A person whips there bike to the side as the do a jump in the Cardrona bike park.

Unlock alpine trails at Cardrona Bike Park

Cardrona Mountain Biking Passes

Whether you’re here for the season or a post-work adrenaline rush, you’ll find a mountain bike pass that will suit you. Kids under 6 ride bike trails for free!

Mountain Biking Passes

Explore options for season passes day, multi-day bike park access.

Unlimited Laps

Season Pass

MTB Season Pass

Summer 2026 Coming Soon

  • Unlimited access to Cardrona

  • 345ha and two chairlifts

  • Ride all season (no blackout dates)

  • Beginner to advanced trails

Learn More

Lift Pass

20 Ride MTB Pass

Summer 2026 Coming Soon

  • 20 total uplifts on McDougall’s and Whitestar

  • 345ha and two chairlifts

  • Ride all season (no blackout dates)

  • Beginner to advanced trails

Learn More

Lift Pass

Multi-day MTB Pass

Summer 2026 Coming Soon

  • A two or three-day lift pass

  • 345ha and two chairlifts

  • Extended play on Fridays (ride until 8pm)

  • Beginner to advanced trails

Learn More

Lift Pass

Single Day MTB Pass

Summer 2026 Coming Soon

  • One full day of riding at Cardrona

  • 345ha and two chairlifts

  • Extended play on Fridays (ride until 8pm)

  • Beginner to advanced trails

Learn More

Lift Pass

TGIF MTB Pass

Summer 2026 Coming Soon

  • The best way to welcome in the weekend

  • Valid from 4pm - 8pm on Fridays

  • 345ha and two chairlifts

  • Beginner to advanced trails

Learn More
Explore All Passes
Mountains icon.

Some of NZ’s highest mountain bike trails

Mountain bike icon.

With some of the longest descents

Signage icon.

Flow and technical beginner to advanced trails

Mountain carting icon.

Home of Australasia’s only mountain carting

Two friends ride down a technical section at the Cardrona bike park.

What's Included

Mountain Biking Passes

With a Cardrona mountain biking pass, you’re unlocking some of New Zealand’s longest mountain bike trails.

  • Two basins of trails accessed by two chairlifts

  • The highest and longest descents in New Zealand

  • Beginner to expert trails

  • Flow and technical trails

  • 6 hours of riding a day, with late nights on Friday!

Three mountain bikers pause on a rocky ridge, chatting and enjoying the expansive mountain views around them. Their bikes rest nearby, and the scene is bathed in soft sunlight.

Bike School

Mountain Biking Lessons

Partnering with Queenstown-based Treadmark, we host specialised coaching programmes that cater to everyone, from beginner to advanced riders. Lessons are a great way to help level up your skills and get the wheels turning on progression. From flowy greens to technical blacks, Cardrona offers options for every ability level, with skilled instructors ready to help you ride confidently and have fun!

Learn More
Two mountain bikers descend a steep, golden hillside trail surrounded by shrubs and dramatic alpine terrain under a clear blue sky.

Mountain Biking

Health & Safety

Do you know how to ride safely on the trails? Check out the Mountain Bikers Code for tips on how to look after yourself and others.

Due to the nature of our trails, we recommend riding a mountain bike that has disc brakes and suspension designed for downhill trails.

All mountain bikers must wear a certified mountain bike helmet. We recommend wearing a full-face helmet and gloves when riding.

We operate a team of Dirt Patrollers that respond to injuries on the mountain. If you get injured on the trail and are unable to move, you can flag down a staff member or other rider who can notify the lift operator at the bottom of the lift. Tell them the injured person's location and the injury's nature (if known). Alternatively, if you can return to the Base Area, pop into the medical centre to see Patrol.

Want to ride with the kids? ‘Shotgun’ and ‘Do Little’ mountain bike seats can be used at the Bike Park; however, we recommend sticking to the Green Trails and taking it easy. Please ensure that the seat is set up correctly and well fitted to the bike.

Looking for trail progression or flow vs technical trails? Check out the trail map with all our trail options.

We have various signage placed on the trails to inform you of what lies ahead. Examples include trail name/ grade, merge, drop, and closed.

"Really awesome bike trails!"

Best example of a park with the 'Whistler' model done right - awesome skiing in the winter and a fully complete bike park in the summer. Love the ride down to the Cardrona pub too!

Adun Dunn

A person rides over a large jump at the Cardrona bike park.

Frequently
Asked Questions

2024/ 25 Summer Season Dates & Opening Hours (Cardrona Only):

December 14, 2024 – March 2, 2025 (closed Christmas Day).

Half-day passes are valid from 1pm to close.

  • Off-peak:

    • 14 – 24 December, 2024 & 21 January – 2 March, 2025

    • Open 5 days per week (closed Tuesday & Wednesday)

    • 10am – 4pm (Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday)

    • TGIF (every Friday): 12pm – 8pm

  • Peak

    • 26 December, 2024 – 20 January, 2025

    • Open 7 days a week

    • 10am – 5pm (Saturday - Thursday)

    • TGIF (every Friday): 12pm – 8pm

If you’re a first-timer, we recommend getting started on the beginner-friendly green trails, where you’ll be set up for a fun and enjoyable experience.

E-bike users are also welcome, as long as it's full-suspension. We ask e-bike users to load their own bikes onto our lifts.

Kids are more than welcome at Cardrona! We recommend full-suspension bikes with disc brakes for riding at Cardrona - please check in with Patrol if you're not sure about your kids’ bike on our trails.  

Kids facilities include:  

  • Beginner flow trail on the learners' slope (next to the tunnel)  

  • Pump track and skills area outside The Lounge  

  • Child bike lessons with the Cardrona Bike School - highly recommended for beginner and intermediate downhillers

  • Giant games outside The Lounge for boredom busters at lunch time 

  • If you're not confident loading your kids on the chairlift, ask the lifties for help or jump into gondola cabin 

Definitely! We have a bike school which helps sharpen your skills in summer. Partnering with Treadmark, we host specialized coaching programmes that cater to everyone, from beginner to advanced riders. You can book lessons with Treadmark directly.

We love dogs at Cardrona, but to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests, dogs are not permitted within the operational Bike Park area (i.e. all bike and carting trails when open to the public).

Dogs are welcome in designated areas but must be on a leash or securely crated at all times. These areas include the carpark, base area, and walking tracks. Please ensure you clean up after your dog and respect others' comfort around pets.

Certified disability assist dogs, and working dogs under the supervision of Cardrona staff or rescue personnel are the only exceptions to these rules.

Thanks for helping us keep Cardrona safe and enjoyable for everyone!

Pengi rips in summer. You’ll usually find them travelling and competing in the world cup, but when they have a spare week from time to time, they come home to ride at some events up Cardrona.

Still need some help? Get in touch using our

Proudly supported by:

image

A mountain biker riding on a trail, with ski lifts in the background.

No bike? No problem.

Mountain Bike Rentals

Stocking Trek and Kona bike brands, with options for full suspension, downhill and kids’ bikes.

Learn More
A person riding a mountain cart, creating a trail of dust on a gravel track.

NZ’s only mountain carting experience

Mountain Carting

Three wheels, three times the fun, and one summer activity for your bucket list.

Learn More