Industry News
The future of ski tourism is continuing to evolve, as Cardrona Alpine Resort—New Zealand’s biggest ski resort—recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chongli District Ice and Snow Association, a top Chinese ski resort region. RealNZ, the Queenstown tourism company that owns the Cardrona Alpine Resort, plans to cooperate with the Chongli District Ice and Snow Association on talent identification, product development, marketing initiatives, industry training, and policy alignment, with the ultimate goal of accelerating snow and ice sport participation globally.
“It reflects our shared belief that great ski destinations are not competitors, they can and should elevate each other for the betterment of the sport and increased enjoyment of our guests,” RealNZ Chief Customer and Sales Officer Scott McNab said at the signing, according to Ski Industry News.
The Chongli region is China’s most significant region when it comes to skiing. This region hosted multiple events of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games and is home to seven different ski resorts, making it a significant skiing hotspot and winter sports haven in China. A 90-minute train ride northwest of China’s capital, Beijing, the Chongli district’s cold weather and abundance of snow guns allow it to maintain consistent snow quality throughout the winter months. With the popularity of winter sports rising in China, the Chongli District Ice and Snow Association has become one of the top destinations for ski tourism in Asia.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is no stranger to prestige and popularity as well. It became New Zealand’s biggest ski resort in 2025 with the addition of 150 hectares of skiable terrain in the Soho Basin. Cardrona also hosts multiple International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) events throughout the year, ensuring the resort keeps high snow quality and stays competition-ready.
The Cardrona and Chongli agreement marks another key alliance as resorts across the world continue to collaborate. As Vail Resorts and Ikon continue to collaborate with European resorts, this new agreement shows a more worldwide interest in winter sports, with New Zealand and Asia getting into mix. While the agreement does not address a pass that grants access to Cardrona Alpine Resort and resorts across the Chongli District, this agreement is still notable in two regions of the world where skiing is emerging as a popular activity.
As agreements like the one between Cardrona and the Chongli District continue to form, it is obvious that the world of skiing and snowboarding is ever-changing. As more people across the world find their passion for skiing, more collaborations will be made to ensure that everyone can find joy in winter sports.
