After months of waiting, the Commerce Commission has approved Cardrona’s acquisition of Treble Cone, with the Commission granting clearance for Cardrona Alpine Resort Limited to acquire either the shares of Treble Cone Investments Limited or the assets it uses to operate the Treble Cone ski field. 

Chair Anna Rawlings said the Commission is satisfied that the acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in any relevant market. The Commission saw the merger as one unlikely to hike up prices or reduce the quality of services offered due the alternative options existing for skiers and snowboarders, with Rawlings overall noting “there is unlikely to be a material difference” to how Treble Cone competes in the market. 

“We also considered that the high fixed cost nature of ski field operations, and the need to maximise the number of skiers using a ski field would make coordination between the merged entity and other ski fields in the region unlikely,” Rawlings said. This announcement comes as good news for Cardrona, who already owns New Zealand’s largest skiable area. 

Bridget Legnavsky, Cardrona General Manager said “We’re very excited to receive Commerce Commission approval for the Treble Cone purchase today. We’re now working with Treble Cone Investments Ltd to complete the transaction and more information will be available in the near future.”