Planning on going to New Zealand for the winter and looking for a ski destination? Cardrona Alpine Resort should be your next stop. Located in the South Island of New Zealand, this fun and family friendly resort is known for being ‘higher and drier’ – its location, altitude and south facing slopes mean the mountain gets more snow than many of the other ski resorts in the area, and it sticks around for longer. Cardrona Alpine Resort is well known as one of New Zealand’s best ski resorts, tucked into the Cardrona valley between Wanaka and Queenstown.
Whilst the North island does have some ski areas, including a live volcano, the South Island, with the spectacular Southern Alps mountain range, is really where the best and most varied skiing can be found. And, nestled right into a valley in the middle of the Southern Lakes district is this fantastic resort.
Cardrona offers day passes, family passes, multi days and season passes, so book in your holiday and fill your days with fresh powder and world class facilities. No visit to this country is complete without making at least one stop at this Central Otago playground.
Why is Cardrona famous?
Cardrona is well known for being a kid-friendly ski area, with three wide basins tracked with ski slopes from beginner to advanced, an epic terrain park and ski-schools for all levels. With five chairlifts and fantastic facilities, it’s the perfect progression mountain for skiing and boarding, taking you from the magic carpet to the cruisy terrain of McDougall’s lift, and before you know it, you’ll be getting deep in fresh powder in the Arcadia chutes. It’s home to the NZ Park and Pipe team, and sports four terrain parks, two half pipes and a gravity-cross course. So for those who like to play, this is your place.
Cardrona Alpine Resort also boasts New Zealand’s only combined gondola chairlift, and is often one of the first ski areas in New Zealand to open each winter – so you’ll be able to enjoy skiing well before other parts of NZ.
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Is Queenstown or Wanaka closer to Cardrona?
Cardrona is located in the Cardrona Valley, between Wanaka and Queenstown on the lovely but windy Crown Range. It’s much closer to Wanaka, though, which is where most people choose to stay. The drive to the base of the mountain from Wanaka takes about 20 minutes, while from Queenstown it’s about a 40-minute drive. Plenty of people make the trip from Queenstown though, and the crown range is a glorious road, offering spectacular views – just make sure you’re carrying chains.
Cardrona Alpine Resort can be easily accessed by car from Wanaka or Queenstown, but there is also public transport available. As part of their sustainability efforts, one of the their new initiatives is free shuttle busses up the road from the base of the mountain. There are also busses which can bring you from either Queenstown, so if driving isn’t your cup of tea, there’s plenty of opportunities to take a back seat.
Can you stay on Cardrona?
If you fancy walking just one minute to the chairlift in the morning and being first in the queue, there are 15 mountain chalets up Cardrona so you can wake up right in the thick of the action (and hopefully the fresh snow).
They are perfect for families, couples or groups of friends travelling together, and the staff are more than happy to add beds, fold couches out or move things around so that everyone fits. Their Mezz restaurant is open for dinner service every night, so if it’s full ski immersion you’re after, this is the place to rest your head.
If you don’t fancy staying up quite so high, there are also plenty of accommodation available in Wanaka and Queenstown, or, just down the hill at the Cardrona Hotel, one of the region’s most special attractions, as well as accommodation. This spot is absolutely iconic, established in the 1800’s and being one of the last remaining buildings of the region’s Gold Rush. The historic, much-loved pub and hotel has gone from providing shelter and entertainment to miners to being a classic spot to stop for a mulled wine, hot choccie and steaming bowl of wedges after a big day skiing.
Quick visit not quite enough? Plenty of people choose to stay at the Cardrona Hotel for their ski holiday, soaking up the history of the beautiful old building, and making the most of a quick trip up the mountain in the morning.
Nearby Wanaka is a great little town, with plenty of accommodation and, if you fancy a day off the ski slopes, lots to explore. The lake is beautiful, there are plenty of local walking trails to explore, and if it’s ski gear you need, the town offers every manner of outdoor shop. There are parks for the little ones, and the bar and dining scene, whilst not quite as bustling as Queenstown, certainly comes alive with the snow.
How long does it take to drive up Cardrona?
From Cardrona Valley at the bottom of the mountain, it takes about twenty minutes to drive to the top carpark, although in the school holidays it can take a fair bit longer. It’s a breathtaking road, so there’s no need to rush. Plus, it gives you plenty of time to pump some tunes, get amped for the day, and locate any lost gloves, beanies, neck warmers and chocolate bars.
What time do the Cardrona lifts open?
During winter, the chairlifts start around 8am and run until 4pm. There are four main chairlifts, servicing blabla runs . The lifts start running around 08:00 am during winter season and close down between 16:30 pm-17: 00pm depending on conditions up on top.
If you want to be in for fresh tracks, it pays to get up there extra early (especially on a powder day). The main cafe opens early and does great coffee, and there’s a great vibe when there’s fresh snow.
Is Cardrona good for beginners ?
Cardrona is known as one of the most family friendly ski resorts in New Zealand. As well as the wide open beginner’s slopes, there’s a fully licensed childcare center (aka Pengi’s Nursery and Ski Kindy) for those little ones who aren’t quite ready to hit the slopes. The minute they are, though, there’s ski school options from under fives and up! Kids from 5 to 14 can join half or full day group lessons, or jump into a multi day course to really get them racing ahead.
You’re never too old to learn, either, and there are plenty of lessons on offer for adults through the Cardrona Ski School. Combined with the terrain, this makes this place perfect for learning to ski or board, as well as for not-so-new skiers who want a little more confidence before heading out onto the rest of the mountain. Plus, Cardrona features eight different cafes to fuel up and rest your weary bones, and no one’s going to judge you if you spend more time checking them out than on the slopes. Learning to ski can be exhausting!
What is the best time to ski in New Zealand?
The winter months are June through to August, and the best time to ski in New Zealand is later in winter – July or August. This is when the snow tends to be best, and the temperatures are low enough that the ski resorts can use their snow makers at night, too. If you’re after cheaper prices, fewer crowds, warm days and spring snow, make the trip in September.
What is there to do in Cardrona in the summer?
The fun doesn’t stop when the snow does. In summer, Cardrona becomes a mountain biking mecca – the highest in the country, in fact, with the terrain making for epic trails from beginner to advanced. Even better, you can hitch a ride up with your bike on the lift. Of course, if you prefer to earn your turns, no one’s stopping you from riding uphill, too.
There’s a free learner zone for newbie bikers in the summer, to get your legs pedal-ready before hitting the lift and some of the gnarlier verticals.
