Cardrona to become NZ's largest skifield

Cardrona will more than double in size, to more than 900ha of skiable terrain as part of a new partnership. Photo / Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Cardrona Alpine Resort is about to more than double in size which will make it New Zealand's largest skifield.

A new partnership between Cardrona and Queenstown businessman John Darby has been formed.

It will result in New Zealand's largest alpine resort, incorporating tourism giant Real Journeys-owned Cardrona and a new Soho Basin ski area.

Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu currently has the largest skifield.

All the approvals are in place for the staged development of ski area facilities in Soho Basin - which faces Queenstown and incorporates 500ha of high-altitude ski terrain, offering up to 500 vertical metres of skiing.

It covers all the south and west faces of Mt Cardrona, and includes the two Willow Basins which directly adjoin Cardrona's southern boundary.

Snow groomers on Cardrona. Photo / Simon Darby.

Soho Basin, part of Glencoe Station, was first acquired by Mr Darby more than 10 years ago.

He says he's been skiing it with friends and family for more than 20 winter seasons.

"With Cardrona, I'm now looking forward to opening up this same opportunity to the public. It's a very special place and great care will be taken to preserve this wonderful alpine
environment.''

Queenstown-based RJs chief executive Richard Lauder said it was something the company had been looking at for a while.

"We're both extremely pleased that we can work together to build a world-class ski area with integrated facilities and amenities that will be both NZ's largest mountain resort and a truly world-class ski destination.''

As a result, Cardrona will more than double in size, to more than 900ha of skiable terrain. Access to Soho will come from the top of the McDougall's Chondola and there would be facility development at the top of the mountain to support it.

Development of the ski area and other facilities will start once Cardrona's masterplan was completed.

The expansion also means Cardrona's summer operations can grow - at present it offers mountain biking, mountain carting, dining, events and stargazing
experiences.