Cardrona Alpine Resort

Cardrona sits in a broad basin at around 1,650 to 1,940 metres on the Crown Range between Wanaka and Queenstown, and its character is different from the steeper Otago fields: wide, open, sunny, with a lot of gentle intermediate terrain, which makes it the usual choice for families and learners. It also holds the country's most developed terrain parks and halfpipes and hosts international freestyle competition, so the two populations coexist. A chondola opened in 2020 and the Soho Basin expansion added terrain on the far side. Unusually for New Zealand there is on-mountain accommodation. In summer the same lifts run a downhill bike park and sightseeing. The access road is unsealed and climbs steeply from the valley; chains are sometimes required, and the field can close for wind, though less often than the more exposed Canterbury fields.

What you actually see

• The open basin - wide, sunny, mostly intermediate terrain.
• The terrain parks - the country's main freestyle setup, with halfpipes.
• The Soho Basin - the newer expanded terrain.
• The summer bike park - lift-served downhill from December.

When to go

June to October for snow; December to April for biking. Weekends and Queenstown school holidays are busy. Check road status - chains may be required.

Honest expectations

Steep-terrain skiers find it tame. The access road is unsealed and steep. Lift queues build on holiday weekends. Wind closures are less frequent than at Mount Hutt but still happen.

Nearby

The Crown Range road and Cardrona village are below; Wanaka is north.