Cardrona Ski Resort Guide
Cardrona, New Zealand
Rated: 4/5 (from 6 ratings) Write a Review
| Recommended For | Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski! |
|---|---|
| Highest Lift | 1,894m |
| Resort Height | 1,504m |
| Nearest Airports | Wanaka and Queenstown |
Cardrona
Cardrona is a premier ski resort located in New Zealand's Southern Alps. It offers diverse terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Summary
With stunning alpine views, a vertical drop of 603 meters and over 345 hectares of skiable terrain, Cardrona caters to winter sports enthusiasts. Its well-groomed pistes and ample snowfall make it a favorite among both locals and tourists.
The ski area of Cardrona is at an altitude of 1,504m.
Cardrona has direct access to 23 marked pistes, served by a total of 7 ski lifts.
The ski resort itself is at 1,504m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible.
Notable Ski Runs
The most difficult run is the 'Arcadia Chutes'.
Snow and Weather
Cardrona enjoys reliable snow conditions, with average snow depths ranging from 1 to 3 meters throughout the season. Regular snowfall and well-maintained pistes ensure excellent skiing, but always check J2Ski for the latest snow information before your trip.
When will it snow in Cardrona?
The next notable snow forecast is 2cm, expected on 8 August.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update.
Snow this week
| Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ski Area Stats
Cardrona Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 8 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 4 | |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 3 | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 7 | |
Cardrona Altitudes
| Highest Lift | 1,894m |
|---|---|
| Lowest Piste | 1,669m |
| Resort Altitude (Cardrona) | 1,504m |
| Max Vertical | 390m |
Ratings & Suitability
| Expert Skiers | |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Skiers | |
| Beginners | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
Skiing
Cardrona's ski area spans 345 hectares with an elevation of 1,900 meters at the summit. Notable pistes include the long and wide Highway 8, perfect for intermediate skiers, and the challenging Doolans for advanced riders, while lifts such as the McDougall's Chondola and the Captain's Basin add to the accessibility.
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders will find exciting options at Cardrona, including the renowned Captain's Terrain Park, which features jumps and rails suitable for all skill levels. The resort has a dedicated beginners park, and excellent off-piste opportunities, ensuring everyone can enjoy the thrill of snowboarding.
Location and Map
Where is Cardrona?
This ski resort is in Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, New Zealand.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Cardrona is Wanaka, 28 minutes drive away.
Queenstown and Invercargill airports are all within three hours drive.
Queenstown and Wanaka are just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
To reach Cardrona, fly into Queenstown Airport, located about 30 minutes away. From there, rental cars and shuttles provide easy access to the resort, ensuring a smooth journey to your alpine adventure.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The seven ski lifts are able to uplift 7,000 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, with 1 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Cardrona open?
We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.
Usual opening is Mid June, and usual closing is Early Oct.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Talking about Cardrona
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Aprés Ski
Apres-ski at Cardrona is vibrant, with popular spots like the Cardrona Hotel offering cozy dining and drinks. For a lively atmosphere, try the Base Café, where you can unwind with friends after a day on the slopes.
