TL;DR
In 2025, New Zealand's Cardrona Alpine Resort will become the largest ski area in the country with the launch of its new Soho Basin chairlift, expanding the resort to 615 hectares. This follows a partnership formed in 2018 between the resort's owners, RealNZ, and Soho Basin leaseholder John Darby. The project, which includes a high-speed six-seater chairlift providing access to 150 hectares of new terrain, has been in the works since the opening of the Willow's quad chairlift in 2021. Additionally, improvements are planned for parking, rentals, snowmaking, and other facilities to accommodate growing demand, with a focus on preserving the natural environment of Soho Basin.
New Zealand's Cardrona Alpine Resort is set to become the country's largest ski area with the opening of its new Soho Basin chairlift in the winter of 2025. This summer, construction will begin on a high-speed six-seater chairlift that will provide access to 150 hectares of new terrain. This expansion has been eagerly awaited since 2018 when Cardrona's owners, RealNZ, and Soho Basin leaseholder John Darby formed a partnership.In 2021, the Willow's quad chairlift was launched, marking the first step in accessing the new Soho Ski Area. However, the upcoming chairlift will offer access to more than double this area, increasing the resort's total lift-accessed skiable terrain by 24%. This expansion will enlarge the resort from 465 hectares to 615 hectares, surpassing Whakapapa ski area's 550 hectares to become New Zealand's largest commercial ski area.
About the author
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
