alpine Resort is Soho Basin, and this land makes for some exciting, playful ski terrain. Soho Basin ski area rights were purchased by Cardrona back in 2018, and so the journey to opening the largest ski area in New Zealand began. Cardrona have been making moves to open chairlift access to Soho, and now keen snow lovers can look forward to 150 hectares of new ski terrain opening by winter 2025!
With a combined Cardrona-Soho ski area, this will be the largest ski area in New Zealand, with epic snow, breathtaking views and all within close proximity to the good vibes of Queenstown and Wānaka.
Eager to check out the conditions and slopes at Soho now? Soho Basin is open and the team are running cat skiing, giving you access to 177 hectares of skiable terrain with access via snowcats! It’s the ultimate spot for intermediate and advanced skiers with steep chutes, challenging terrain and some ungroomed off-piste areas. Enjoy the freedom and ease of Soho as it stands, finishing a run only to climb aboard the cat for your next. Plus, you can book exclusive snow experiences at Soho including booking a private snowcat, heli-skiing and Amisfield dining. Check it out here.
It’s time to explore another side of Mt Cardrona in the Southern Alps! Follow the countdown to winter 2025 and the opening of 150 hectares of new ski terrain at Soho Basin here!
Moving Mountains: a short film
It’s no accident that the terrain parks at Cardrona are world-class. This short documentary follows the hard-working park crew who are building and shaping masterpieces that top-notch athletes put on the world stage.
The mountain is ready! It’s time to get your season pass for Cardrona and Treble Cone. Get your passes here.
This article was created in paid partnership with RealNZ.
