Photo: RoLam007 · CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cardrona Alpine Resort
The region's biggest and most family-friendly ski area, about 35 km from Wānaka up the Cardrona Valley.
Cardrona has 615 hectares of skiable terrain and a long, reliable season. It is set up well for first-timers, with a dedicated beginners' area, first-timer lesson packages and a ski kindy for young children. Advanced skiers head for Arcadia, and the terrain parks are the biggest in the southern hemisphere. Lifts run 8.30am to 4pm daily, weather permitting.
Highlights
- 615 hectares of skiable terrain
- Dedicated beginners' area and first-timer lesson packages
- Ski kindy childcare for young children
- The most extensive terrain park in the southern hemisphere
Good to know
- Location
- Cardrona Valley Road, Cardrona
- Start point
- Cardrona Valley Road, Wānaka 9305
- Distance from Wānaka
- 35 km from Wānaka as stated by Lake Wānaka Tourism
- Grade
- Suits beginners through to advanced, with a dedicated beginners' area and challenging terrain in Arcadia
- Season
- Tentative 2026 winter season dates 26 June to 18 October; open 8.30am to 4pm daily, weather dependent
- Cost
- See operator for current pricing
- Family-friendly
- Yes
Season dates are described by the resort as tentative and conditions dependent.
Visiting from Sundale
Cardrona is 35 kilometres from Wānaka up the Cardrona Valley, an easy run from the park first thing. Lifts turn 8.30am to 4pm daily, weather permitting, with rental pickup from 8am and returns before 4.30pm. Leave early on a bluebird weekend, because the road and the carparks fill up fast.
The 2026 season dates are tentative, 26 June to 18 October, and conditions dependent. Beginners get a dedicated area, first-timer lesson packages and a ski kindy for young children, while Arcadia and the terrain parks hold the confident ones all day. See the operator for current pricing on passes and lessons.
Come back and put the wet gear straight through the guest laundry, then warm up over dinner in the communal kitchen. If you would rather someone else cooked, Wānaka town is ten minutes from the park and busy with places to eat right through the winter.
Stay nearby
Opening soon
Nordic Village
Sleep at Nordic Village, a Scandinavian-inspired escape in the Southern Alps.
Hotel-style rooms Mora Motels
Ensuite comfort, ready the moment you arrive.
Questions
When does the season run?
The resort gives tentative 2026 dates of 26 June to 18 October, conditions dependent. Lifts run 8.30am to 4pm daily, weather permitting.
Is it good for first-timers and children?
Yes. There is a specialised beginners' area, first-timer lesson packages and a ski kindy for younger children.
How far is it from Wānaka?
Lake Wānaka Tourism gives it as 35 kilometres, up the Cardrona Valley Road.
Sources
- Tentative 2026 season 26 June to 18 October; open 8.30am to 4pm daily weather dependent; rental pickup from 8am, returns before 4.30pm — source
- 615ha of skiable terrain; specialised beginners' area; 4.5 hour First Timer group lesson; Ski Kindy; most extensive terrain park in the Southern Hemisphere — source
- 35 km from Wānaka; address Cardrona Valley Road; longest scheduled snow season in the South Island; Arcadia terrain — source
Nearby
More things to do.
Snow Farm NZ
New Zealand's only dedicated cross-country ski area, high on the Pisa Range above the Cardrona Valley.
Trails for all levels; described by the operator as a sport for everybody
Treble Cone
Steep, uncrowded terrain and the South Island's biggest vertical, about 30 minutes from Wānaka.
About 30 minutes' drive from Wānaka as stated by the resort and by Lake Wānaka TourismSuits experienced off-piste skiers, with a learner's area and private lessons available
Blue Pools Track
An easy forest walk over two swing bridges to river pools that run an extraordinary blue.
30 minutes one wayEasy walking track
Your Wānaka basecamp
Make Sundale your base.
Cabins, studios, motels and soft-grass camping, five minutes from the water and close to everything above.