Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown have partnered up this biking season to produce Dirt Report, a weekly round-up of all things biking in the district.

The first in this online series launched yesterday (Thursday November 25) and covers conditions, events, showcases biking locations, new trails and local talent.

Destination Queenstown chief executive Paul Abbot said the initiative is about raising the profile of the world class biking available across Wānaka and Queenstown.

“There has been significant investment, time and mahi put in, from both the business and biking communities, to the point that we now offer some of the most diverse riding in the country,” he said.

“Our district has four bike parks and thousands of kilometres of tracks that cater to a wide variety of biking styles and abilities.”

Lake Wānaka Tourism general manager Tim Barke said the emerging trend internationally is that travellers are seeking a slower pace on their holidays, to connect more with the local community, and unwind in the environment.

Wānaka ‘ripper’ Mica Drake. PHOTO: Dominic Blissett

“I think biking naturally aligns with this and that we should see considerable interest nationally in this space, and internationally when borders reopen,” Tim said.

The Dirt Report will have a similar format to the existing Mountain Watch Snow Reports that the two organisations have been working on together for the past few years.

Published weekly on Thursdays throughout the peak biking season, until the end of March 2022, the first video in the series features Bike Glendhu’s Elmo Cotter as well as Wānaka rippers Mica Drake and Thomas Benson.

Wānaka has a huge network of more than 750 kms of biking trails. Trail variety includes pedal-powered glory at Bike Glendhu, lift-access downhill at Cardrona Bike Park, helibiking for all ability levels, and local trails built by dedicated locals.

The Wānaka area attracts biking events Contact Epic, The Big Easy, Red Bull Defiance, Deans Bank 10 hour, as well as Crankworx Summer Series and Macpac Motatapu.

The Dirt Report will be available on the Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown websites as well as social media channels. Contact [email protected] to be added to the distribution list.