Cardrona Alpine Resort Review

Undoubtedly New Zealand's best ski field. And there are mountain bike trails for summer.

Went in summer to walk around the tops. The Captain's Circuit offers absolutely spectacular views across the mountains for miles in every direction with some lovely craggy outcrops. There was not another soul on the track, so very peaceful. Reasonably short walk (2 to 4 hours depending how many photo stops you take) and not too energetic, but be sure to take warm clothing as the wind can be keen, even in summer.

My wife and I skiied at Cardrona on Monday. Outside peak season. Commuted from Queenstown. 2 hour 15 minute travel time to the mountain from just out of city central. 4 hours and 30 minutes travel time in total return for the day. We tried to organise our skis and boots the afternoon before but couldn't arrange to pick them up from their town base in the morning of travel so suggested we organise in the morning on mountain. We paid extra for performance ski and boots.
On arrival at Cardrona had very little performance range of skis and boots on mountain and was told by staff after waiting 30 minutes for service that I would have to try regular boots and rejoin the line from the basic rentals as they didn't have my size...a very common 25.5!

Women's toilets at base over flowing out the doors.

Once on the snow we waited over 25 minutes for the lifts. Snow quality was good but once on snow (after 10. 30 am) it very chopped up. We saw lots of accidents and collisions on mountain due to the numbers.

Captain's Cafe was dirty and overpriced. Women's toilets disgusting here too. Toilet paper dispensers broken, 3 toilets out of order, doors fallen off. $37 for 2 x pieces margherita pizza, a beer and soft drink. The pizza was served in bowls.

We spent over $500.00 for one day and extremely disappointed with customer care, experience and facilities. Being we skiied on a Monday, we can only imagine the level of service on weekends and holidays! Wanaka and Q'town and surrounding ski fields are struggling to keep up with the demand. We were planning to ski two more days but after day 1 we didn't return.

Great place for kids to learn to ski. Friendly, helpful staff makes life easy with little ones

Very popular but good gor beginners
If you are used to mountaims like France or Canada, go to Treble Cone

Best service!
It's a place where you can ski on the clouds.
All are nice and beautiful.

The service by all staff here is impeccable and a huge shoutout to Sophie who put in a huge effort to find my lost glove and then left the kindest note in my room with the glove. Resort is very well kept and very well presented. Housekeeping was really really good and high quality every day of our 5 day stay. We did have 2 issues and that was the window seal being broken but it was fixed the same day we asked and while we were skiing so we didn t even notice that the maintenance man had been. The other issue was that the fire alarm went off 4 times in 5 days which was disturbing but it s better to be safe then have the building burn down. Overall extremely happy

The staff are excellent, highly recommend learning/skiing here.

I work here summer / winter and I think it s pretty great!

Excellent set up with amazingly friendly and helpful staff.

Just great all round vibes, majority sunny days too which makes for great riding!

This is my favourite snowboarding mountain in the Wanaka/Queenstown region. The terrain is great, awesome park and decent snow most of the time. The fields are relatively wide and it doesn't feel too crowded.

Big place, lots to do for the advanced people, not a lot there for the beginners. Could do with more magic carpets, and chair lifts.

Was pretty good confused how such a big place has a B health rating though. Snow was mostly man-made but that's pretty standard nowadays. Good range of trails too pickle

I did the mountain carting. It was amazing. So much fun.

Amazing!! Apart from the fact that you can stay where your door step is the ski field, the people here are very friendly and welcoming. They are always willing to answer all questions and point you in the right direction. The ski field its self has a variety of options for every ski level. A good area for the total beginners to get their snow legs and then a few beginner runs to practice those skills. Personally i think the mountain is better suited to intermediate and advanced skiers. There is much more variety in ski runs for the blue, red and black level skiers. All the more reason to come often and improve your ski ability

The ski kindy is amazing! A lovely group of leaders make the days fun and exciting for the littlies or aren't skiing. Our son (1yr) had never been to a child care facility before and he had a blast.

Great runs. Just need improvement in the food department.

Went mountain carting so much fun with mates racing eatch other definitely coming back for sure!!!!

Great Ski resort with a range of runs for all levels. Try to get away from the first chair unless you are a beginner as it is slow and constantly stopping. Has a big terrain park, and 3 or 4 chairs. Didn't try the food and drink but rental equipment was decent.

A great field for intermediate riders, awesome park

Fantastic atmosphere and definetly the best all around ski field in the Queenstown /Wanaka

Very efficient and friendly staff. Ski classes for under 5 were good. Had to queue a lot for lifts. Foodwise go upstairs to the table service area. The food there is much better than the canteen. The drive up can feel sketchy but it's safe enough if you are prepared.