Cardrona is known for its super groomed corduroy perfection and slick resort facilities. This family friendly resort is setting a new pace for 2008 boasting the country's leading ski school and kids program. The new Captain's Express high-speed detachable quad chairlift will cut the travel time in Captain's Basin ski area from nine to three and a half minutes. This means more time on snow and less time on the lift. The resort is touting the line "assuming no queues, a person who skied 11 runs at Captain's Basin would ski them one hour faster." The official opening date is June 27 and providing the South Island receives some much needed snow the Prime Minister will ski to Captain's Basin to open the Captain's Express. An avid cross country skier, the Prime Minister is no stranger to snow. The Captain's pizzeria style café has been doubled in size with an expansive sun deck that seats 240 people, complimenting the new chairlift. Captain's Basin area at Cardrona is a good intermediate ski area with access to advanced skiing along the upper ridge line. The Captain's café deck provides a prime viewing position for the skiers and boarders riding down to the chairlift. Cardrona is again hosting the International Ski Federation (FIS) Snowboard World Cup Half Pipe this season with the world's elite descending upon the Kiwi mountain to battle it out for the podium.