Your Guide To Choosing A Lift Pass This Season

Understanding which lift passes are available to you is the key to having the best season. We’ve got you covered with this handy breakdown of all the different passes you can purchase.

Read below to understand what each ski pass means and how to use them.

Choose Cardrona, Treble Cone, or both!

Did you know that Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone are partner ski areas? That means some passes will give you access to both mountains, whereas others will ask you to select and commit to one. Before buying your pass, it’s good to understand if you want to ski both mountains and which mountain will suit you.

Cardrona:

Cardrona is New Zealand’s favourite family resort. The perfect spot for families, first-timers, world-class athletes, and terrain park lovers alike.

The terrain looks like this:

• 20% Beginner.

• 35% Intermediate.

• 25% Advanced.

• 20% Expert.

• There are also six chairlifts, one pipe platter, and three conveyor lifts for beginners.

Treble Cone

Treble Cone is perfect for those who want to take their skiing or riding to the next level. 550ha of terrain, 700m of vertical, long, and uncrowded groomed runs, awesome off-piste terrain with views to match, and consistent snow.

The terrain looks like this:

• 10% Beginner.

• 30% Intermediate.

• 40% Advanced.

• 20% Expert.

• There are two chairlifts and one conveyor lift for beginners.

Which ski pass is best for my ability?

Beginners: You’re well looked after at Cardrona, and a lot of products are specifically tailored for you to learn in a safe and fun environment. If you’ve never set foot on a ski or snowboard before, getting a First Timer 1-Day Package is a must. This bundles together a learner’s pass, a full day of lessons, and rental equipment. After you’ve completed your First Timer Package, grab a lift pass that will last you for the rest of your ski holiday or season.

If you’re not a first-timer, but still a beginner, you’ll be what we call a novice, who is:

• Mastering the basics

• Skiing/ riding the green runs and beginner area

We suggest getting a Learner Pass, which gives you a full day of access to the conveyor lifts at Cardrona, plus one trip on McDougall’s Chondola to the top of the mountain. If you’re determined to progress throughout the season, a pass that gives you access to the whole of Cardrona will be more useful. Check out the multi-day pass.

Intermediate is if you’d describe yourself as:

• Skiing/ riding blue runs

• Improving skills

• Exploring new terrain

Depending on how much time you have to ski or snowboard, you can’t go wrong with a day or multi-day pass. When you book a Day Pass, you’ll need to choose your date and whether you want to ski at Cardrona or Treble Cone. For Multi-Day Passes, you get access to both mountains, so you can decide as you go. If you’re into parks, wide groomed runs and steady progression, Cardrona is for you. If you’re into steeps, chutes, off-piste, and challenging yourself, Treble Cone might be more up your street.

Advanced: Real keen on skiing or snowboarding? You might describe yourself as:

• Skiing & riding red/ black runs

• Sharpening skills on varied terrain and conditions

The pass we recommend for you is a 7 day multi-day pass. It allows you to use your 7 days at any point in the season and at both mountains, so you can explore everything.

If you’re expecting to go hard all season and ski/ ride more than 7 days, an unlimited season pass will suit you. Unlimited skiing or riding, all season long, at both Cardrona and Treble Cone. The ultimate unlock to the Lakes District skiing!

How can I save money on a lift pass?

If you’ve decided on a day or multi-day pass, you should buy online, ahead of time, to save money on your pass. It will also secure the days you want to visit, as passes are limited. The busier the day is, the more the pass will cost, and may even sell out.

If you wait to buy your pass when you get to the mountain on the day, you won’t be guaranteed a pass, and you will be paying the maximum amount the pass can cost.

Visit our booking page to see live availability throughout the season.

Visiting Cardrona or Treble Cone in NZ and Australian school holidays:

Some people know it as a ‘blackout’ and others know it as a peak period. Either way, the June/ July Australian and New Zealand school holidays are the most popular time to ski or ride.

Day and multi-day passes are likely to cost more the closer we get to this period and will sell out. We recommend buying early and online to avoid the disappointment of missing out.

The different lift pass options:

Day pass:

• What: A full day of fun on one pre-selected day up one mountain.

• Where: Before you purchase your pass, specify the mountain you want to ski or ride at: CardronaTreble Cone.

• Why: A day pass is great for those looking to try out Cardrona or Treble Cone, or here for a short time. You can purchase a day pass any day or time within the season, if there are still passes remaining, but popular days will sell out.

• Who: Families wanting to try something new, locals, tourists visiting town for a short time.

• Level: Novices to experts.

• Sale Period: All season but buy as soon as you can to avoid price increases and sold-out days!

Treble Cone Add-On Day:

• What: An optional add-on for anyone buying a Cardrona-specific single-day pass. This open-dated add-on lets you explore Treble Cone on any day of your choice during the season. Just remember, it must be purchased at the same time as your Cardrona single-day pass.

• Where: Valid for Treble Cone only.

• Why: Perfect for skiers and riders who are short on time and want to mix things up with a day at Treble Cone. Whether it’s the stunning views, challenging steeps, or the chance to ride like a local, this add-on is a great way to expand your mountain experience. If you’re planning to ski for longer and split your time evenly across both mountains, a Multi-Day Pass will be a better fit for you.

• Who: Ideal for confident skiers and riders who want to test themselves on Treble Cone’s terrain for a day.

• Level: Confident intermediates to advanced.

• Sale Period: Available all season.

Multi-day pass:

• What: A multiple-day pass that can be used at either Cardrona or Treble Cone throughout the season.

• Where: Valid for both mountains, so you can choose where to go each day.

• Why: This pass offers flexibility to spread your skiing or riding days across the entire season. You can take breaks for rest or bad weather, and the more days you purchase in one transaction, the more flexibility you’ll have to use them.

• Who: This pass works well for those who want to ski or ride multiple days at both mountains with the ability to pick and choose any dates.

• Level: First timers to advanced.

Earlybird Multi-day pass:

• Get all the benefits of a regular Multi-Day Pass at a discounted rate, with one key difference—a blackout period from June 30 to July 11, 2025. Available only until April 30, 2025 so act fast!

Saver Season Pass:

• What: A season pass offering unlimited skiing and riding at Cardrona, with a blackout period from June 30 to July 11, 2025. If you’re planning to spend the season at Cardrona and don’t mind skipping the peak holiday period, this is a cost-effective choice.

• Where: Valid for Cardrona only, making it perfect for those who love its wide groomed runs, terrain parks, and family-friendly vibe.

• Why: A great option for winter enthusiasts looking to save money while still enjoying the mountain for most of the season. Ideal for those who can avoid the peak holiday rush during the blackout period.

• Who: Locals or frequent visitors planning to ski or ride at Cardrona throughout the season but are happy to skip the busiest holiday weeks.

• Level: Perfect for everyone, from first-timers to advanced riders, with plenty of terrain to progress your skills.

• Sale Period: Available all season, but purchase as early as possible to secure the best price!

Unlimited season pass:

• What: All the skiing and riding you can get, all season long. If you’re planning on skiing more than 7 days on both mountains this season, this is the pass for you.

• Where: Make the most of this pass and ski/ ride at both Cardrona and Treble Cone. If you’re just starting out, take it easy on Cardrona’s slopes first before progressing to the steeper Treble Cone terrain later in the season to experience it all!

• Why: If winter is about skiing and riding as much as possible, then an Unlimited Season Pass is a must-have. It offers ultimate flexibility and can be used on the most popular days, even when ski passes are sold out in the ‘blackout’ peak season period.

• Who: Locals who will spend their winter up the mountains. Guests who want to spend the whole of the NZ and Australian school holidays skiing and riding both Cardrona and Treble Cone.

• Level: First timer to advanced. You’ll see unbelievable progression!

• Sale Period: All season long, but try to buy before the season starts to avoid price increases.

Sightseeing pass:

• What: A single uplift in a gondola cabin on McDougall’s Chondola

• Where: Cardrona only

• Why: The views at the top of Cardrona aren’t just for skiers and riders, you can hop in a McDougall’s Chondola gondola cabin, take in the views at the top of the mountain, post a photo from the Cardrona Swing and maybe even indulge in a mountain-top drink at Vista Bar.

• Who: Those who still enjoy the snow and sights but perhaps can’t ski or snowboard.

• These passes are typically available from late April until the end of the season.

Learner’s Pass:

• What: A full day pass valid for the beginner’s area and learner conveyor uplifts at Cardrona. Plus, one uplift on McDougall’s Chondola to the top of the mountain (and this can be used at any point in the day).

• Where: Cardrona or Treble Cone

• Why: If you’re a beginner, you might not need access to the whole mountain right away. Getting the hang of skiing and riding in the beginner’s area is what some guests want from their time at Cardrona, so there’s a specific pass just for you. If you’re a complete first timer, bundle your pass with a full day of lessons and rental equipment and grab a First Timer Package.

• Who: Those who want to get the hang of skiing or snowboarding in the learner’s area before advancing.

• Level: First timers and novices.

• These passes are typically available from late April until the end of the season.

Half Day Pass:

• What: One afternoon of skiing or riding at your chosen mountain.

• Where: Cardrona or Treble Cone

• Why: Every day, our on-mountain capacity experts will assess mid-morning if we have the space to offer half day passes to you.

• Who: When the conditions are epic, the mountain is quiet, and you’ve got no plans, this is when spontaneity shines.

• Level: Confident beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers and riders who can drop in with ease.

• Sale Period: All season long. Though half day passes will only be available on the day you want to ski or ride, if capacity allows.

We hope this makes your decision making to get a pass an easier one this season. Explore all ski pass options.