Alike the historic township from which it takes its name, Cardrona Alpine Resort is reputed to be somewhat of a goldmine for its family owners.
The Melbourne-based Veall family has owned Cardrona outright since 1990 and, through a combination of good management and sensible investment, has turned the skifield into one of New Zealand and Australia's leading family snow destinations.
And, with a snow base across the mountain reportedly at more than a metre, Cardrona should once again be high on the destination list for many eager skiers and snowboarders.
Cardrona was on schedule to open tomorrow with 100% snow coverage and all of its facilities fully operational, marketing manager Nadia Ellis said.
Snowmaker Hamish MacKay said recent conditions had been exceptional, with 10%-12% humidity and -9degC temperatures allowing his team of five to make excellent "chalky, dry" snow.
The skifield's new Arcadia Basin trail will be opened to cater for more advanced skiers and boarders this year.
Cardrona's signature 6.7m halfpipe is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and will host several major events in 2009, which include the Burton (snowboarding) New Zealand Open, the NZ Freeski Open and Winter Games NZ.
An investment into Cardrona's infrastructure last year brought new facilities on line, such as the halfpipe, a new high-speed detachable four-seater chairlift for Captain's Basin and a complete revamp of the Captain's Cafe.
The investment has paid big dividends for the skifield, with Cardrona's financial reports listing 2008 as one of its best years ever.
"The results reflected the quality of management and staff there, as well as ongoing capital expenditure on developments at the skifield," the Vealls Ltd 2008 annual financial report stated.
Cardrona has also picked up a significant number of extra sales during the past two seasons, as disgruntled Wanaka skiers and snowboarders shifted their allegiance away from Treble Cone after lift-pass price increases.
A successful FIS World Cup snowboarding event at Cardrona last September has played a part in the skifield attracting more events for 2009.
While such events provide Cardrona with a lift in profile, it is the skifield's customer-based focus which draws the punters back, year after year, the management says.
A solid management team at Cardrona boasts a wealth of industry experience.
The family values marketing approach, coupled with a well-run snowsports coaching academy, has attracted young beginners to skiing and snowboarding - and brought their parents along for the ride.
Training programmes and events, such as last year's inaugural Junior Snowsports championships - run by the family team of snowsports manager Bridget Legnavsky and freeskiing junior development coach Pete Legnavsky - provide youngsters with a pathway into sport.
"Grab them young and get them interested in the sport, whether it be freeskiing or snowboarding. Then you will have someone who keeps coming back to the mountain," Mr Legnavsky told the Otago Daily Times at the junior event last year.
Cardrona's management has continually recognised the importance of providing for "community-focused" initia-tives.
This includes programmes with local Wanaka schools and also backing important events, like the adaptive snowsports national championships.
Given the superb snow conditions at the skifield and high season-pass sales, early indications are that Cardrona Alpine Resort looks set to card another successful season.
