We picked up a real cold blast of snow on the mountain over Easter. With steel work heading up the mountain today the builders were definitely not happy about it. However it's been a great reminder that winter is on its way and there has been a flush of season pass applications as the cut off date counts along.

News this week is the confirmation of half a million dollars worth of major improvements to the snowboard terrain on the mountain.

Firstly the Superpark continues to expand with a parallel course being set up to allow the area to accommodate lower and upper levels of rider at the same time. The rail section that leads riders into the Superpark is also being expanded with several new rails on the drawing board.

Two new machines will arrive in May that will further set Cardrona apart. Both from the Kassbohrer factory in Europe. First up is a brand new 'Park Bully' snowgroomer. The first to be ordered in New Zealand, this machine is designed specifically for the demands of building Terrain parks and Gravity cross courses. With up to 40% more movement in blade and tiller it can groom all the way to vertical!

Along with the Park Bully comes a new 'Super-pipe' Magician shaping blade, designed to build halfpipes with up to 6m transitions, this blade is the only one of its type in New Zealand and should set the pipe park at Cardrona well apart. A halfpipe is being enlarged at the moment to Super pipe dimensions.

Cardrona early-season passes are on sale until April 15th. Applications can be made on-line at www.cardrona.com

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