There are several awesome mountain bike trails on or just below the Coronet Peak ski field. They are not lift assisted and they don't make up a co-ordinated network but they can be combined in a number of interesting ways. I'll suggest some options below but first, a brief run-down.......
*** CORO XC, two way, 4 km each way, intermediate - well crafted, scenic...
*** CORO DH, descent only, 3.5 km, expert - drops, jumps, berms...
*** SLIP SADDLE, descent only, 3.5 km, extreme - brakes!...
*** BUSH CREEK, two way, 6 km each way, advanced - benched, creek crossings...
*** RUDE ROCK, descent only, 3 km, advanced, - fast, flowing, rollercoaster...
*** ZOOT TRACK, descent only, 1.5 km, advanced - narrow, rad, too short...
*** PACK TRACK AND SACK, descent only, 1.5 km, expert - varied thriller...
*** SKIPPERS PACK TRACK, descent only, 4 km, advanced - spectacular views...
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Here are some ways to put them together to make up a great day out...
OPTION 1. If you have a car, drive up to the car park just above Skippers Road. Ride up the sealed road to the end, around the ski field building and ride up CORO XC to the top and back, then down RUDE ROCK, go past your car, turn up Skippers Road and immediately take ZOOT TRACK. Ride back up to your car. ---
OPTION 2. Do Option 1 but ride out from Queenstown. That will add 28 km and 750 metres of ascent (and descent!) on sealed road. ---
OPTION 3. For three hours of amazing downhill fun on advanced trails that won't try to maim you call the Queenstown Bike Taxi, 0800 2453 8294, spend $60 and you'll get perhaps four descents of both RUDE ROCK and ZOOT TRACK. You're guaranteed to go home on cloud 27.5... ---
OPTION 4. If you're an expert rider, make your way to the ski field car park, along CORO XC and descend SLIP SADDLE and BUSH CREEK to Arrowtown. There are numerous pub or café choices there as you wait for your pick-up. Alternatively, if you're not good for the extreme CORO DH, ride up BUSH CREEK from Arrowtown and then go back down. ---
OPTION 5. For history, spectacular scenery and many calories, ride out from Queenstown to Skippers Road, take the SKIPPERS PACK TRACK, then Skippers Road to the deserted gold mining town then turn around and head back. Coming back it's a stiff climb up Skippers Road but a fast downhill on seal to the bottom of the Coronet Peak Road. ---
OPTION 6. Do Option 5 but get a shuttle to Skippers Road. True hedonists get the shuttle to pick them from the bottom of Skippers Canyon for the trip back as well. ---
There are many more possibilities. If you have a favourite, put it in a review! Remember this is a site for mountain bikers by mountain bikers!!
There are more details about the trails on their own page along with photos, map and GPS trace. If you find stuff missing go ahead and add it! More photos are always good too!
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