Cardrona First Timer-pakket

Great time for everyone! The instructors were amazing, and all the staff were so helpful. It was easy to get onto the mountain from Queenstown, pickup our rental gear, find the instructor and get started. They had some great food and drink options on the mountain, as well as spots to sit and enjoy the view if you wanted a break Or skiing just wasn’t for you.

Ski instructors Rory and Sophie were amazing instructors. Rory was brilliant and patient with the kids, Sophie was outstanding with my wife. Both helping create a love for the sport, the mountain and the company. True role models who exude knowledge and experience. Highly recommend lessons with either instructor. Thank you!!!

Great first time experience snowboarding. The process of getting our rental equipment was hassle free and easy. The snowboarding lessons were very fun and enjoyable. Our instructor, James, was a very friendly and knowledgeable guy. He took us through the basics and gave each of us specific advice and how to improve. He allowed us to progress at a pace that was comfortable and enjoyable for each individual. He was very enthusiastic and passionate about the sport. As someone who never touched a snowboard, I was able to go down the slope, able to stop and change direction (which i think still needs work but still much much better than when i first started). Overall, a very good package and a very good experience.

The ticketing process and hiring process was great easy and all Staff very helpful and welcoming , we went as a first time family of 5 skiing 2 adults 12yo 7yo 6yo . All was well until we meet out instructor (nick) who had no Patience and just all round grumpy , instructions were given without everyone there, we were told not help each other including helping our own kids from the ground he had absolutely no people skills. It completely put our kids off. We then went and did our own lessons with the kids with the little info we got and they were much better off without the pressure of being told off by the instructor. Over all Cadrona was well set up for first timers we just got the wrong instructor, as we were eagerly listening in to the others who were having a bunch of fun with their groups.

Booked the first timers snowboarding package with my boyfriend earlier this month, which offered a full day of lessons. Our instructor was Alistair who made our day. I really struggled with getting the hang of snowboarding and was almost at the point of giving up as I watched everybody else begin to master it. Alistair was so patient and literally held my hands, riding with me down the hill as many times as it took for me to master it. He had incredible patience and a wonderful ability to switch up his teaching methods to suit everybody in the group. Whilst I found the day very challenging, he managed to keep me laughing through the whole thing and, though I was by no means a pro, I definitely improved by the end of the day. Whilst waiting in the line for the ski lift, he even gave pointers to a snowboarder who wasn’t even in our lesson, showing just how passionate and vigilant he was being, not just to the 6 people in our lesson, but to everybody on the slope. Absolutely top bloke and would highly recommend this mountain/package for beginners. If Alistairs boss is reading this, please buy him a beer because he’s a credit to that mountain 👍🏻 Thanks so much

We had a fantastic day, all the staff were very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Our ski instructor, Caleb particularly derseves special mention. I would return based on the experience he provided. The only drawback I feel is that I feel that the food at the cafe was poor, and that the cost of certain aspects (such as food, and equipment hire) is over inflated. If one were to shop around I'm sure there is better value to be had. Overall a very good experience, I would go back but would shop around for the equipment rental and may pack my own food.

We had two days in Cardrona ski field, if you’re first timer/beginner I’d highly recommend the lesson packages. We did the 2 days package, my husband snowboard and I ski. Sophie was my instructor for both days (just got lucky!) and she was super. Very patient and look after you. She took us to the green trail at the end of the first day that was super fun. We were lucky to see some international competitors training for the winter game and at the pipe!

After the first day of all of us doing the beginners package with lessons (excellent value) we were hooked. My 14 year old is on the blue trails after 2 days on his board loving it, my 8 and 6 year old are skiing faster than me! I have to hurry to keep up! We are already planning coming for longer next year. The instructors, staff at the rental desks and out on the lifts were without exception friendly helpful and welcoming. We went to The Remarkables after this experience but the staff do not compare, especially for newbies with kids. HIghly recommend!

Great place for first time ski learner. The lesson is around 10 person in a group. The trainer was really good she make sure everyone know how to ski and teach us patiently. Will go back again. Highly recommended!!!

Staff were friendly especially the instructors. Carol (?) at rentals helped me with my ski boots and almost everyone were friendly and approachable, sans for one woman manning The Lounge but she wasn't so bad just a tad grumpy. I booked the first-time skier package with my partner and ended up with a group of approximately 10 people. Our instructor, Katarina from Finland, was simply amazing. I would recommend to anyone who has NEVER skied before to first get a private lesson before joining a group. It's a bit expensive but worth the money. The group lesson was too big for me as a first timer and I was absolutely horrendous, unable to get the basics of skiing but Katarina was patient, clever, and helpful. I ended up booking her for an hour lesson the next day and we tried different ways that worked for me. I spent the afternoon in beginner's area and was finally able to do the turns, make a snow wedge without falling flat on my face, control my speed, and even made it down the short but steep hill back to the main building without falling sideways like I did that morning. This is an awesome place for skiing especially for a newbie. Skiing is intimidating but the instructors are great in helping newbies like me get the hang of it. I highly recommend Cardrona and definitely Katarina H from Finland as an instructor. We plan to return soon.