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A new beginner-friendly downhill mountain bike trail has opened at Coronet Peak, expanding summer riding options in the Whakatipu basin.
The 5km Whakatipu View trail — graded at Level 2 — was officially opened last Saturday, with long-time Coronet Peak staff member and former elite rider Erin Greene taking the inaugural run.
Designed as the ski area’s most accessible downhill trail, Whakatipu View has an average gradient of 8 percent and features bermed corners and rolling terrain aimed at families, first-time gravity riders, and those seeking a gentler alpine experience.
Ski area manager Nigel Kerr says the trail fills a gap in the local riding network.
“Downhill mountain biking can feel intimidating. Having a genuine Grade 2 top-to-bottom option opens the sport to more people and provides a natural progression from the district’s river trails into an alpine environment,” Nigel says.
The trail is among the first projects delivered under Coronet Peak’s Department of Conservation-approved Mountain Biking Masterplan, signed off in 2024. The plan allows for up to 15 trails within the ski area boundary, with two routes eventually extending toward the valley floor. Four trails are currently operating during the summer season.
Queenstown-based trail builder Dirt Design constructed Whakatipu View, working within alpine conditions and environmentally sensitive areas.
Further development is planned, including a Grade 6 World Cup-level trail, with construction beginning this month and an expected opening next summer. A Grade 3 trail, Velvet Rolls, is also scheduled for development.
Coronet Peak’s bike park opened for the 2025–26 summer season on Saturday, December 6, 2025, and will operate until Sunday, March 22, 2026. Riders access trails via the Coronet Express chairlift, which is fitted with bike carriers for summer use.
