About Cardrona
With over $15 million spent on recent upgrades, it is set to be a ripper of a season at Cardrona! The ski field now boasts the country’s first express chondola, a combination of 6-seater chairs and 8-person gondola cabins. Snow-making capabilities have been improved, and with more reliable snow, the season has been extended a week.
Cardrona has a terrific learner area with a variety of beginner lifts and long, wide, gentle slopes. Fear not you intermediate and seasoned folks, there is a heap of challenging terrain to sink your teeth into. This is the home of the most extensive park and pipe facilities in the Southern Hemisphere, so it’s easy to see why Cardrona is the base for many of New Zealand’s best freestyle skiers and snowboarders. The mountain also plays host to an increasing number of off-season Northern Hemisphere pro athletes.
The ski field is located in the Crown Range between Wanaka and Queenstown, and the breathtaking scenic drive (35 minutes from Wanaka, just over an hour from Queenstown) is a great way to start each day. If you’re the impatient type, book on-mountain accommodation to stay close to the action.
Season Dates*
| Season Start | Season End |
|---|---|
| 17 Jun 2023 | 22 Oct 2023 |
* Targeted dates subject to snow, weather and operating conditions.
Drive Times
| From | To | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wanaka | Cardrona | 35 min |
| Queenstown | Cardrona | 1 hr 10 min |
| Queenstown | Wanaka | 1 hr 10 min |
| Queenstown | Christchurch | 6 hr 00 min |
Why We Love Cardrona
More time – One of the longest snow seasons in New Zealand.
Less queues – Lift capacity 11,000 people per hour.
Base facilities – Snow shop, full rental services including workshop, lockers, medical centre, and general store.
Quality cafès – Base Cafè, Mezz Cafè, Juice & Java, Noodle Bar, Captain’s Pizzeria, Little Meg, and The Lounge.
Cheap lockers – Lockers are available in rental for a small fee of approx NZ$5.
Daily transfers – Daily shuttle transfers available from Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka.
Bonus – Children five years and under receive a FREE lift pass.
Terrain
| Terrain Type | % |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 25% |
| Intermediate | 25% |
| Advanced | 30% |
| Expert | 20% |
Stats
| Skiable Area | 345 ha |
| Elevation | 1,860 m |
| Vertical | 600 m |
| Longest Run | 4.5 km |
| Average Snowfall | 2.9 m p/a |
| Terrain Parks | 4 |
| Pipes | 2 |
| Lifts | 7 |
| Lift Hours | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Trail Map
