Remarkables vs. Cardrona: Which is better?
Staff Writer
| Last Updated: July 2023 Both The Remarkables and Cardrona attract skiers with their stunning views and slopes. But which is really better: the Remarkables or Cardrona?
If you want to be closer to Queenstown and have more slope options for beginners, the Remarkables may be a better option. If you are an advanced skier or snowboarder looking for challenging terrain, Cardrona may be a better choice because of its steep terrain and challenging off-piste skiing.
We go to both alpine resorts fairly often, so we’re familiar with the attributes of both resorts – we can show you how we came to this conclusion. This should help you decide which snowy paradise best suits your winter getaway plans!
The Remarkables vs Cardrona: Location and Accessibility
The Remarkables’ close proximity to Queenstown might be preferable for those who want to minimize travel time. On the other hand, Cardrona’s central position between Queenstown and Wānaka offers more flexibility in terms of accommodation and other activities.
The Remarkables
Address: Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Phone: +64 800 697 547
Access to The Remarkables is relatively straightforward, with a sealed road leading right up to the base building. The drive offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu, and there are also regular shuttle services from Queenstown.
Cardrona
Address: Cardrona Valley Rd, Cardrona 9305, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 443 8880
Getting to Cardrona involves a longer drive from Queenstown, but the journey is filled with picturesque views of the Southern Alps. The access road to Cardrona is partially unsealed, which can be challenging for some drivers, especially in winter.
However, there are regular shuttle services from both Queenstown and Wānaka.
The Remarkables vs Cardrona: Skiing and Snowboarding Facilities
Both the Remarkables and Cardrona offer fantastic facilities for skiing and snowboarding. However, if you’re into freestyle skiing or snowboarding, you might prefer Cardrona for its extensive terrain parks.
The Remarkables
- Slopes: The first thing you’ll notice at The Remarkables are the slopes—they’re everywhere! There are gentle slopes for beginners or advanced slopes for the really experienced skiers and snowboarders that will surely test your skills as they did ours!
- Services: The Remarkables also offers a snow sports school where friendly instructors can teach you how to ski or snowboard. If you don’t have your own equipment, no problem—you can rent everything you need right there at the resort.
- Overall Experience: Everyone is there to have a good time, so there’s a real sense of excitement in the air. Plus, the views are amazing—think beautiful mountains and Lake Wakatipu in the background.
Cardrona
- Slopes: For those who are new to skiing or snowboarding, there are a few gentle slopes where you can learn and practice and plenty of intermediate and advanced slopes where you can zoom down the mountain at a faster pace.
Many come here, though, for their terrain parks. These are areas with jumps, bumps, and rails where you can try out cool tricks—try your luck at sliding down a rail or catching some air off a jump!
- Services: At Cardrona, they also make sure you have everything you need for a day on the snow. If you don’t have your own gear, you can rent skis, snowboards, helmets, and other equipment.
- Overall Experience: Cardrona is also full of positive vibes and stunning views. Looking out over the snowy mountains and valleys as you glide down the slopes—it’s a sight you won’t forget!
The Remarkables vs Cardrona: Other Amenities
Both the Remarkables and Cardrona provide a range of amenities beyond the slopes, like restaurants and childcare facilities. However, Cardrona stands out with its available on-mountain accommodation.
The Remarkables
- The Remarkables has a variety of amenities to enhance any skiing experience. The base building houses a fully-equipped rental department, a retail shop, and a medical centre for any unexpected incidents.
- Food and beverage options include The Remarkables Cafe, serving up hot meals, snacks, beverages, and even slices of pizza, perfect for a quick bite between hitting the slopes.
- For families, there’s the Kea Club which offers lessons for kids aged 4 to 17. They also have a licensed early learning centre for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
Cardrona
- Cardrona boasts four cafes/restaurants with a range of food options, from quick snacks to full meals. There’s also a fully-stocked rental department and a retail shop where you can purchase gear and souvenirs.
- For those with children, Cardrona has a nursery for children aged 3 months to 3 years. They also have a Kids’ Club for those aged 4 to 14 that offers ski and snowboard lessons.
- One unique feature of Cardrona, though, is its on-mountain apartments, perfect for travellers who want to stay overnight at the slopes, as it’s extremely convenient.
