Cardrona Announces New Beginner Features for Winter 2016

Cardrona Announces New Beginner Features for Winter 2016

Cardrona Alpine Resort is extending its offering for beginner skiers and snowboarders with a brand new beginner trail and New Zealand’s first “Gallery” conveyer lift tunnel.

The Sun Kids Gallery enclosure is a see-through tunnel that will sit over the top of Cardrona’s existing main learners’ slope conveyer. It protects skiers and snowboarders from harsh mountain elements, while still giving them the experience and views that an alpine environment provides.

One of the biggest attractions of the Gallery is the low impact of poor weather on operations in the beginners’ area. Usually any snow fall can delay the opening of the long conveyer, as lift operators have to shovel snow off the belt, and high winds can affect the overall operation of the conveyer during the day. The tunnel in place will see a much more consistent operation of the entire learners’ area.

To complement Cardrona’s Skyline trail, the most scenic green run in New Zealand, the resort is building the longest beginner run in the country, called “A Real Journey”. The trail will be 3.2km long once completed, taking riders out through Captain’s Basin from the top of McDougall’s Quad, and back around to the bottom of Whitestar Express. From the top of Whitestar, guests can choose to re-join A Real Journey or head back across to the McDougall’s green runs.

“Cardrona is a resort for everyone and we want first time skiers and snowboarders to feel just as welcomed as the seasoned shredder,” says Cardrona’s General Manager Bridget Legnavsky.

“The conveyer tunnel and A Real Journey give everyone the opportunity to experience Cardrona, no matter the weather or their ability – and we couldn’t be more excited to be able to offer that!”

With 3 conveyer lifts, a dedicated learners’ slope and the Skyline green trail, Cardrona have always taken pride in their facilities for first-time skiers and snowboarders. Along with these exciting additions for beginners, there are plenty more upgrades happening before the start of Winter 2016 including:

- A small new café (‘Little Meg’) at the base of Valley View Quad chairlift
- A new car park providing 200 extra spaces at the bottom of Valley View Quad
- Renovations to Captain’s Café to provide more space & higher capacity efficiency
- A new carpark at the bottom of the access road (by the pine trees) with shuttle transport
- Increased water supply for larger snowmaking capacity
- Widening of the access road and the addition of several new safety barriers
- Renovations to the Noodle Bar Café
- Environmental upgrades including a new composting system and a glass crusher used to recycle glass bottles etc to spread crushed glass as grit over the carparks and road

For more information on what’s new at Cardrona for 2016, visit http://www.cardrona.com/winter-2016-developments

ENDS

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