Helen Clark opens Snow Farm’s new base building

Former prime minister Helen Clark officially opened Snow Farm’s new base building on Sunday with dozens gathering to celebrate the milestone.

Snow Farm, above Cardrona Valley between Queenstown and Wānaka, is the only public, not-for-profit, charitable ski facility in the region and New Zealand’s only cross-country ski area.

Its new $750,000 building was funded solely through donations and contains basic amenities – rentals, ticketing guest services, café and staffroom. Its located between the Snow Fun Zone (a designated snow play and tubing area) and the starting point for the main cross-country trails.

Construction of the building began in December 2023, with the work completed within five months, by Breen Construction.

Clark was joined by Southland MP Joseph Mooney, representatives of Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes, Breen Construction and Queenstown Lakes District Council, and snow farm users for the ceremony, as the snow fell.

It began with a mihi whakatau and karakia from Kai Tahu kaumatua Darren Rewi, followed by speeches from Clark and Snow Farm general manager Sam Lee and Snow Farm board chair Samuel Belk.

"We have been amazed at the incredible generosity from our community – locally and beyond," Lee says. "For the past two years, we have worked diligently to turn this base building concept into a reality and the new base area truly reflects the overall dedication, investment and mammoth efforts that has gone into making this project possible."

Lee says the hub will serve as a great foundational base to build upon and allows Snow Farm to continue developing its affordable and world-class experiences.

"For the next stage of development, we’re looking forward to collaborating with council and provide additional amenities such as year-round publicly accessible toilets, that can be used by hikers and mountain bikers during the summer months when Snow Farm is closed.

"We also aim to build upon the existing base infrastructure and add another communal area which can serve as an educational space for school groups. With this section of the base area complete, we will now set our sights on fundraising the $800,000 required to start this expansion work."

Snow Farm hosts more than 15,000 users annually, including community groups, more than 36 school groups from 19 schools from Australasia and the growing Olympic sport of Biathlon. Opened in 1989, it offers an affordable alternative to traditional alpine downhill skiing, across 52km of groomed trails.