Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand Report: Good Cover And Great Times Served Daily

*It’s absolutely ‘on’ at Cardy’s! Photo: P.M.Fadden*

A leader among the New Zealand recreation community, Cardrona Alpine Resort (Cardy’s for short) is a go-to epicenter for awesomeness this winter season.

*Bird’s eye on the beauty of a ski day at Cardrona. Photo: P.M.Fadden*

With its lofty roost above picturesque Wanaka, NZ, Cardrona is chilling comfortably upon a reliable snowpack thanks to periodic but tenacious snowfalls. It’s offered-up good cover across the resort’s ruffly 1800 feet of vertical rise.

*Captain’s Express Quad as the clouds roll through. Photo: P.M.Fadden*

Its seven lifts, primo park program, and plentiful advanced terrain mean Cardy’s is a legend among NZ locals, plus a bucket list-er for the international ski posse, yet the place still manages to provide ample space to breathe and a relaxed high country feel.

From the carpark to the summit, the pace is cruisie and the times enjoyed here are undeniably great.

*The Chondola churns onwards! Photo: P.M.Fadden*

The action is centered in large part around the Cardrona ‘Chondola’; a chairlift-gondola meld and stroke of industry ingenuity if ever there was one. It’s a natural gravitation point as, from here, the many well-thought-out parks of Cardrona Alpine Resort are at your fingertips.

*A pair of ants assessing the situation around these high-viz sticks at Captain’s. Photo: P.M.Fadden*

Equally radical, but to the free ride tip, is Captain’s. This beloved zone of Cardy’s is a paradise of rock formations, wide gullies, and sweeping steeps. Oftentimes, the lower segments of Captain’s are relatively calm or sunny, while the summit seems like the center of a windy winter storm front.

Unsurprisingly, one among the many praises stacked upon mighty Cardy’s is that the alpine resort is a sure bet to hold something for everyone.