Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort is New Zealand’s biggest ski resort with 615ha of terrain! Cardrona offers a relaxed, family-friendly ski and snowboard resort located between Wanaka and Queenstown. Surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery, these two lakeside destinations offer a dizzying array of activities, sights and sounds.
Cardrona’s Ski Season runs from 13 June 2026 to 11 October 2026, see our range of ski packages here.
- Lifts
- 1 x Chondola (gondola/chair lift)
- 1 x 6-seater chairlift
- 4 x 4-seater chairlifts
- 1 x covered learner conveyor lift
- 1 x learner conveyor lift
- 1 x platter tow
- 1 x T-bar
- Cardrona radiates with relaxation and fun
- Pristine groomed runs
- Free-ride terrain
- Wide open beginner trails
- Boasting the most extensive park and pipe facilities in the Southern Hemisphere
- 9 Cafés and Restaurants!
- Childcare and Lessons
Cardrona Ski Field caters for everyone, first-timers to experts and has been fulfilling ski dreams for over 45 years.
Ready to enjoy an extra 150ha of new terrain?
Ski and ride Cardrona’s Soho Basin! A brand new 6-seater detachable Doppelmayr chairlift has made Cardrona New Zealand’s largest ski area. Soho is just behind the top of McDougall’s Chondola and Captain’s Express. It’s awesome for intermediate to advanced skiers and riders, and if you’re familiar with Cardrona’s terrain already, think of it a lot like Captain’s – fun and playful with both groomed runs and off-piste areas.
At Cardrona, it’s all about you!! Book a Cardrona learn to ski package for the ultimate learning experience, or place your children into Ski Kindy lessons while you lap the lifts. With a number of childcare options available, you can let your kids play at the licensed childcare centres or take a few ski lessons of their own (ages 2 and up).
There are 9 cafés and restaurants on the mountain — fast food and drinks at the Base Café; restaurant-style dining upstairs in The Mezz Café, with great views of the mountain; smoothies, juices, and coffees at the Base Bar; cooked-to-order noodles at the Noodle Bar; Mumm champagne, craft beer, coffee & snacks at Vista Bar, The Lounge, offering a full wine list, craft beer, coffee and deli-style bites, Little Meg Café with snacks and coffee on the go, and pizza at The Captains Pizzeria on the other side of the mountain. You are spoilt for choice!
Wanaka ski package at Cardrona
It’s so simple to grab a Wanaka ski package at Cardrona, New Zealand. With a huge range of the latest snowboard and ski gear, clothing, and accessories, these rentals give you the freedom to travel without lugging around heavy equipment. Cardrona allows their rental gear to be used at the surrounding mountains of the Southern Lakes, and the gear can be returned to their offices in Wanaka or Queenstown for maximum convenience.
Cardrona Valley
The stunning views over the Cardrona Valley will inspire you, and the family atmosphere will keep everyone happy for days on end!
Before you head off on your New Zealand ski trip check out our handy resource. What to Pack for Travel in 2026: The Ultimate Checklist
