The first full season of the park, which offers the only gondola-assisted mountain biking in the southern hemisphere, will begin at 10am tomorrow, when Scarlett Hagen takes to the tracks with Skyline chief engineer Ross Davidson, a passionate mountain biker who has been promoting the bike park project for 15 years.
Dubbed the "Whistler of the southern hemisphere" by some of the biggest names in the international biking fraternity, including the top pro riders Dan, Gee and Rachel Atherton, the park proved popular earlier this year during a four-month trial period.
Part of the Ben Lomond recreational reserve, the Queenstown Bike Park is managed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council and is built on a steep pine-covered hill, 790m above sea level, with a climb of 500m from the bottom to the top of the Skyline-operated gondola.
The trails vary from fast-bermed and groomed trails to off-camber goat tracks, rock gardens and natural single track.
Runs are graded green, blue and black for beginners, intermediates and advanced.
Mr Davidson had been instrumental in the park's development, designing the hooks which allow bikes to be carried on the gondolas, and was project manager for the park's trial season.
"During my teens and early 20s I was always involved in motocross and enduro riding and racing.
"I've been a keen recreational mountain biker ever since we moved to Queenstown 25 years ago.
"Prior to Skyline opening to mountain biking, cross-country riding was my thing, always with the emphasis on the downhill.
"And I still get great enjoyment out of kicking my brother, son and nephews' butts on the downhill," Mr Davidson said.
Cycling was a growth industry in New Zealand, with 1.2 million New Zealanders riding bikes and more than 200,000 bikes imported each year.
Cycling tourism is also on the rise, both domestically and internationally.
The four-month trial season at Skyline was a "huge" success, with 5000 people completing more than 58,000 runs down the mountain, Mr Davidson said.
"It shows that there's a growing market for an outdoor activity in a stunning location that's suitable for everyone from beginners to families and advanced or pro riders.
"It's adding a new and exciting activity to the visitor mix as our figures already show that more than 40% of riders who used the park during the trial were international visitors.
"It's expected up to 100,000 rides will be completed in the bike park's first full season."
The Queenstown Bike Park officially opens at 10am tomorrow and the season continues until April next year. Lift tickets cost $60 for a full day or $45 for a half day.
