Queenstown's biggest snowstorm in 50 years, has forced the Queenstown Bike Park on Ben Lomond to delay opening for the 2011-12 season.
Skyline Queenstown, which was due to start providing gondola-assisted mountain bike access to the park yesterday, has moved the opening to September 17.
The delay came after the recent snowstorm that blanketed much of the South Island and dumped more than 40cm of snow on trails throughout the park, which is managed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Ongoing freeze-thaw has prevented scheduled trail maintenance by contractors Phat Lines. Work has been hampered by the weather and the need for unexpected snow clearance.
Skyline Queenstown general manager Blair Deasy said the crew was working very hard to repair and maintain trails.
"It's disappointing, but probably comes as no surprise, given we've had the biggest snowstorm in Queenstown for more than 50 years.
"This short delay gives us time to bring forward maintenance work to ensure the trails not only open in good condition, but stay like that for the rest of the season."
He said the trails had been thawing well for the crew, with "nice and wet" ground conditions, perfect for track work.
Both the Wakatipu Trails Trust and Vertigo Bikes recently announced funding for Queenstown Bike Park maintenance.
Some of that work is taking place now, before the park opens, to avoid temporary trail closures during the season.
Mr Deasy said Skyline has already sold several season and half-season passes and was compensating those ticket-holders by inviting them up for a free buffet lunch.
"It's our way of compensating loyal local customers who are mad keen to be hitting the trails. We share their frustration, but can guarantee that the park will be in the best shape possible come opening day."
While this year's opening will be without fanfare, Mr Deasy hopes having the first bikers on the gondola for the season will become a tradition to rival, or better, NZSki's coveted first-on-the-lift status.
"Our vision is to have a TV crew there, and I think we can achieve that with having some sort of personality or someone like one of the Athertons [elite mountain biking family]. We will come up with something quirky over the years."
