New Biking Event at Cardrona Alpine Resort

With additional trail construction and maintenance now underway for the re-opening of the Cardrona Bike Park on April 4th, a new downhill mountain biking event: The Cardrona Mega Avalanche has been confirmed to take place on April 19th.

Cardrona and Highlands Motorsport Park are collaborating to bring mountain bike racing into the motorsport arena of the Repco Race to the Sky event. On the last day of the Bike Park season (Sunday April 19) Cardrona will host its Mega Avalanche, a downhill mountain biking event that mixes gravity assisted excitement with endurance levels of fitness.

Mega Avalanche originated 20 years ago in Alpe D’Huez in the French Alps which receives around 1700 participants from over 20 countries. This is the first year for the Cardrona Mega Avalanche but due to the universal popularity of enduro racing and downhill mountain biking, it is expected that the race will become a rite of passage for enthusiasts from around New Zealand and the world.

Race to the Sky spectators will be able to watch the start of the Mega Avalanche race on big screens in the village. True to Mega Avalanche form, the race starts with a sprint to get to the front of the pack before entering the narrower sections of the course. The course is 14 kilometres long down 1,300 vertical metres and includes a mix of open trails, twisty single tracks, steep descents and narrow technical switchbacks. The spectacular finish line in the Cardrona Village sees riders enter into the awards arena where $5000 worth of cash and spot prizes will be up for grabs. Sponsors of the Mega Avalanche include Outside Sports, Altitude Brewing, Smith, Fox, Mons Royale, Race Face and Highlands Motorsport Park.

CARDRONA BIKE PARK

The Cardrona Bike Park will be open from April 4-19, which will be the last opportunity to ride at Cardrona before the winter season’s Opening Day of June 13. The Cardrona Bike Park will be open daily from 10am-4pm with the Whitestar chairlift operating for trail access. Day passes will be $60 for Adults and $40 for Children (17yrs and under).

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New trails that are currently under construction will offer a considerably larger amount of beginner’s terrain to suit recreational mountain bikers and families. An on-mountain workshop for bike maintenance and repairs, a retail store, as well as food and beverage facilities will be available. Cardrona is currently taking bookings for their on-mountain accommodation over the April opening period.

REPCO RACE TO THE SKY PRESENTED BY HIGHLANDS

New Zealand's iconic Race to the Sky was last held in 2007. From April 17 to 19 this year, with the support of one of New Zealand's most respected automotive brands Repco, the Highlands' team will bring this unique and thrilling event back to life. Since the world-famous Pikes Peak route was sealed, the Race to the Sky is now the world’s longest gravel hill climb.

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