Year-round mountain bike resort to open in South Island's Gibbston Valley

A year-round biking resort catering for beginner and intermediate riders is set to open later this month on 400 hectares of land adjacent to Queenstown's award-winning Gibbston Valley Winery.

Due to open on 20th April, the Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort, located on Gibbston Valley Station rabbit-prone land, will ultimately feature 30 kilometres of tracks suitable for all levels of riders and will also include a new bike trail linking the bike resort with Gibbston Valley Winery.

Gibbston Valley Winery and local bike tour operator Around the Basin have combined to create the dedicated bike resort at an estimated initial outlay of $100,000 with further investment to come.

Designed and developed by trail builder Ben Rafferty, the first tracks are almost complete and will provide a unique family-friendly resort with a base area for relaxing between runs.

Around The Basin Director John Knight said he was "blown away" by the beauty of the site and the biking opportunities it offered for locals and visitors.

Knight explained "this terrain really is stunning. It's world-class and a mountain bikers paradise, with accessible trails for everyone, not just the adrenalin junkies."

Gibbston Valley Station has been granted consent to build a resort which will include accommodation, a commercial hub and various recreational facilities such as a golf course and walking tracks, and the bike park is seen as a natural addition to these outdoor resort activities.

It is anticipated that construction for the hotel will begin in 2014. This first hotel development is located in close proximity to Gibbston Valley Winery and is set amongst the vines.

Gibbston Valley Winery Chief Executive Greg Hunt said he was excited about the new project which had developed "very quickly" as a result of the explosion in popularity of mountain biking in the region.

Hunt added "biking is a growing market and we've got something really special here which will add to the region's already strong biking experiences.

"The Rabbit Ridge Bike Park will offer the rider the experience of a great ride on a high country station.

"This will be the area's only year-round dedicated and serviced bike resort and will help put Queenstown on the map with biking enthusiasts everywhere.

"It'll offer an approachable network of trails perfect for families and entry level bikers, but will also have more challenging trails for riders to test their skills on. The views and setting are spectacular and make the bike ride special for this fact alone it's a long way from civilisation."

The resort opens the same week Skyline's gondola access to its downhill mountain biking tracks close for winter.

Bikers at the new resort will be able to choose to cycle to the top of the Rabbit Ridge bike trails or use a provided shuttle at a cost. There are plans for heli-biking options in the future.

Gibbston Valley Winery is home to New Zealand's largest and innovative wine cave, available for wine tours, private functions, weddings and special occasions, the new Barrel Room for C&I functions and weddings, and a retail outlet.

The multi award-winning winery expanded in December 2012 when it opened the Vintners Kitchen experience and General Store at the Gibbston winery.

Around The Basin Ltd is a newly formed cycle guiding company, offering supported and guided cycle adventures as well as a cycle shuttle service within the Wakatipu Basin and Southern Lakes regions. Around the Basin (ATB) caters for beginner and intermediate riders wanting a quality cycling experience in one of the most beautiful areas of New Zealand, renowned for its spectacular scenery.

http://www.gibbstonvalleynz.com