A tour bus travels along a winding road through a golden, mountainous landscape at sunset. Snow-capped peaks rise in the background, creating a serene and scenic vista.

Stress-free ways to get here

Getting to Cardrona and Treble Cone

Catch our free mountain road shuttle or hop on the bus from Queenstown; easy, sustainable ways to get here.

Bus Service

Staying in Queenstown or Wānaka? We operate a convenient bus service with multiple pickup points. Before you hop on the bus, you can collect your lift pass and any rental gear from our Queenstown or Wānaka locations so you can get straight onto the snow when you reach the mountain base buildings. 

Bus Service

Queenstown Ski Bus

$ 45

Adult price displayed

  • Ski bus from Queenstown to Cardrona or Treble Cone

  • Return travel included

  • Multiple pickup points available

  • Available 1 September - to the end of the season

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Bus Service

Wānaka Ski Bus

$ 45

Adult price displayed

  • Ski bus from Wānaka to Cardrona or Treble Cone

  • Return travel included

  • Multiple pickup points available

  • Available 1 September - to the end of the season

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A group of skiers prepares their gear next to a white bus in a snowy mountain setting, ready for transport to their destination. Clear skies and bright sunlight overhead.

Bus Service Timetables

Letter on map

Pickup

Departure

A

Cameron Place Bus Stop

7.30am

B

Heritage Bus Stop

7.35am

C

Rydges Bus Stop

7.37am

D

Steamer Wharf/Crowne Plaza

7.40am

E

Robins Rd Bus Stop/Creeksyde

7:41am

F

Cardrona x Treble Cone Queenstown

7.45am

8

Upper Stanley Street Bus Stop

7.46am

H

Suburb Street Bus Stop/Copthorne Apartments

7.47am

I

Pounamu Bus Stop

7.48am

J

Oakshores/The Rees Bus Stop

7.50am

K

Sherwood/Goldfield Heights

7.53am

L

Marina Heights

7.56am

M

Hilton/Double Tree*

7.45am

N

Silky Otter Queenstown*

7.52am

O

Sudima Hotel Five Mile*

8.00am

P

Frankton Bus Shelter

8.00am

Q

Crown Range Turn-Off

8.10am

*Service runs between June 27 - September 20 only.

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is between 9 - 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Cardrona is 4.15pm.

Cardrona reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Letter on map

Pickup

Departure

A

Cameron Place Bus Stop

7.00am

B

Heritage Bus Stop

7.01am

C

Rydges Bus Stop

7.03am

D

Steamer Wharf/Crowne Plaza Bus Stop

7.05am

E

Robins Rd Bus Stop/Creeksyde

7.08am

F

Cardrona x Treble Cone Queenstown

7.10am

G

Upper Stanley Street Bus Stop

7.13am

H

Suburb Street Bus Stop/Copthorne Apartments

7.15am

I

Pounamu Bus Stop

7.18am

J

Oakshores/The Rees Bus Stop

7.20am

K

Sherwood/Goldfield Heights Bus Stop

7.23am

L

Marina Heights Bus Stop

7.26am

P

Frankton Bus Shelter

7.30am

Q

Crown Range Turnoff

7.40am

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Treble Cone is 4.00pm.

Treble Cone reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Letter on map

Pickup

Departure

A

Edgewater

7.30am

B

Club Wyndham Wānaka

7.40am

C

Lake Front Car Park

7.50am

D

Après (50 Cardrona Valley Road)

8.00am

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is between 9 - 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Cardrona is 4.30pm.

Cardrona reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Letter on map

Pickup

Departure

D

Après / Basecamp Wānaka

8.30am

E

Dungarvon Street Bus Stop

8.35am

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Treble Cone is 4.00pm.

Treble Cone reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Bus Service Pickup Points

A group of skiers gathers near a parked tour bus in a mountainous, sunlit valley. They organise their gear, preparing for a day on the slopes. Snow-dusted hills rise in the background, creating a peaceful outdoor scene.

Free Mountain Road Shuttles

Save fuel, relax, or skip driving mountain roads by hopping on our free mountain road shuttles. No booking required, just park at The Pines carpark for Cardrona or the carpark at the bottom of the access road for Treble Cone, then catch the next available shuttle.

Cardrona

  • Up: 8:00am | 8:30am | 9:00am | 9:30am | 10:00am | 10:30am | 11:30am

  • Down: 1:30pm | 2:30pm | 3:30pm | 4:00pm | 4:15pm

Cardrona (October)

  • Up: 9.00am | 10.00am | 11:00am

  • Down: 2.00pm | 3.00pm | 4.00pm | 4.45pm

Treble Cone

  • Up: 8:00am | 8:30am | 9:00am | 9:30am | 10:00am

  • Down: 1:30pm | 2:30pm | 3:30pm | 4:15pm

Important Info

  • Shuttle times may change due to weather or road conditions.

  • Transport is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Uphill service may be suspended if the shuttle reaches capacity.

A simplified map of New Zealand’s South Island highlighting Queenstown, Wānaka, and the nearby ski areas of Treble Cone and Cardrona, marked with red icons.

Driving & Parking

Access to and from our mountains is via alpine roads, which present hazards including ice, snow, rockfall, landslides, steep gradients, and sweeping corners. These hazards are signposted wherever possible; however, alpine road conditions can change quickly and without warning. It is essential that you check the latest weather and road reports before you travel, drive to the conditions — including reducing speed where required — and fit snow chains when conditions call for it. In areas identified as high risk for rockfall or landslide, please obey all "no stopping" signage and keep moving through these zones. Please follow all posted signage, speed limits, chain requirements, and any instructions from Cardrona/Treble Cone/RealNZ staff. Some hazards, such as rockfall and landslides, are largely unpredictable, and residual risk remains despite the mitigations in place.

Cardrona

  • Drive times: Vary depending on conditions.

  • From Queenstown CBD: 59 km | 1–1.5 hrs

  • From Wānaka: 35 km | 40–45 mins

  • Mountain Road: 14 km unsealed road. Parking is available at three car parks around the base building (Carpark A, Carpark B, Carpark C).

  • Valley View Car Park: Located further down the mountain before the top of the road. Suitable only for intermediate skiers, as a chairlift is required to reach the base building. If you need rentals or want access to the main facilities, park at the base building car parks.

  • Shuttle pick-up: Catch the free mountain shuttle from The Pines Carpark, near the bottom of the access road. No booking required.

  • Safety: Always carry chains; weather and road conditions can change quickly.

  • Click here for directions to Cardrona

Treble Cone

  • Drive times: Vary depending on conditions.

  • From Queenstown CBD: 97 km | 1.5–2 hrs

  • From Wānaka: 30 km | 35–40 mins

  • Mountain Road: 7.5 km unsealed road. Parking is available at the very top, just outside the base building, or at the carpark at the bottom of the access road, which is where you can catch the free mountain shuttle.

  • Safety: Always carry chains; weather and road conditions can change quickly.

  • Click here for directions to Treble Cone

It is a requirement to carry snow chains in your vehicle at all times when driving on the mountain road, even if they are not required on that day. Make sure you know how to fit them before you arrive. For a step-by-step guide, check out our handy video on how to fit snow chains here.

Make sure to check the Snow Report on the day of your visit for the latest road conditions, chain requirements, and any access updates to ensure a safe and smooth journey up the mountain.

"The shuttle bus is fantastic and takes the stress out of getting to the top"

I love skiing at Cardona and TC. The shuttle bus is fantastic and takes the stress out of getting to the top. The staff are always friendly and approachable from the car park to the lifties. The new Soho basin is a fantastic addit...

Carolyn Donnelly

"Ryan got us down the mountain of ice roads, and snow, safely and calmly"

Catered for all abilities, ski instructors were awesome. What I really need to commend you on, is the bus drivers. Ryan was phenomenal - he got us down the mountain of ice roads, and snow, safely and calmly. So grateful for his ex...

Iain Stewart

"Parking is easy and the pines bus is an added bonus"

Easy to get set up and go. Crowds are managed well, parking is easy and the pines bus is an added bonus when you can't take your car up the mountain. Staff are super friendly and helpful. Great slopes, heaps of choice, just loved ...

Kane Fannin

Frequently
Asked Questions

Car seats are not mandatory on our busses and are not available for hire. Guests are welcome to bring their own carseat and must install it themselves. Where a seatbelt is fitted, it must be used, and any child restraint brought on board must also be used.

Directions to Cardrona from Queenstown Airport: Drive towards Cromwell but turn off at Crown Range Road. You’ll drive up and over the range, before reaching the small village of Cardrona, featuring a historic hotel (pub) and quaint general store. Continue driving through Cardrona village centre before reaching the turnoff and signposted Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Directions to Treble Cone from Queenstown Airport: Drive towards Cromwell but turn off at Crown Range Road. You’ll drive up and over the range, before reaching the small village of Cardrona, featuring a historic hotel (pub) and quaint general store. Continue driving through Cardrona village centre reaching Wānaka. Once you reach the lakefront, take a left and follow the road all the way past Glendhu Bay before you reach the turnoff for Treble Cone.

If you can’t catch the bus and don’t have a car, you can book a private transfer from Queenstown or Wānaka and be delivered directly to the base buildings at Cardrona or Treble Cone. We work with Yello, Wānaka Transfers, and Wānaka Ski Concierge to provide a seamless experience.

We sure do! If you're coming all the way to the top of the mountain road, you’re most welcome to use our drop-off zone to drop the rest of the family & all your gear right at the front door – just let our Carpark Crew know you’re heading up to use that zone.

Yes, pre-booking the bus service is essential to ensure you secure a spot and avoid disappointment! Booking in advance helps manage capacity and guarantees your place on the bus, making your trip to the mountain smooth and stress-free.

Still need some help? Get in touch using our

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Lift Passes

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Lessons

Learn to ski and snowboard at Cardrona with lessons, packages, and programmes for all ages and abilities.

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