A lady enjoys an adaptive skiing lesson at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Making snow sports accessible for everyone

Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Programme

Our Adaptive Programme makes skiing and snowboarding accessible for guests with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities. Tailored lessons to your needs, adaptive equipment and complimentary on snow support through our team of trained volunteers to experience the freedom of skiing and riding.

Skiier talking icon.

One-on-one coaching

Ski and snowboard icon.

Specialist equipment

Chairlift icon.

Priority lift access

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SSNZ member discounts

Ready to progress?

Book an Adaptive Lesson

If you require any specialist equipment, please reach out to the team to book your adaptive lesson.

Cardrona

Private Lesson

Adaptive Lesson

Coming soon

  • One on one coaching tailored to your goals

  • Priority lift line access

  • 1–6 hour lesson options

  • Specialist equipment not included

  • 40% off with SSNZ membership

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Cardrona only

Multi-day Programme

Ride Tribe Adaptive

$ 305

Price per child

  • For skiers 5+ and snowboarders 7+

  • Beginner to advanced levels

  • Same instructor and group each week

  • 40% off with SSNZ membership

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Adaptive sit-skier carving down a snowy slope with a chairlift in the background on a bright winter day.

Who is the Adaptive Programme for?

Our adaptive programme is designed for guests with physical, cognitive or sensory disabilities.

  • Adaptive private lessons with a qualified adaptive instructor, offering individually tailored one-on-one coaching and a plan that matches your learning style

  • Group lessons with volunteer support ideal if you or your child enjoys learning in a group environment but would benefit from some additional assistance

  • Volunteer support sessions designed for guests who can already ski or ride but would like extra on-snow support (complimentary for SSNZ members)

With the right support in place, you can expect a safe, encouraging environment, greater independence on the mountain, and the thrill of moving confidently on snow.

You’ll leave feeling capable, included, and excited to keep progressing.

A sit-ski rider is guided downhill by an instructor in red on a snowy slope.

One-on-one coaching

Adaptive Lessons

  • One-on-one adaptive specialist instructor

  • Personalised teaching plan

  • Priority lift line access

  • Equipment guidance and setup

  • Clear next-step recommendations

  • Thorough assessment to give you the best suitable option for your skiing or riding

Lift passes and rentals are booked separately.

Adaptive rentals (per day):

  • Sit ski and hand outriggers - $90 ($45 with SSNZ membership)

  • Slider frame - $90 ($45 with SSNZ membership

  • Stand up outriggers - $25

  • Links - no charge

  • Vision impairment/high visibility bibs - no charge

Please note: Equipment can only be rented outside a lesson if it has been used prior or with an instructor, to ensure safe and responsible usage.

Rental sets:

SSNZ members receive 50% discount of our Core Rental Bundle, which includes skies or snowboard, boots and poles or wrist guards.

  • Adult set – $63 ($31.50 with SSNZ discount)

  • Child set – $51 ($25.50 with SSNZ discount)

When booking rentals, please let us know at least a week in advance, so we can guarantee that we have the right piece of equipment available for you.

Snow Sports NZ adaptive members receive exclusive savings including:

  • 40% off Adaptive Private Lessons

  • 40% off Ride Tribe

  • 50% off Single Day Passes

  • 50% off Season Passes*

  • 50% off all rentals (adult and child ski/snowboard sets)

  • Cardrona’s adaptive volunteers provide free on-snow support for SSNZ members

A current SSNZ membership ID must be shown at the time of purchase. If you’re not yet a member, you can join Snow Sports NZ as an Adaptive Member here.

*Season Pass discount is based on Drop 2 pricing of Unlimited Season Passes.

Choose your lesson duration from just 1 hour, to a full day.

  • 1 hour (not available for lessons requiring specialist sitski equipment)

  • 1.5 hours (not available for lessons requiring specialist sitski equipment)

  • 2 hours

  • 3 hours

  • 6 hours

A Cardrona Ski Instructor follows a guest down on an adaptive skiing lesson.

Multi-day Programme

Ride Tribe Adaptive

Ride Tribe Adaptive is a multi-day programme designed for anyone age 7+ who wants to grow their skills and confidence on snow.

Running over five weeks, this programme blends structured skill development with mountain adventure and plenty of fun. Guests build their skiing or snowboarding ability while learning alongside the same instructor and group each week.

With a consistent team and supportive coaching, skiers and riders develop confidence, independence and strong mountain skills, all in an environment that feels encouraging and enjoyable.

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Adaptive Facilities

Everything you need is located within our Base Area. If you’re unsure of the best route on the day, our team is happy to guide you.

Two skiers, one in Cardrona-branded red ski clothes, assist a sit-skier on a snowy day.

Help make snow sports accessible

Adaptive volunteering

The Cardrona Adaptive Snow Sports Program has been running successfully for over 25 years and is made possible by our incredible team of passionate volunteers. Volunteers provide on-snow support for guests with a range of physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities, helping create a safe, supportive environment and enabling greater access to snow sports.

Volunteers assist skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, whether in a one-on-one setting, alongside an instructor in a private lesson, or within a group lesson. The role is primarily on-snow support, with occasional assistance helping guests access facilities around the mountain.

An intermediate level of skiing or snowboarding is required; however, no prior adaptive snow sports experience is necessary. We provide a full volunteer induction along with all required training, both on and off the snow.

There is no minimum time commitment, volunteer as much or as little as suits your schedule. During peak season, there are daily opportunities available, ranging from supporting a guest for an hour to spending a full day on the mountain.

Adaptive Volunteers receive a free lift pass for the training weekend and for each day they volunteer.

If you have already purchased a lift pass (Season Pass or Multi-day Pass), you may be eligible for a refund based on your volunteer days. Volunteer 12 days and receive a 50% refund, or volunteer 18 days to receive a full refund. The two training days are included in this total.

Further benefits include:

  • Complimentary group lessons at Cardrona

  • Ongoing training opportunities throughout the season

  • In-resort discounts on food, beverages, and rentals

Volunteer information evenings will take place in Wānaka in early June. These sessions are a great opportunity to learn more about the program and meet fellow volunteers.

The on-snow training weekend will take place on 20–21 June, 2026 at Cardrona. Both are full days, and you will need your own ski or snowboard equipment.

During the training weekend, volunteers will learn the essential skills required to support guests with disabilities on snow, so attendance on both days is essential. Please note that most of the weekend will be spent outdoors on the mountain, so come prepared for full days outside and ensure you have adequate food, water, and rest.

An e-learning component must also be completed prior to attending the training weekend.

Getting started as an Adaptive Volunteer is simple:

  • Register your interest as a volunteer via our online form

  • Review and sign the volunteer agreement

  • Complete the required e-learning and attend the volunteer training weekend (20-21 June, 2026)

  • Undergo police vetting as part of our health and safety requirements

  • Begin volunteering!

Register your interest

"An awesome experience with our adaptive instructor"

We have had such an awesome experience with our adaptive instructor Fi. She has made our winter family holiday possible.

Tim Wilson

Auckland

"Our daughter is enjoying her return to the mountain"

We have been involved in the adaptive programme with our daughter. Cardrona have been amazing and our daughter is enjoying her return to the mountain.

Inaki Falgas

“Great facilities for adaptive”

Great facilities for adaptive. Love support and discounts for adaptive that make skiing more viable, and easy.

Angelique Van Der Velden

An adaptive skier uses their out rigger to turn whilst on a lesson at Cardrona.

Frequently
Asked Questions

If you don’t require specialist equipment, you can book your Adaptive Lesson online.

If you do need specialist equipment, please complete and submit our Inquiry Form so we can ensure the right setup is available for you.

We recommend booking at least a week in advance so we can match you with the appropriate instructor and equipment.

We also recommend becoming a Snow Sports New Zealand (SSNZ Adaptive) member, as you’ll save 50% off day passes/ rental equipment and up to 40% off lessons at Cardrona. Visit the Snow Sports NZ website to become a member.

  • Sitski rental and hand outriggers - $90 per day

  • Stand up outriggers - $50 per day

  • Slider frame - $90

  • Links - no charge

  • Vision impairment/high vis bibs -no charge

SSNZ members receive 50% off the above prices.

Cardrona’s adaptive volunteers provide free on-snow support for SSNZ members. We need about a week's lead time to organise a volunteer. While we cannot guarantee to have a volunteer available on the day we will always try our best.

Snow Sports NZ adaptive members get 50% off per day no matter how many days you purchase - this applies to all other fare types. Members need to show a current membership ID at the time of purchase.

You can join Snow Sports NZ as an Adaptive Member here.

Find more information on the Adaptive Programme at Cardrona in our brochure.

Still have questions? Please reach out to adaptive@cardrona.com.

Still need some help? Get in touch using our

The sun rises over a ski resort, with a chair lift called "Whitestar Express" in the foreground.

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Lift Passes

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Getting Here

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