Soho Basin is open for skiing and snowboarding
UPDATE: 07 July 2025: Skiers and snowboarders took their first turns in Soho Basin today, kicking off a new era for Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand’s biggest ski area.
Early-season conditions still exist, so the terrain was mostly ungroomed and for advanced level skiers and snowboarders only. But that didn’t stop the excited first six from claiming their “Soho It Begins” t-shirts, the first to ever claim first chair on the new Soho Express.
“This is such a huge milestone for the Aotearoa ski industry,” says Cardrona and Treble Cone’s Chief Mountains Officer, Laura Hedley. “To get this lift and terrain open, after decades of dreaming of what could be… it’s a pretty emotional moment for our entire team.”
The new 6-seater Soho Express Chairlift officially opened in Soho Basin at Cardrona
Over the weekend, a key moment in Cardrona’s history took place with the opening of the new Soho Express Chairlift – opening up another 150ha of skiable terrain. This now makes, Cardrona Alpine Resort New Zealand’s Biggest ski resort, 615ha of skiable terrain.
Cardrona and Treble Cone Chief Mountains Officer, Laura Hedley: “What a stunning day to officially bless and open our new Soho Basin and express chairlift! It was incredible to celebrate with all the generations of Cardrona and RealNZ, including both the Lee and Hutchins families.
Being able to take a sightseeing lap on the chair, then continue celebrations in our new Noodle Bar space with so many of the people who have made this project happen is truly special.”
The Soho Express Chairlift was blessed by representatives from Kāi Tahu, and will open to the public for skiing and snowboarding as snow allows.
A brand-new 6-seater chairlift will be installed in Soho Basin at Cardrona, ready to open for Winter 2025
The Soho Basin Express will open up terrain, awesome snow, amazing steep stuff, and heaps to explore!
The new Soho Basin chairlift will provide more than two times that area, increasing total lift-accessed skiable terrain by 24%. That would increase the resort from 465ha to 615ha, making it the largest commercial ski area in New Zealand.
Whakapapa is the largest ski area on the North Island. The Remarkables ski area near Queenstown has replaced (2024 season) the existing Shadow Basin chairlift with a faster, larger chairlift that finishes higher on the mountain, opening more terrain.
Exciting things are happening throughout New Zealand to open up more skiing.
Once installed, Wānaka’s Cardrona Alpine Resort will be the largest ski area in New Zealand
Wānaka’s Cardrona Alpine Resort will be the largest ski area in New Zealand when its new Soho Basin chairlift opens for the 2025 winter. During summer, work will start on a six-seater high-speed chairlift providing access to 150 hectares of new terrain.
