2022 has been a great season at Cardrona. All the lifts have been open on most of the days, and few bad weather days in the southern ski fields of NZ this season. The ski field is a great field for intermediate and beginner skiers. And then for those who like to play and do tricks there is the half pipe, the gravity cross course and board parks. As a careful skier, I am pleased I can watch others do these tricks, but they are not in my way at all.
The field holds the snow.
There is the area near base with the magic carpet, tunnel magic carpet, and then a gondola/or lift to allow you to progress as a learner. Then the other two lifts and whole other basin for the intermediate, skiers.
For the advanced skier, this year the Willow chair was open most days and here more advanced skiers can ski off-piste when conditions allow and have the luxury of few in the queue, the lift is slow, but then there is time for your legs to rest.
Yes, the queues can be long in the intermediate, beginner area in school holidays etc, but then where is it not?
The beauty of this field is the easiness of getting up there. Free buses up from one km up the access road running regularly till about 10, save petrol and your car. It drops you and your gear right at the base ticket office and back down buses running after 1.30. A variety of cafe's and more quiet menu areas to refresh or sit and look at the field.
Cardrona has a great adaptive ski program where persons living with a disability can join beforehand a program that enables them to ski.
This season has been great skiing and still is (open till 16th Oct)