SAM Magazine-Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, May 15, 2008-Cardrona Valley has received approval to build New Zealand's first access gondola. The $16.6 million gondola project will transport visitors from the Cardrona Valley floor to the ski facilities on the Pisa Range-Snow Park NZ, Waiorau Snow Farm and a third planned ski area, Roaring Meg Resort. The new lift will be more than two miles long and will ascend 3,300 vertical feet. It will transport up to 1,000 people per hour.

This is a landmark decision for the future of winter resorts in New Zealand, according to Sam Lee, Snow Park NZ manager. "We have world-class facilities available and can now deliver the whole package to ensure safety, ease of passage and an enjoyable mountain experience to our visitors. It is immensely important we can develop not only the ski fields but the means of access to them," he said.

The approved proposal for the gondola was submitted in July 2007. In addition to accessing skiing and snowboard resorts, the lift will also feature an ecological walk around the top station and links with existing hiking trails. \