QUEENSTOWN

If Queenstown’s laidback atmosphere and the potential to take part in pretty much every sport under the sun aren’t enough of an enticement for you, the trails don’t just live up to expectations, they surpass them by a long way. Coronet Peak ski resort is a good place to kick a trip off – the lifts are only open for a couple of weeks each season and give you access to just two trails, but these have amazing turns and some serious brown pow. A stone’s throw from the town centre lies Skyline Queenstown, a bike park that’s home to over 30 downhill runs. The blue trails are massively fun, with loads of features to play on, while the black runs are seriously steep. If lift-accessed riding isn’t your thing, a (brutal) fireroad climb takes you to the top of the park to ride some groomed trails, or a quick drive out of town takes you to Seven Mile, another council-supported place to ride, with a web of trails. Then there’s the skilfullysculpted and meticulously-maintained Gorge Road jumps, which you’ll almost certainly have seen on video, and look to have finally been saved from demolition. There are more places to ride not far from town, too, including The Remarkables (upliftable) and Cardrona (lift-accessed), The trails and scenery really are something special, but it’s the community that makes this area so unbeatable. Why not make a proper holiday of it and head up to Rotorua on the North Island, too? A stop on the Crankworx world tour, it’s home to the country’s first all-season gondola-assisted bike park.