Cardrona Alpine Resort
Mountain bike Private and group coaching lessons, Kids school holiday programs and Women’s specific mtb lessons
Welcome to our dedicated page for all bookings and enquiries for mountain bike lessons at Cardrona Alpine Resort. We have a range of options to suit your preferences.
Have something in mind that isn’t listed? Please get in touch - We would love to make it happen for you.
Master the bike park: Cardrona Alpine Resort
Master Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand's highest bike park with an insightful mountain bike lesson that doesn't just improve your ability but leaves you with a desire to ride more, learn more, and move past your challenges.
If you have a bike and a lift pass already. Please tick the boxes when booking to get a reduction in price.
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Master the bike park is tailored to cater to your unique riding needs, whether you're a beginner or an advanced rider.
At Cardrona Alpine Resort, beginners are supported by experienced instructors who introduce essential mountain biking fundamentals at a pace that fosters confidence and growth. From optimal body position on descents to navigating corners with flow and confidence.
For advanced riders, our sessions provide a focused refinement of techniques, with a gradual application of these skills across Cardrona’s varied trails.
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Fitness Check: A comfortable fitness level is essential for the full 3-hour ride. Ensure you can enjoy the journey without discomfort.
Fuel Up: Pack enough snacks and water to keep you energized and hydrated throughout your adventure.
Protective Gear:
Helmets: A full-face helmet is a must for complete head protection.
Body Armor: Don’t forget body protectors to safeguard against the terrain’s surprises. -
Bike rental: Book with ease and leave the setup to us!
Tell us your height and weight, and we'll prepare a bike that fits you well.
We'll make sure your bike is ready for you, to ride the trails when you arrive.
Lift pass: Included in pricing. -
Queenstown: Complimentary transport to Cardrona - let us know you address in the message when you book.
PEAK PERFORMANCE: RACE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM | CARDRONA ALPINE RESORT
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Designed to build confident, adaptable, and race-ready riders through a structured approach combining bike setup, advanced technique work, goal-based progression, and timed training.
Over the two days, participants will learn how to refine their bike setup, enhance control and speed through varied terrain and track measurable improvements using timed sections and split times.
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Complimentary transport from Queenstown.
Suspension setup (sag, rebound, compression)
Technical coaching across bike setup, skills, and timing.
Individualized feedback and outcome-based progression.
Timed training sessions and split-time analysis.
Photos, videos, and personalized video feedback from Sport Sense.
Three-session remote coaching plan for continued development.
Program Highlights
• Race-ready bike setup:
• Goal and outcome based coaching.
• Advanced techniques.
• Data-driven analysis and gains.
• Post program remote support. -
Day 1 - Foundations, Goals & Timed Skills
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
• Introductions and individual goals.
• Bike setups & checks (suspension sag, rebound, compression)10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Skills & techniques: position and stability
• Challenge stability on rougher sections.
• Begin outcome-based timing to track improvements.
• Individual feedback to align with intended progress12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
• Lunch break (30 min)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Outcome-based skills training with timings.
• Tested timed runs on two sections (one rough, one with corners)
• Short breaks as needed4:00 PM
Finish for the day.
Queenstown transport departs 4:00 PM; ETA Queenstown 5:30 PM.Wānaka participants: Pick up from the base by 4:00 PM or Cardrona village by 4:30 PM
Day 2 - Refinements, Splits & Race Runs
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
• Review observations from Day 1
• Check for setup adjustments and improvements10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Skills improvements including time trainings.
• Advanced cornering: pressure, rotational drive, line choice, braking.
• Tie back to Day 1 foundations12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
• Lunch break (30 min)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Split-time focus to maximize efficiency over sections.
• Progress checks on the same two sections (conditions permitting).
• Best-of-three proper timed race runs.3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
• Distribute photos/videos and provide personalized progress plan via SportsSense.
• Outline three-session remote coaching plan moving forward.4:00 PM
Finish for the day; depart for Queenstown (ETA 5:30 PM)
Wānaka participants: Pick up from the base by 4:00 PM or Cardrona village by 4:30 PM
GRAVITY GROMS: Group Mountain Biking Lessons at Cardrona Alpine Resort
Discover the thrill of mountain biking with Treadmark's youth-focused group lessons at Cardrona Alpine Resort, tailored for kids aged 7-15. Our sessions are engineered to elevate young riders' skills and fuel their enthusiasm for the sport, while also ensuring safety and fun. Lift pass included in pricing.
Book your spot now
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Our lessons are designed for juniors to learn and grow as a group, creating lasting memories and developing their mountain biking skills in a supportive community environment.
Friendly, Fun, and Focused: We create a nurturing atmosphere where encouragement thrives, ensuring every young rider feels a sense of achievement and belonging.
Tailored Trails for Young Talent: We carefully select skill appropriate trails to challenge our junior riders, fostering an enjoyable and fulfilling experience for every skill level.
Hassle free: Enjoy convenient drop-off times before the session and timely pick-ups afterward, to fit into busy family schedules.
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We will use the following themes on any given lesson day to foster the development of your child.
Fundamental Skills Development: Our Junior Riders Fundamentals course focuses on the core aspects of mountain biking. Kids absorb vital techniques like proper body positioning and effective braking to establish a strong riding foundation.Cornering Class is where young riders perfect their cornering technique, learning to handle curves with ease and assurance on a variety of trails.
Confidence on Steeps: Kids learn descend on steep trails with confidence, enhancing their balance and control when the trail gets tough.
Leap & Learn Jump Sessions: This theme introduces jumps in a safe setting, emphasizing control and composure to ensure each jump is met with consistency.
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Fitness Check: A comfortable fitness level is essential for the full 3-hour ride. Ensure you can enjoy the journey without discomfort.
Fuel Up: Pack enough snacks and water to keep you energized and hydrated throughout your adventure.
Protective Gear:
Helmets: A full-face helmet is a must.
Body Armour: This can be hired, please let us know if you need one. -
Bike rental: Book with ease and leave the setup to us!
Tell us your height and weight, and we'll prepare a bike that fits you well.
We'll make sure your bike is ready for you, to ride the trails when you arrive.
Lift pass: Included in pricing. -
Cardrona Valley and Wanaka: Book here - kids would need to be dropped off at Cardrona Hotel and booked onto the Cardrona shuttle that runs every hour. One of our team members will be there to assist.
Regular Days:
Queenstown: Complimentary transport (limited to 6 spaces)
Drop off: 8:30AM Coronet peak base car park
Pick up: 4:00 PM at Coronet peak base car park
Wanaka
Drop off: 9:30AM Cardrona Hotel
Pick up: 3:00 PM Cardrona Hotel
TGIF FRIDAYS only:
Queenstown:
10:30AM - Coronet base car park drop off
5:00PM - Coronet base car park pick upWanaka
12PM - Cardrona Alpine Resort top
4PM - Cardrona Hotel
1. Why travel from Queenstown to ride at Cardrona?
While Queenstown offers world-class trails, Cardrona delivers a different kind of experience— NZ’s highest bike park with lift accessed alpine terrain: longer descents, consistent trail grading, and fewer crowds. It’s offers the perfect trail progression in comparison to anywhere we have seen and its highly recommended for riders to maximize their progress and learning in a short amount of time.
2. What’s included in a Cardrona coaching session with Treadmark?
You get full-day coaching tailored to your goals, lift pass support, and if needed complimentary transport arrangements from Queenstown. We’ll break down your riding through video feedback, build specific skills like jump form, body positions & line choice, or technical braking, and help you link sections smoothly for overall stable and effective riding. Our aim is to give you tangible tools you can apply both at Cardrona and back on your local trails.
3. What level of rider is Cardrona best suited for?
Cardrona suits beginner to advanced riders comfortable on at least Grade 3 trails. We also support strong beginners looking to progress with careful trail selection and skill layering. The lift access allows more repetition and feedback in a shorter timeframe. Don’t let the travel distance put you off: Cardrona has consistently been our go to location to maximize learning potential.
4. Do I need to bring my own bike and gear?
You can bring your own full-suspension bike (ideally with 140–170mm travel), or we can help arrange high-spec rental bikes through trusted local partners. A full-face helmet, chest/back protectors and knee pads are essential and can be rented. Gloves, elbow pads are recommended. Let us know your size and preferences during booking, and we’ll handle the rest.
5. How do I book a Cardrona session and when should I go?
Cardrona operates during the summer bike park season, typically from Mid December to early March. Weekdays offer quieter trails for focused coaching. You can book a session via our booking details above or reach out directly if you'd like help syncing it with your Queenstown stay. We’ll coordinate lift passes, gear needs, and optionally arrange return transport.
