Paradise in New Zealand

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It is rumoured that the Paradiso might be closing soon. If that's true get down there soon because if you miss out on a trip to the Paradiso, you miss out on one of Wanaka's most charming venues.
Movies cost about $15. Show times vary (you'll never go in at the time they post the movie for) and at least 2 different movies are shown per day.

For your nighttime adventures, it depends on what you are after. Shooters seems to sport a younger crowd and have an impersonal feel to it. They do have a large dance floor and play Top 40 and hip-hop. They also have several big screens and show most of the sporting events. And, of course, they have pool tables.

Drinks are reasonably priced at around NZ$4 for a pint of tap beer, while mixed drinks will run you around NZ$5. (And don't forget that the standard is a double shot of 30ml.) Try happy hour for cheaper jugs and pints.

There are two downsides to Red Rock in Wanaka. The first are the stairs. After a day on the slopes, those stairs, however few, can burn. The second is the long line on those stairs on a crowed rugby night.

There end the negatives, and so begin the positives. While Red Rock has a sister bar in Queenstown, this bar does not have the same manufactured feel many of the others do. Like most of the bars in town, there is a fireplace. A piano sits across from the entryway near the fireplace. Comfy couches sit in front of the fire. High chairs surround high whiskey-barrel tables. Two pool tables are located just left of the bar, and during game night, there is no lack of television screens. Red Rock is a small bar that  can get very packed, so on weekends and game nights, get there early to get a seat and avoid the queue outside the door.

They do offer a yummy menu and daily specials of soup ($7), salad ($12), and entrées ($13 to $15). They also offer the staple bar foods, wedges with salsa and sour cream and nachos. Both are under $7 and reasonably sized for two.

As for drinks, the choice is pretty wide. They have top-shelf alcohol and bottled beers. A Tall Black, one of the locally brewed beers, goes down nice while sitting on one of their balconies overlooking the town below. The real value is in the jugs of tap beer. Export Gold and XXX, among others, are on tap. A jug will run you about $7. Find a local or someone with a Cardrona staff pass to get you discounts.

Red Rock does showcase live music, but it’s rare. The music choices are usually Top 40 and pop-ish, but it’s good fun on a Friday night. The back room is available to rent out for private parties.

Cardrona Ski Resort lies just 20 minutes out of Wanaka (45 from Queenstown) and 15 minutes up from the Cardrona Valley. Cardrona boasts about their natural snow and in a good season they get loads of lovely powder.
As of last year Cardrona had added a few features to their resort. Most people drive or catch the bus up in the morning; however they do have a few rooms for rent. They don't come cheap, but it's a nice option if you want to be one of the first on the snow. You can choose a flat that sleeps 2, 4 or 8. The twin starts at $160 a night, the 4 at $260 and the 8 at $395 (more in high season). You can rent all your equipment on the mountain from snowboard and boots, to skis to snow pants, jacket, mask, wrist guards, and helmets. They also tune and wax skis and snowboards in the shop. A one day lift ticket is $74 adult; half day is $54 and is available at 12:30pm.

They offer five eateries on the mountain, your basic cafeteria, the Mezz cafe, Juice n Java Bar, Noodle Bar and Captain's Pizza, which is on the other side of the Mountain. As for the mountain itself 25% beginner, 55% intermediate and 20% advanced. Cardies is known for its great terrain park with the jumps and half pipes. There are three terrain parks and up to four half pipes. New in 2006 the website mentions "Beginners trail" for those wanting to try free style.

Cardies is said to be the place for beginners, most of the runs are fairly wide and they've got some great programs and lessons for kids and first timers to the slopes. There is an area just off the back of Captain's for those who like to go off the beaten track. Friend's who have ventured past the resorts boundaries report back great powder runs and seem happy to trudge back up by foot. There are three lifts; a slow double over near the front of the mountain, a speedy quad called White Star and a speedy double over at Captain's. Beginners’ area has snow carpets.

On a clear day the view is spectacular. Highly recommended for first timers, families, and those who are looking to kick around in the terrain park. Recommended for those who are not too hard core about their skiing or snowboarding.

Lifts operate 8:45am til 4pm daily and the season runs from the end of June (snow dependant) til early Oct (longer if the snow holds out).

Beginner terrain is only 10%, making it not the easiest place for learners. Intermediate and Advanced share at both 45% of the terrain, however many people will tell you it leans a bit more towards the advanced being that TC is just so darn steep.
The mighty 6-seater express gets you to the top of the mountain in about 5 minutes. From there you can choose one of the many LONG runs back down to the base or you can jump over to the saddle basin (wicked in fresh powder). The much dreaded T-bar has gotten a face lift to a 4 seater lift. Be warned it takes about 8minutes.
If you are really keen for it you can hike up to the summit. It is worth the trek, specially on a powder day, and since not too many people do it you can get some great fresh runs. An alternative to the summit is the southridge. An easier walk and sometimes better lines. A terrain park was introduced in 2006 but is still a bit small compared to it's neighbor at a Cardrona.

As for facilities, TC is more about the snow than the flashy extras. There is no accommodation up the mountain and only one cafeteria, but the food and coffees are above ski standard good. They do rent out for all your equipment needs and a lift ticket will cost you $99 for adult and $65 for a half day starting at 12:30pm. A season's pass has sky rocketed in the past 3 years causing a lot of talk among locals. Pre-season price stands at $1,500.

Highly recommended for those who take their skiing and boarding seriously. Recommended for those who want to try and take their skiing/boarding to the next level and just to take in the stellar views.

Season runs from late June to early October with lifts operating between 9am and 4pm daily.