Adventure Park users force price rise rethink

Christchurch Adventure Park has significantly increased the price of some of its lift passes – but has signalled a rethink after a backlash from mountain bikers.

Park patrons have been told prices will change on September 29.

The price for 10 uplifts would double to $200 for adults. The youth price stays at $100. The passes would be valid for longer, from three months to a year.

The price for an adult single uplift would climb to $29 from $25. Youth prices remains at $15 and seniors and students prices will decrease to from $25 to $20.

Christchurch Adventure Park (CAP) general manager Anne Newman said the park will reconsider the pricing of the 10 uplift passes following a large number of complaints from customers.

Lift passes were originally $10 as there were only two trails after reopening following the Port Hill fires.

The park now has 16 trails – some of which are half trails. Newman said this cost about $2 million to establish so, to stay financially viable, price increases were needed.

CAP workers had considered customers before announcing the changes. Concern as to the cost of the annual pass meant it was made more affordable.

‘‘People couldn’t afford to forkout upfront so we created a membership version, which is a bit like a gym membership and you get to pay monthly.’’

The new memberships would work out to be about $25 a week. Children’s pricing was cut to make the park more accessible for families. They would now pay $15 a week to ride, she said.

Some in the mountain biking community their concerns to social media.

On Facebook, professional downhill rider Wyn Masters said: ‘‘I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the most expensive bike park in the world. Nothing in Europe over 40 euro per day’’.

Christchurch Downhill Facebook group admin Josh Birkenhake said he would ride the Christchurch Adventure Park about three times a week.

The park had done a ‘‘great’’ job with youth prices and he thought it was ‘‘fairly priced’’.

‘‘CAP hasn’t had it easy, I mean we had the tragic fire that took away many trees and the tonne of trails.’’

It needed some income and support, he said.

More trails would be added to the park this summer, Newman said.