Date: July 7, 2025

Skiers and snowboarders made their first tracks in Soho Basin, marking a major milestone for Cardrona Alpine Resort and New Zealand’s ski industry. The long-anticipated opening of the new Soho Express lift officially expands Cardrona into the country’s largest ski area. While early-season conditions meant the terrain was limited and largely ungroomed – it didn’t dampen the energy on opening day.

“This is such a huge milestone for the Aotearoa ski industry,” said Laura Hedley, Chief Mountains Officer for Cardrona and Treble Cone. “To get this lift and terrain open, after decades of dreaming of what could be… it’s a pretty emotional moment for our entire team.”

The new lift opens up significant new terrain and is set to play a key role in Cardrona’s long-term growth, offering new opportunities for both locals and visitors this season and beyond.

Date: January 23, 2025

It’s an exciting time for Cardrona in 2025. They are making several significant developments to the Cardrona Skifield—new buildings and a new T-bar—and installing a new chairlift into Soho Basin. The new Soho Basin chairlift will increase total lift-accessed skiable terrain by 24%. That would increase the resort from 465ha to 615ha, making Cardrona the largest skifield in New Zealand. The new chairlift will open up a massive amount of skiable terrain at Cardrona, and we can’t wait to ski it.

New Soho Runs, when finished in 2025

The new terrain the 6-seater will open up on Soho Basin

Date: January 14, 2025

Exciting news from Cardrona Alpine Resort in Wanaka – a brand-new T-bar is coming for the 2025 season! This upgrade means faster access to Big Bucks, Little Bucks, Antlers Alley racecourse, and the Border Cross.

With the new lift in action, the White Star lift will have less traffic, allowing you to enjoy quicker laps and more time carving it up on the slopes.