The Athletes Who Call Cardrona & Treble Cone Home

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated winter athletes and a trailblazer for snowboarding worldwide. An Olympic gold and silver medallist, X Games champion and multiple-time world champion, Zoi has helped put New Zealand snow sports firmly on the global map. She’s happiest cruising through Antlers Alley, catching up with friends and starting the day the right way, with a coffee from Little Meg. Her top tip for making the most of a day on the mountain? Dress for the conditions so you’re not tempted to head inside early!

Olympian, World Cup medallist and one of New Zealand’s leading freeski talents, Ben Barclay has spent more than a decade honing his craft at Cardrona and Treble Cone. Known for his smooth style across slopestyle and big air, Ben represented New Zealand at multiple Winter Olympic Games and continues to compete at the highest level internationally. When he’s back home, you’ll often find him lapping Stag Lane or Shooter and making time for the legendary Noodle Bar lunch. Ben’s passion for progression, community and having fun on snow perfectly captures the spirit of the Southern Alps.

Stef Zeestraten moved to Wānaka from the Netherlands more than 20 years ago and has been making the most of Cardrona and Treble Cone ever since. A passionate snowboarder and long-time local, he's spent countless days exploring the terrain across both mountains, with Soho Basin remaining a favourite spot when conditions line up. His top tip is simple: be on the first chair, no matter the weather or day of the week, you'll never regret it. That dedication to getting out there and making the most of every snow day has given Stef a deep connection to the mountains he now calls home.

Finn Bilous is one of New Zealand’s most exciting freeski athletes, representing the country at the Olympic Games and on the Freeski World Cup circuit. Known for his creativity and versatility across slopestyle, big air and film projects, Finn brings an infectious energy to everything he does on snow. Having grown up skiing Cardrona, he still loves cruising Crags and Shooter and reckons the best tip for a great day on the hill is to make friends with the parking guy/girl.

Ben Richards was born and raised in Wānaka and has spent most of his life skiing the mountains he now proudly represents. A respected freeride athlete and filmmaker, Ben has built a reputation for stylish skiing and creative storytelling in the mountains. While Bullet is one of his favourite runs, it’s the friendships and community that keep him coming back season after season. His top tip for a day on the hill? "There is such thing as friends on a powder day". A reminder that the best days are even better when they're shared.

Jessica Hotter is one of New Zealand’s most successful freeride skiers, earning international recognition through standout performances on the Freeride World Tour. Known for her fearless approach in steep and technical terrain, she has spent years showcasing Kiwi freeride talent on some of the world’s most challenging mountain faces. When she’s home, Jessica loves exploring the Chutes at Treble Cone and soaking up everything that makes the Southern Alps special.

Byron Wells is one of New Zealand’s most accomplished freeskiers, with a career spanning multiple Olympic Winter Games, X Games appearances and more than two decades competing at the highest level of the sport. A key figure in the growth of New Zealand freeskiing, Byron has helped inspire generations of athletes while continuing to stay connected to the mountains that shaped his career. When he's back home, you'll often find him skiing Captains at Cardrona, one of his favourite runs on the mountain. His top tip for a great day on the hill is simple: the early bird gets the worm.

Janina Kuzma is one of New Zealand’s most accomplished winter athletes, with more than two decades representing her country on the world stage. A multiple-time Winter Olympian and pioneer of women’s freeskiing, she has competed across halfpipe and freeride disciplines while helping shape the sport both in New Zealand and internationally. Janina has been skiing at Cardrona and Treble Cone for 21 years, and her love for both mountains remains as strong as ever, from laps through Cardrona’s international halfpipe to Powder Bowl at Treble Cone.

Growing up in Wānaka’s backyard gave Luke Harrold a front-row seat to some of New Zealand’s best skiing, and he’s made the most of it ever since. A rising freeski talent with a deep love for terrain parks, Luke has spent years developing his skills at Cardrona, with Big Bucks remaining one of his favourite places to ride. Whether he’s chasing new tricks or simply enjoying a day in the mountains with friends and family, Luke brings enthusiasm, positivity and a genuine appreciation for mountain life. His advice is simple: stay fuelled, stay sun-safe and make every run count.

One of New Zealand's most accomplished freeride skiers, Craig became the youngest person ever to qualify for the Freeride World Tour at just 18, going on to claim multiple podiums including wins at Fieberbrunn and Kicking Horse. Away from competition, he's equally at home on expedition. Whether that's skiing first descents on horseback in the Canterbury high country or pushing into the remotest corners of New Zealand's backcountry. Despite travelling the world chasing snow, Cardrona and Treble Cone remain special places to him, with the iconic Queenstown Return still topping his list as favourite run.

Jossi Wells is one of New Zealand's most influential freeskiers, with a career spanning multiple Olympic Winter Games, X Games medals and countless podiums on the international stage. Born and raised in Wānaka, Jossi has been skiing Cardrona and Treble Cone for 36 years, with Big Bucks and Gunbarrel remaining favourite places to lap when he's home. Beyond competition, Jossi continues to shape the future of the sport through the annual Jossi Wells Invitational at Cardrona, bringing together the world's best freeskiers to celebrate progression, creativity and community. His advice for the mountains? It's always more fun with friends.

Mitchell Davern is one of New Zealand's top snowboard cross athletes, representing the country on the World Cup circuit and at the Olympic Winter Games. Originally from Auckland and now proudly calling Wānaka home, Mitchell has been riding Cardrona and Treble Cone since 2011, with Crags into Shooter at TC and the new Soho terrain at Cardrona among his favourite places to explore. For Mitchell, the perfect day on the mountain starts with a flat white before heading straight for the Shoots or Summit at Treble Cone - in his words you "can't beat it".

Ben is one of New Zealand's leading snowboarders, representing the country on the World Cup circuit and at the Olympic Winter Games in snowboard halfpipe. Born and raised in Wānaka, Ben has been riding at Cardrona and Treble Cone since he was just two years old, with the Cardrona Halfpipe remaining his favourite place to spend a day on the mountain. His top tip for making the most of a day on the hill: the early bird gets the worm!

A Youth Olympic bronze medallist and World Cup competitor, Campbell has been riding at Cardrona and Treble Cone for 18 years, with favourites including the Superpipe and Big Bucks at Cardrona, and Summit Rocks and Easy Rider at TC. His top tip for a great day on the hill is to wax your snowboard every day - it makes snowboarding even more fun. Growing up in Wānaka and learning from parents who were both snowboard instructors.

Fin has spent the past 18 years riding at Cardrona and Treble Cone, developing his skills on the mountains he calls home. Whether he's lapping Big Bucks or the Superpipe at Cardrona, Fin is always looking to make the most of every day on snow. His top tip for a day on the hill is simple: always have fun and get in as many laps as possible. With a passion for progression and a love for the Cardrona community, Fin is proud to represent the mountains that have helped shape his snowboarding journey.

Christy Prior is one of New Zealand's most accomplished snowboarders, with an international career that has seen her compete at multiple Olympic Winter Games, World Championships and World Cup events in slopestyle and big air. Originally from Dunedin, Christy has spent years riding at Cardrona and Treble Cone, with Antlers Alley remaining one of her favourite to lap. Her top tip for the mountain? "Snacks".

Abby Jackways has called Wānaka home for more than two decades and has spent the past 23 years riding at Cardrona and Treble Cone. A former New Zealand representative in snowboard cross and one of the country's most experienced snowboard coaches, Abby has dedicated her career to helping others discover a love of the mountains. Whether she's carving through Shooter at Treble Cone or exploring Soho at Cardrona, Abby believes the best days on snow are the ones where you're simply having fun. Her passion for snowboarding, coaching and the local mountain community continues to inspire the next generation.

Will Jackways has spent 35 years skiing at Cardrona and Treble Cone, making the Southern Alps both his playground and his home. A respected snowboarder, coach and long-time ambassador for New Zealand snow sports, Will has dedicated much of his career to sharing his passion for the mountains with others. While Boundary Chutes at Treble Cone is his favourite place to ride, he encouraging everyone to simply appreciate being in the mountains. Whether he's mentoring the next generation or enjoying a day with family and friends, Will's love for the mountain community is at the heart of everything he does.

Nico Porteous has helped redefine what's possible for New Zealand freeskiing, becoming an Olympic gold and bronze medallist, world champion and one of the sport's biggest names in halfpipe. Growing up in Wānaka, Nico has spent the past 19 years skiing Cardrona and Treble Cone, with the big jumps still his favourite place to push himself and have fun. His top tip for skiing or riding at Cardrona - park at Valley View.