Flying overhead on your descent into Queenstown on a winter’s evening, you may glimpse golden flecks in the white blanket of snow that is the settlement of Cardrona, the result of the 1860’s gold rush. The warm lights in the windows of Luxxe Lodge are those belonging to happy folk at the end of another fabulous day skiing/snowboarding some of the best ski slopes in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
From the unique ‘Snow Park’, a purpose-built Terrain park, with it’s superpipe, kickers, boxes, rails and half-pipes, [The N.Z.S.A’s ‘Resort of the year 2004’]  to the Cardrona Ski Resort with 320 hectares of wide groomed slopes, three terrain parks, border x track and slalom race course, to Waiorau Snow Farm, NZ’s only Nordic Ski area, Luxxe Lodge is only two mins drive from the access roads to these world-class resorts. No need to set off extra early in the mornings to get to the mountains! No long distance driving at the end of an exhausting day! No need to volunteer a sober driver with the excellent Pub and Restaurant at the Cardrona Hotel directly opposite! And when you fancy a change, you are at an almost equal driving distance from Queenstown and Wanaka for their nightlife and shopping, and for the stunning Treble Cone, Coronet Peak and the Remarkables ski areas!
After spending some time snowboarding in the area ourselves, we found that most of the accommodation in the area was either unaffordably luxurious, or were impersonal apartments in purpose built blocks. We fell in love with Cardrona and decided to buy a chalet/rental home that would offer people the more European tradition of a unique, eclectically styled independent lodge, to be enjoyed for both winter and summer holidays.
Luxxe Lodge invites you to relax in comfort in front of the t.v and roaring fire, and around the table for a deserved hearty dinner/breakfast in the winter, or to enjoy a bar-b-q on the private terrace in the summer looking across the meadows and stream, after your exhilerating hikes, horse treks, bike rides, monster truck and quad rides, rally drive and hang gliding….all available on you doorstep!!
The Lodge is far enough away from the commercialisation of Queenstown to feel like a retreat as well as an adventure holiday, without over-stretching your pocket, or having to travel great distances to have great fun!
For those of you on the the trail of the 'Lord of the Rings,' the summit of the Cardrona road in the Crown Ranges will give you expansive views over the River Anduin, site of the Pillars of Argonath and Dumrill Dale, and the stunning snow-capped Southern Alps as the backdrop for the Misty Mountains surrounding Rivendell.
The Cardrona Valley is also a great place to stay if you are visiting for ‘Warbirds over Wanaka’, and never too far from the exquisite Vineyards and wine tastings of the Kawarau River Valley.