Cardrona Alpine Resort is set to become New Zealand’s largest commercial ski area when its new six-seater high speed chairlift is commissioned in Soho Basin for the 2025 winter.

GM of Cardrona and Treble Cone Experiences Laura Hedley says work began on the installation of the lift this summer which will open up 150 hectares of new terrain.

“The Cardrona experience will become unique in New Zealand with multiple basins, different views and terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels to enjoy.”

She says with the extra capacity the Soho Basin project will create the Cardrona team is focused on maintaining an outstanding guest experience on the mountain. To achieve this existing facilities are being upgraded and the programme includes a multi-year undertaking improving the resort’s base area. 

“There are many touchpoints, from our roads and carparks to food and beverage facilities, to our lifts where we can have an impact on the experience of skiers and snowboarders on our mountains.”

Sustainability is a key priority for Cardrona and Treble Cone and both ski areas are continuing to provide free access road shuttles this winter as well as their zero-landfill waste initiative which ensures no landfill products are sold at either mountain while visitors are encouraged to pack out their own rubbish. 

During summer Cardrona’s rental facility was modernised to improve guest flow and the development includes a new ski and snowboard workshop with a top spec tuning machine providing leading industry technology.

Laura says snowmaking capacity has been increased for this season and an extra 200 spaces have been added to the Valley View carpark on the lower mountain.

“At Treble Cone, the focus continues to be on season reliability with even more snowmaking on the ski area’s Triple Treat trail, the main arterial route of the Home Basin.While ski area expansion will lead to an increase of skier days Cardrona and Treble Cone remain the only ski areas in New Zealand to actively manage capacity through limiting pass sales,” she says. “It’s important to us that everyone who visits our maunga has an incredible time and last year we saw an improved on mountain experience as we introduced capacity management.”

This resulted in a 36 per cent reduction in lift queue wait times on Cardrona’s busiest days.

“This season we will continue to closely monitor numbers and limit the number of passes sold for any given day – so we encourage our visitors to lock in their desired days as early as possible, particularly in our peak season.”