The 5km-long ‘Whakatipu View’ trail, which runs from the top of the lift to the ski area’s base building, is the Basin’s first-ever grade 2 trail.
Therefore it is appropriate longtime Coronet Peak staffer and veteran MTB competitor Erin Greene has been given the honour of cutting the ribbon before hitting the trail with two-year-old daughter, Heidi, riding on a Shotgun seat.
Greene, who’s the mountain’s trail safety boss in summer and its ski patrol team leader in winter, says Whakatipu View has been built with kids and families in mind.
‘‘It’s ideal for someone who has riding experience, but is looking to start riding some mountain bike trails.’’
Ski area manager Nigel Kerr says Coronet Peak can seem ‘‘incredibly intimidating’’ for riders who haven’t tried downhill trails before.
Built by local company Dirt Design since November, Whakatipu View provides a step between a riverside trail and a steeper downhill trail, Kerr says.
Part of NZSki’s strategy for keeping the mountain’s infrastructure operating for a greater part of the year, it brings the number of mountain bike trails at Coronet Peak to four.
It’s also part of a mountain biking masterplan for the mountain, approved by the Department of Conservation in 2024, that’ll enable a total of 15 trails on the ski area and two new ones heading for the valley floor.
Next in the pipeline is the grade 6 ‘World Cup’ trail — an extreme, top-to-bottom 1.9km run designed to test professional riders.
It’s expected to be ready in time for the next summer season starting in December.
- Whakatipu View opening ceremony, Saturday, 10.30am, near the top of the lift. Coronet Peak’s offering a 50% discount on kids’ lift passes for the day
