Mountain bikers have only days left to test their skills at Coronet Peak Bike Park, which will close at 7pm this Sunday February 25 after a successful first full season.

Southern Alpine Recreation sales and marketing manager David Ovendale described a solid full-operating season since January 3.

“We’re very pleased with a high attendance of amateur to elite riders of all ages over the past two months,” he said.

“By utilizing the natural terrain at Coronet Peak outside the winter ski season, we recognize the potential to generate significant income for Queenstown during summer months through mountain biking. We anticipate further developing these facilities in 2008.”

Two high profile events contributed to the success of Coronet Peak’s first mountain biking season, which operated seven days a week from 11am to 7pm.

One leg of the NZ Community Trust National Mountain Biking series, held January 12-14, attracted some of New Zealand’s best riders, including Scarlett Hagen, Vanessa Quin, Nathan Rankin and Marcus Roy, as well as a number of international competitors.

A Brake Burner six-hour Endurance Race, held on Saturday February 3, proved popular with local riders.

Former World Junior Downhill Mountain Bike champion Hagen also led a skills camp for 13-16 year old riders at Coronet Peak last month. Hagen described Coronet Peak’s 1.6km downhill track as comparable to professional trails in Europe.

Two local’s weekends enticed more than 100 keen riders each day to avail of discounted day passes.

As well as a world class downhill track, Coronet Peak developed a 4.2km downhill X Country tracks for family fun and offered a wide, smooth beginner option down the summer road - all with some of the most spectacular views in the country. A mini park gets freestylers off the ground with jumps, berms, see-saws and balancing challenges.

And the best bit – access back to the top is by the Coronet Express Quad chairlift, to eliminate any gruelling uphill grunt to maximize downhill fun.

Courtesy of Southern Public Relations - www.southernpr.co.nz