Skiing in Queenstown is about to get to a whole new level.

Cardrona Alpine Resort is merging with the nearby Soho basin ski area, it was announced today.

It will see an additional 500 hectares of skiable terrain added to Cardrona, which would make it new Zealand’s largest ski field, overtaking Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu.

This has only been made possible because of a partnership with Queenstown businessman John Darby.

Cardrona's general manager Bridget Legnavsky told Andrew Dickens that it will mean more money for the area.

The ski field's current capacity is 5,500.

"We expect to see that number rise quite a lot larger than that."

LISTEN TO BRIDGET LEGNAVSKY TALK WITH ANDREW DICKENS ABOVE