Cadrona, New Zealand
Located between Queenstown and Wanaka in New Zealand's Southern Alps, Cardrona Alpine Resort needed reliable snowmaking infrastructure to maintain on-time openings despite two consecutive years of limited natural snowfall, marginal temperatures, and windy conditions.
Objectives and Solutions
Cardrona Alpine Resort is located between Queenstown and Wanaka in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. As one of New Zealand’s premium ski areas, consistent snow cover is essential when Mother Nature does not provide.
Cardrona’s investment in snowmaking has paid off: with limited natural snowfall for the second consecutive year in a row, Cardrona trails have opened on time thanks to unitizing every available opportunity for snowmaking despite the marginal temperatures and windy conditions.
SMI Infrastructure Installed
Automation & Distribution:
Fully automated snowmaking system covering 21 hectares (53 acres) of trails
60 new vault locations
Snowmaking Equipment:
22 Puma fan guns added to fleet
32 existing Super PoleCats (total fleet: 54 machines)
24 fixed position fan guns for maximum capacity on main trails
30 mobile carriage guns for operational flexibility
“SMI equipment has the horsepower to produce bulk amounts of snow during marginal conditions and can be throttled back for a high-quality finish on top.”
-Gary Husband, Ski Area Manager
