New Zealand resort increases terrain

10th February 2010, by Chris Gill

Cardrona, New Zealnd

Cardrona in New Zealand is reinstalling an old lift that will open up more terrain and increase vertical in its ski area next season.

The resort will have four chairlifts: the Captains fixed-grip quad, replaced by a fast quad a couple of seasons ago, is being reintroduced to another part of the mountain.

The former Captains quad will be renamed Valley View. Its new position on the mountain will open up more terrain and vertical, including a new downhill course. This will increase the resort’s skiable terrain to 345 hectares and almost double the available vertical. And to continue the expansion, snowmaking and new runs are planned for next season.

To increase the vertical, the lift will start lower down the mountain - near the Whitestar Express. A 40m tunnel will connect the two via the Comeback Trail and permit access to and from the lifts during race events.  More car parking is planned at the base of the new chair.

Cardrona is near Wanaka on the South Island, and the only NZ resort to offer slope-side lodging. It is also a popular family ski area and recent investment has given the resort a real boost in terms of a base area and facilities. The new Valley View quad will mean that the resort can also boast the most chairlifts of any South Island resort too!

• new lifts
• new zealand
• cardrona

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