Cardrona is one of New Zealand's most popular ski resorts, with wide open trails and a world-class terrain park.
The village of Cardrona is 20 minutes drive from Wānaka and during the late 1800’s was at the centre of the region’s gold mining industry. You can still visit the historic Cardrona Hotel today, which is a popular après-ski destination during the winter and has a large sunny garden for summer dining.
From June to early October, Cardrona Alpine Resort(opens in new window) is open for skiing and snowboarding with wide open trails great for beginner or intermediate skiers plus a world-class terrain park. On the opposite side of the valley is Snow Farm(opens in new window), New Zealand’s only cross-country (Nordic) skiing area with 55kms of trails to explore.
You can also hike into a backcountry hut on snow shoes or feel the exhilaration of a sled-dog ride. For a special occasion, visit Soho Basin(opens in new window), an exclusive ski area which offers private cat-skiing.
In the summer months Cardrona Alpine Resort is an ideal place for hiking and sightseeing, mountain biking and mountain carting. The valley is also a great place to go horse trekking. A tour of the Cardrona Distillery is a must do, to learn how award winning spirits including whisky, gin and vodka are being produced from the valley’s pure alpine water.
