Cardrona
Our guide to the skiing resort of Cardrona
Cardrona is a popular ski resort situated off the Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wanaka. Leaving Wanaka, it's a 20 minute drive while it's a slightly longer 35 minute drive from Queenstown.
The small village is home to a popular ski resort and features the landmark Cardrona Hotel with its distinctive gold rush era character.
The Cardrona ski resort is ideally suited to beginners and intermediate skiers while there are still enough challenges for more advanced skiers. There are two nursury slopes with the larger slope including a 'magic carpet' ride that gently transports beginners back to the top. The resort includes ski equipment hire, a ski school, locker storage and restrooms. There's a cafe, bar and outdoor seating area to take in the views while you take a break from the slopes.
There's also the opportunity to wake up right next to the slopes with 15 self-catering apartments. Breakfast is available from 8.30am in the Mezz Cafe while lunch and dinner can be enjoyed in the resort cafe and restaurants.
Snow Park NZ is a boutique ski resort with ski slopes suitable for all abilities, cross-country skiing, dog sledging and terrain designed for Freeski and Snowboarding. In fact, in 2010, Snowpark hosted the Red Bull training camp. The resort includes a cafe, restaurant and bar and has ski equipment rental on site. Driving from Queenstown, Snow Park NZ is located just past Cardrona village on the left hand side.
