At See New Zealand, we believe the mountains belong to everyone – and that’s exactly the philosophy behind Ride Tamariki, part of The Cardrona Foundation at Cardrona and Treble Cone. It’s a reminder that the beauty and joy of snow isn’t just for those who can afford it, but something that should be shared with young hearts and minds across Aotearoa.
Ride Tamariki exists to make sure every Kiwi child has the chance to experience snow sports, regardless of circumstance
Whether it’s through local school programmes, community day experiences, or longer overnight adventures, the project works with youth groups to bring children up the maunga (mountain) for lessons, snow play, and personal development on snow.
What stands out to us is that this isn’t just about skiing or snowboarding – it’s about inclusion, opportunity and connection to place. Many kids who might never otherwise see snow get to taste that first run, stand in the crisp alpine air, and maybe even fall in love with the mountains forever.
What does Ride Tamariki do?
Ride Tamariki works with local schools and community organisations to help remove barriers for children who may not otherwise have the chance to ski or snowboard. The focus is simple: creating access to the mountains in a supportive, welcoming environment.
The programme currently runs day experiences on the mountain with local youth and community groups, alongside overnight visits for young people from outside the region. These experiences include on-snow lessons, snow play, and time spent learning and connecting in an alpine setting.
Looking ahead, Ride Tamariki plans to introduce a scholarship pathway for participants who develop a deeper connection to snow sports, with a longer-term goal of supporting 1,000 children to ski or snowboard at Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone over the next five years.
