Oceania
Cardrona Alpine Resort Resort Guide
Fair · 2026 season average
Projected to open June 25, 2027 · average of 115 verified open days
Best months to book: August, July, September · last season + 30-yr record
Scroll for happiness
Projected to open Jun 25 — closed October 18
Weather data is still collected for informational purposes.
Last Snowfall
Oct 31
Past 24 Hours
2cm
Resort reportedPast 48 Hours
3cm
Past 10 Days
3cm
7-Day Forecast
0cm
Snow Depth
--
Powder Days
10
2026 season
Bluebird Days
1
2026 season
Resort Guide
Cardrona Alpine Resort is located in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, between Queenstown and Wānaka. The resort features over 400 hectares of skiable terrain, catering to all ability levels with wide-open beginner slopes, challenging advanced runs, and extensive terrain parks. Cardrona is known for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, modern facilities, and reliable snow conditions, making it a popular choice for both recreational skiers and professional athletes. Key amenities include on-mountain accommodation, multiple dining options, and a comprehensive snowsports school.
Gallery
Click to expand • 3 total photos
Terrain & lifts
Resort-reported stats for Cardrona Alpine Resort
Lifts
10
Skiable area
1520 ac
Longest run
4.5 km / 2.8 mi
Share of terrain by difficulty
- Beginner20% of terrain
- Intermediate25% of terrain
- Advanced30% of terrain
- Expert25% of terrain
Lift fleet
- Chondola1
- High-speed quad3
- Quad chair1
- Surface lift1
Resort Info
Season dates
Future dates are operator estimates and may change.
Ski passes
Access tiers change by season — confirm benefits on the pass operator's site.
Top Après Ski
Cardrona Hotel – Renowned for its historic charm and welcoming atmosphere, this iconic bar and restaurant offers hearty après-ski fare, local craft beers, and a cozy fireside setting, making it a favorite gathering spot for skiers and snowboarders after a day on the slopes.
Season vs Historic
Updated Fri, Oct 30, 09:05 PM UTC
185cm
Season Total
This Season to Date
-28%
vs 5-Year Avg
258cm avg by now
+21%
vs 30-Year Avg
153cm avg by now
258cm
5-Yr Avg by Now
This season is at 184.7 cm to date. The last completed season totaled ~185.8 cm. That's 28% below the 5-year average (258 cm). Versus the 30-year baseline: 21% above the 30-year average (153 cm).
Cardrona Alpine Resort Season Snowfall
Loading the ledger…
Cardrona Alpine Resort Snow History
Average annual snowfall is 147cm with an average of 29 snowfall days per season. The recent decade runs 42% above this average (209cm over the last ten tracked seasons). The table below shows monthly averages across 30 seasons of archive data (modeled snowpack at mid-elevation).
| Month | Avg Snowfall | Snowfall Days | Avg Base Depth | Max Base Depth | Biggest Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 23cm | 5 days | 12cm | 22cm | 9cm |
| July | 31cm | 6 days | 23cm | 33cm | 10cm |
| August | 29cm | 6 days | 24cm | 35cm | 9cm |
| September | 31cm | 6 days | 13cm | 28cm | 9cm |
| October | 25cm | 5 days | 3cm | 16cm | 9cm |
Source: SnowSure archive · Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis at mid-elevation. Depth is modeled, not resort-reported.
SnowSure Score by Month
Season 2026
28.6
Season Average
115 days scored
59
Best Day
29 Aug
5
Excellent+ Days
Scored 50 or above
3
Powder Days
6cm+ fresh snow
Highest-scoring days
June 2026
- 1930 Jun
- 1628 Jun
- 1629 Jun
July 2026
- 466 Jul4cm
- 335 Jul9cm
- 319 Jul
August 2026
- 5929 Aug
- 5527 Aug29cm
- 4930 Aug
September 2026
- 521 Sep
- 4910 Sep4cm
- 4927 Sep5cm
October 2026
- 5215 Oct2cm
- 5116 Oct
- 401 Oct
September scored highest for Cardrona Alpine Resort in 2026. Based on 115 days the resort was verified open. One season of scores describes what happened, not what to expect.
Season at a Glance
Current season(2026)
Opened Jun 26, 2026
Scheduled close: Oct 18, 2026
Multi-season averages will appear once SnowSure has tracked more than one full season.
Best Months to Visit
August
Peak Season
July
Peak Season
September
Good
June
Good
Note: Based on typical ski season patterns for this region.
Frequently asked questions about Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Where is Cardrona Alpine Resort?
- Cardrona Alpine Resort is a ski resort in New Zealand.
- How high is Cardrona Alpine Resort?
- Cardrona Alpine Resort runs from a base elevation of 1,260 m (4,134 ft) to a summit of 1,909 m (6,263 ft), giving a vertical drop of 649 m (2,129 ft).
- How big is Cardrona Alpine Resort?
- Cardrona Alpine Resort has 1,520 acres (615 hectares) of skiable terrain, 52 marked runs and 10 lifts.
- Which ski pass covers Cardrona Alpine Resort?
- Cardrona Alpine Resort is on the Ikon Pass. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.
- When is ski season at Cardrona Alpine Resort?
- Cardrona Alpine Resort typically operates from June to October. Exact opening and closing dates shift each year with snowfall — check the resort's current season dates before booking.
- How much snow does Cardrona Alpine Resort get in a typical season?
- Cardrona Alpine Resort averages 114 inches / 290 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.
