Cardrona Alpine Resort is set to become New Zealand's biggest skifield, with the opening of a new high-speed chairlift in the Soho Basin.

Work will begin this summer on the new high-speed six-seater chairlift that will give skiers access to 150ha of new terrain from the 2025 winter season.

It has been anticipated for a long time, after RealNZ and Soho Basin leasee John Darby announced a partnership in 2018 and promised to open the area to the public.

In 2021, the Willow's Quad chairlift opened, giving skiers the first access into the basin.

But the new chairlift will provide access to a much larger area, and will see Cardrona's terrain increase by 24% from 465ha to 615ha, making it the biggest commercial ski area in the country. Whakapapa, at Mt Ruapehu, is currently the largest ski area in New Zealand with 550ha of terrain.

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The new chairlift in Soho Basin will make Cardrona the largest commercial ski area in the country.

The new chairlift in Soho Basin will make Cardrona the largest commercial ski area in the country. (Source: Supplied)

Soho Basin is a similar size to Cardrona's existing Captain's Basin, and will have a mix of intermediate terrain alongside more advanced lines.

Foundations for the Soho Basin Express, a Doppelmayr six-seater chairlift, will be started in February, with the towers and stations installed the following summer between December 2024 and May 2025.

The lift will be 1237m long with a vertical rise of 379m. It will have capacity to transport up to 3000 passengers per hour. The lift is due to be completed in time for the 2025 winter season.

“New skiable terrain in New Zealand is incredibly rare, and we’re so stoked to finally be able to give people the news they want – Soho Basin is officially happening,” Cardrona and Treble Cone Experiences general manager Laura Hedley said.

“Soho Basin opens up a whole new world and experience for skiers and snowboarders at Cardrona. We can’t wait to ride Soho and share it with all of you – it’s just so good,” she said.

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Cardrona also announced additional upgrades will be made at the resort over the next couple of years to support the increased capacity.

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"We’ll be upgrading our snowmaking, food and beverage, retail, and other carparking offerings to make sure we continue to deliver a great experience at Cardrona with the addition of Soho Basin,” Hedley said.