New Zealand’s winter season kicked off with a bang, with lots of early snowfall setting the stage for an exciting few months on the slopes.
This year, Cardrona Alpine Resort has been at the centre of the buzz, launching its much-anticipated Soho Basin expansion and officially becoming New Zealand’s largest ski resort.
On 14 June, Cardrona’s 2025 ski season began with perfect conditions: a stunning sunrise above the clouds, crisp temperatures, and no wind in sight.
Snowmaking guns fired at full blast as the resort team worked to open even more terrain and lifts in the coming weeks. Eager skiers and snowboarders wasted no time – some lined up at the bottom of Cardrona’s access road from 1am, hoping to snag the coveted “First Chair” t-shirts. By 5:30 am, when the road opened, it was a race to the McDougall’s Chondola lift line, where six lucky riders earned bragging rights as the first to ride up for the season.
While experienced skiers carved their first turns down McDougall’s, newcomers and families made the most of the Beginners’ Area, soaking up the fresh snow and bluebird day.
“It’s incredible to kick off the 2025 season and see so many happy people out there,” Chief Mountains Officer for Cardrona and Treble Cone Laura Hedley said.
This year’s Opening Day also marked the culmination of one of the biggest development summers in modern New Zealand ski history.
The resort’s transformation includes the new Soho Basin and Soho Express lift, adding 150 hectares of terrain for guests to explore. Opening at the start of July, the new Soho Basin saw its first excited riders test untouched slopes, mostly ungroomed and recommended for advanced skiers and boarders.
The “Soho It Begins” t-shirts were claimed by the first six to load the new lift, marking the start of an exciting new era.
“It’s a huge milestone for the Aotearoa ski industry,” Hedley said.
“To open this terrain after decades of dreaming is a pretty emotional moment for our team.”
Alongside the new terrain, Cardrona has unveiled a new base building with an atrium, expanded dining and retail options, a new t-bar for world-class training facilities, upgraded snowmaking, sealed lower access road sections, and improved carparking.
“It was down to the wire,” said Hedley.
“Our team worked late into the night to have the new spaces ready. We’re so stoked with how it’s turned out and can’t wait for everyone to enjoy these new facilities.”
With winter now well underway, Aotearoa New Zealand’s long ski season, typically through to spring, has been primed for one of its biggest yet.
