Queenstown, New Zealand, is renowned for its world-class downhill trails, which attract many of the biggest-name professional downhill racers to train in the off-season. But if you’re a newer rider, the legendary lines in Queenstown can be pretty intimidating. Thankfully, a brand-new trail will now serve beginner riders looking for downhill flow.
Coronet Peak has just opened the “highly anticipated” Whakatipu View trail, which offers 5km of beginner-friendly flow. “It offers a new gateway to gravity mountain biking for beginners, families, and riders who want a gentle, confidence-building introduction to downhill terrain,” according to a press release from Coronet Peak. “The trail features an overall grade of 8%, smooth bermed corners, rolling turns, and expansive views across the Whakatipu basin.”
“Whakatipu View is exactly the kind of trail our community has been asking for,” said Nigel Kerr, Ski Area Manager for Coronet Peak. “Downhill mountain biking can feel intimidating, and having a genuine Grade 2 top-to-bottom option opens the sport to many more people. It’s the perfect step between the district’s river trails and riding in the alpine environment.”
Whakatipu View was built by Queenstown-based trail building company Dirt Design. They broke ground on the $125,000 project in October 2025 and completed it on February 7, 2026. The trail is now open to the public.
Just the beginning of a more expansive trail development project
When I rode Coronet Peak in late 2024, I was awestruck by the spectacular views from the above treeline resort, and the steep trails filled with flowy berms and plenty of gnar in between were some of the best I rode in New Zealand. However, at that time, there were only two true downhill trails on the mountain, with a third trail that could be ridden downhill, but also functioned as an uphill.
But that’s all about to change.
Whakatipu View is the first installment of an extensive mountain biking master plan for Coronet Peak approved in 2024. “The masterplan enables the development of up to 15 trails of varying grades within the ski area, as well as two that will eventually extend toward the valley floor,” according to the press release.
This is particularly exciting, as the Dirty Four route (anchored by the Rude Rock trail) from the top of Coronet Peak to the valley floor is widely regarded as the best ride in Queenstown, and one of the best in New Zealand. So to hear that they’ll add 15 new trails, including two new routes running toward the valley floor, is kind of mind-blowing. Imagine getting to choose from not one but three Rude Rocks?!
Next up on the build list is a World Cup-level trail, which will get a Grade 6 rating. Grade 6 is New Zealand’s most advanced rating, denoting extreme technicality and steepness that reflect the upper echelon of trail difficulty. Grade 6 trails are so gnarly that you won’t find them in most parts of the country. In other parts of the world, they might be called “pro lines.” This top-tier downhill race trail will allow Coronet to host Oceania and National Championship-level races. Coronet Peak anticipates the Grade 6 trail to open in December 2026, with construction on the Grade 3 Velvet Rolls trail to commence after that.
Know about a new trail project we should cover? Whether you’re breaking ground on the next must-ride destination or putting the finishing touches on a neighborhood flow trail, we want to hear about it. Drop us a line at [email protected] with high-quality photos of your build, plus details like trail mileage, location, difficulty, and what makes it special. We’re always on the hunt for the next great trail story, and there’s a good chance your project could be featured in an upcoming article.
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