Cardrona Goes Massive: New Zealand’s Largest Ski Area Unveils Huge Expansion

Photo: Queenstown NZ

Winter is firing up in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of New Zealand's favorite playgrounds just claimed the top spot. Ahead of its 2025 season, Cardrona Alpine Resort has officially become the country's largest ski area after a massive expansion into the legendary Soho Basin.

For years, the terrain just over the ridge from McDougall's Chondola and Captain's Express has been the stuff of local legend. Now, it's open for business. The expansion includes the brand-new, high-speed Soho Express six-seater chairlift, unlocking 150 hectares (370 acres) of new intermediate and advanced terrain. Get ready for wide-open groomers and playful off-piste zones that will have you lapping until your legs give out.

But the crew at Cardrona didn't stop there. They’ve also added a new T-bar in the Main Basin to keep the lap traffic flowing on Big Bucks, Gravity Cross, and the racecourse. Plus, they’re upgrading the base area with a new building for retail and a restaurant, and have made significant improvements to snowmaking and mountain infrastructure.

The numbers don't lie: Cardrona now boasts 615 hectares (around 1,500 acres) of skiable terrain and 380 meters (1,200 ft.) of vertical. With fresh snow already on the ground and more in the forecast, the season is shaping up to be an all-timer.