There’s a lot happening at Cardrona ski area in New Zealand ahead of the 2025 ski season.

First up, the resort is set to become the country’s largest, with a new lift opening up fresh terrain.

But the resort is also investing in a year-round freestyle skiing facility, also set to open this month, June 2025

Located in the Cardrona Valley near Cardrona Alpine Resort the earthworks and foundations were completed in the autumn and the dry slope material attached to the run in with big air bags installed for landing.

The facility in intended to enhance Cardrona’s position as a go-to freestyle destination,  as the resort already has the only full size Olympic super pipe in the south.

The plan is that the new slope will mean NZ athletes can train more in their home country ahead of the 2026 Olympics next year and beyond and the air bag minimises the risk of injury.

Snow Sports NZ is anticipating 160 training sessions per year on the air bag, an increase on the current 20 sessions per year when the air bag is above the snow line.

“The Snow Sports NZ Dry Slope Facility has been a labour of love from so many passionate people and organisations who have believed in our vision and our athletes,” said Nic Cavanagh, Snow Sports NZ CEO.