In winter 2025, Cardrona Alpine Resort expanded in a big way with the opening of Soho Basin, an additional 150 hectares of terrain serviced by a new lift. The ski resort is now the largest in New Zealand, with 615 hectares of rideable terrain.
Here’s everything you need to know about Soho Basin, plus advice for planning your visit to Cardrona Alpine Resort.
The opening of Soho Basin is a long-awaited milestone for Cardrona Ski Field.
Before Soho Basin opened, all the groomed trails at Cardrona lay on the same face of the ridge as the access road, with lifts such as McDougall’s Chondola finishing at the top of the ridge.
The other side of the ridge had long beckoned skiers with its excellent snow cover and exciting terrain. However, until 2025, the land had been reserved for private snow-cat ski tours operated separately from Cardrona Alpine Resort.
Plans to add Soho Basin to Cardrona and open the terrain for public skiing were announced back in 2018. But it took another seven years for that dream – of creating New Zealand’s largest ski resort – to come to fruition.
Now, for the first time, Soho Basin is open to all visitors, offering a whole new ski experience. Designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, Soho Basin offers both groomed and off-piste terrain.
You’ll find the new Soho Express 6-seater serving the terrain in Soho Basin. The high-speed Doppelmayr chairlift offers a quick and easy ride to maximise your skiing time.
There are no eating options at Soho Basin – at least not yet. But the Vista Bar at the top of McDougall’s Chondola sits just on the other side of the ridge.
Positioned with a southwesterly aspect, Soho Basin tends to have good snow cover throughout the winter. In addition, the snow falls early in the season and tends to stick around until well into spring!
Expansive bowls, undulating ridgelines, and long descents characterise Soho Basin. The terrain is often compared to Captain’s Basin, with a fun and playful character and lots of space to explore.
The views are spectacular as well, looking out toward the rugged peaks of the Main Divide and over to Queenstown and the Wakatipu Basin.
Located 40 minutes from Wanaka and 1 hour 15 minutes from Queenstown, Cardrona Alpine Resort is one of the most easily visited ski fields on the South Island.
When you reach the main parking area, you can take McDougall’s Chondola straight from the Cardrona base building and follow signs to reach Soho Basin. Otherwise, drop down directly behind the top of Captain’s Express.
Cardrona is a popular destination for both Queenstown and Wanaka ski holidays, and the opening of Soho Basin only adds more reasons to visit.
These are a few of the reasons we think Cardrona is one of the best ski fields in New Zealand:
When you visit Cardrona:
From learn to ski packages and family ski holidays to sightseeing and “ski max” packages, we have your next New Zealand ski holiday covered.
If you want to experience the new terrain at Soho Basin, these are some of our favourite ski packages visiting Cardrona Alpine Resort.
Stay in Wanaka and enjoy a fun-filled four days of skiing at Cardrona and Treble Cone, followed by two nights to unwind and explore Queenstown. As New Zealand’s most family-friendly ski field – with lessons and childcare available for almost all ages – Cardrona is the perfect family ski destination.
It’s easy to add lessons or childcare to this package. Childcare at Cardrona starts at 3 months old, while lessons range from first-timer packages to advanced ski lessons.
Or, if your family includes more advanced skiers, the Wanaka ski pass allows you to split your time between Cardrona and Treble Cone.
We think 5 days is the perfect duration for a first-time ski trip. Three days of lessons and lift passes gives you the chance to advance to an enjoyable level, without tiring out those new muscles too much!
Cardrona is the ideal destination for beginning skiers. Wide-open beginner terrain allows you to quickly build confidence, while expert teachers will have you pushing your limits.
If you have limited time but want to visit as many New Zealand ski fields as possible, this one is for you. Four days of combo lift passes allow you to ski four of the top NZ resorts:
Two rest days allow for flexibility in case the weather is unfavourable, or you can even add extra ski days once you decide which mountain is your favourite.
If this is your first time visiting the South Island, make the most of your time by combining skiing with sightseeing!
Ski all four of the Queenstown region’s ski fields. Indulge in a Central Otago wine tour. Travel up the wild West Coast, past New Zealand’s most famous glaciers. Ride the iconic TranzAlpine Train.
Yes, the standard Cardrona Alpine Resort lift pass covers all terrain throughout the resort. This pass is valid at both Cardrona and Treble Cone, so if you book a multi-day pass, you can divide your time between the two ski fields.
Soho Basin is 1925m at the top and 1425m at the base, allowing for 500m of vertical rise.
Yes, Soho Basin is less crowded than the main slopes of Cardrona. The largest crowds are concentrated around McDougall’s Chondola through to the base building.
Soho Basin lies on the opposite side of the ridge as the rest of Cardrona Alpine Resort. This can mean deeper and longer-lasting snow cover.
In addition, the views are different – where the main part of the ski field overlooks Cardrona Valley, Soho Basin looks out across the mountains toward the Divide and through to Queenstown.
Yes, Soho Basin is an excellent choice for powder skiing! Before joining Cardrona Ski Field, Soho Basin was a top choice for private powder skiing tours. And with great off-piste terrain, you can often find pockets of undisturbed powder in the days after it snows.
No, beginners will find Soho Basin challenging, as the terrain is mainly intermediate through advanced.
However, Cardrona offers excellent progression terrain to help skiers level up, so beginners may be able to ski Soho Basin after a day or two of additional practice.
Rebecca Vickers is a former travel consultant and travel writer who skied at Cardrona many times while living in Wanaka.
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