Cardrona Bike Park
Also known as: Cardrona Alpine Resort MTB, Peak to Pub
360-degree Southern Alps views; on clear days Aoraki/Mt Cook visible from the summit; vistas toward Lake Whakatipu
Who in your group rides what
Whether everyone in your group gets a day at Cardrona Bike Park - the grades on offer, the named zones, and how mixed abilities split up.
Green (flow) through blue and technical black; freeride zones
Beginner: green flow trails and pump/skills area off McDougall's. Advanced: technical blacks and the ~10 km Peak to Pub descent to the Cardrona Hotel.
Lift-accessed gravity park suits mixed abilities; beginner flow and skills area for progression; kids under 6 ride free
The riding
Alpine dirt and gravel through golden tussock, with rocky and schist ledges
Flow and technical trails, jumps, drops, rock ledges, freeride zones on open alpine tussock terrain; full-face and gloves recommended
Fully signed with trail name, grade, merge, drop and closed markers; summer trail map and Cardrona app; Trailforks coverage
Busy on peak summer days and TGIF twilights; quieter mid-week off-peak (closed Tue/Wed off-peak)
Season & conditions
Approx mid-Dec to early Mar (2025/26 season Dec 13 to Mar 1; closed Christmas Day); reopens Dec 2026
Summer only (Dec to early Mar); winter is the ski season
TGIF twilight riding Fridays 12 to 8pm during peak; Peak to Pub shuttle-linked descent to Cardrona Hotel
Alpine exposure with rapid weather change; wind, cold and rain possible; hours subject to weather closures; strong sun
Getting there & gear
Full-day MTB lift pass ~NZD 63 (est, lift only); multi-day, 20-ride, TGIF and season passes; lift plus DH rental packages ~NZD 199 (est); kids under 6 free
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Over the Crown Range from Queenstown, then a 13 km unsealed alpine access road off Cardrona Valley Road; ample parking at the base
Two chairlifts (McDougall's, Whitestar) for uplift; Queenstown bus (pre-book) and Cardrona Valley/Peak to Pub shuttle with bike trailer; private Wanaka/Queenstown transfers on request
DH bike with disc brakes and suspension recommended; carry water, layers and sunscreen; base has services; alpine connectivity variable
Noodle Bar cafe/restaurant, on-mountain Workshop repairs, Trek/Kona bike rental, pump track and skills area, lockers, base medical centre and toilets
Wanaka and Queenstown hubs; Treadmark (Cardrona Bike School); on-site rentals and workshop
Hazards & rescue
Ride marked trails within limits; entering closed areas forfeits pass; unmarked hazards possible; alpine weather closures
None; open access with a lift pass. Helmets compulsory. Coaching via Cardrona Bike School (Treadmark).
Dedicated Dirt Patrol (first aid, trail monitoring); emergency +64 3 443 1576; Dirt Patrol +64 3 443 7341 ext 721; base medical centre; return to base via lifts/roads
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand mountain-bike network report. Coordinates are approximate.