Olympic Hopefuls Excited by New Developments at Cardrona

Cardrona Alpine Resort has further cemented its position as one of the world’s best ski and snowboard training facilities thanks to the addition of a surface lift to access the Olympic and International halfpipes.

A busy summer of developments at the ski area, located between Wanaka and Queenstown, has included the relocation of a platter tow (a motorised system for pulling skiers and snowboarders uphill) to service the halfpipes.

Cardrona Sales and Marketing Manager Nadia Ellis says this is fantastic news for the top winter athletes and more experienced snow lovers who visit.

“It’s going to mean super fast laps and no more hiking for these guys, as well as reducing queues on McDougall and the Whitestar chairlifts,” she says.

“It’s recently been announced the Ski Halfpipe will be included as an event at the next Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia 2014. Having a dedicated tow for our pipes positions Cardrona as one of the best training facilities in the world.”

Cardrona’s own Jossi Wells, world champion freeskier, and his three younger brothers will make good use of the faster access as they train hard for Olympic medal contention.

Well’s father, Snowsports NZ coach of the year Bruce, says the new halfpipe development is going to speed up the turnaround time meaning athletes will get more training laps each day.

“Having a tow lift to service the Olympic superpipe is exciting news for our boys and the rest of the New Zealand halfpipe competitors. It will also be a big draw card for international athletes,” he says. “Cardrona’s freestyle facilities are among the best on offer in the world.”

In 2009 Shaun White and Torah Bright were among the world-class athletes who trained at Cardrona in preparation for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Ms Ellis says the ski area’s latest developments haven’t just catered for the more advanced snow buffs.

“There has never been a better time for your friends and family to learn to ski at Cardrona.

“We’ve also redeveloped Cardrona’s learner’s area – increasing the size and quality of the novice terrain on offer.”

A new state of the art “Sunkid” surface conveyor lift has been installed to improve accessibility and ease of learning for beginners.

Cardrona is scheduled to open Friday 24 June.