Visitors to Cardrona Alpine Resort this summer will now have the opportunity to mountain bike from the resort to the Cardrona Hotel with the launch of the Cardrona ‘Peak to Pub’.
Mountain bikers will now be able to ride the historic route across private land, hosted by Cardrona staff, from January 20 on every operational day. The daily ride to the Cardrona Hotel is a complimentary event down the 7km track that covers a 1,100m vertical descent.
“We listened to feedback from our guests and we’re stoked to be able to offer the Cardrona Peak to Pub. This is a fantastic ride down a track so rich in Cardrona history and we can’t wait to share it with the mountain biking community,” says Cardrona’s General Manager Bridget Legnavsky.
The Cardrona Peak to Pub is a backcountry freeride experience down the lower Cardrona Bike Park trails, joining the legendary “Persecution Road”. The road was the original Cardrona ski field access road, built by founder John Lee – without permission. The Lees were threatened with legal action by the local council for years after the road was built, which gave the road its unusual name.
Mountain bikers wishing to join the Cardrona Peak to Pub ride will need to meet Cardrona staff under the Archway in the base courtyard area at 4pm daily. The trail is a mix of single track and backcountry riding, so some experience in downhill mountain biking is essential.
Cardrona is continuously working towards opening new trails this summer. A new intermediate trail named “Low Vis” opened today in the main basin. A small link track named “Jacob’s Ladder” has also been introduced to help deter guests from the national’s downhill trail. Cardrona now have over 15 different trail options with more to come in the near future.
From January 20, Cardrona is also offering a free daily shuttle service (including bike trailers) from both Queenstown and Wanaka. The shuttles leave at 8.45am from Cardrona Corner in Wanaka and Outside Sports in Queenstown. Returning shuttles to both Queenstown and Wanaka will collect Peak to Pub riders from the Cardrona Hotel at the end of their ride on request.
Cardrona have extended their Friday opening hours to 8pm with lift tickets from 4pm priced at only $35. This summer, Cardrona is also offering mountain carting from $45, scenic chairlift rides/walking from $25, ‘Alpine by Night’ stargazing experiences from $79 and alpine apartment accommodation from $149. For more information visit www.cardrona.com.
