This Summer's Must-Do Helibiking Products
Tis the Season for Heli Biking
Welcome To Summer, Festivities, And Ultimate Adventure
It may be nearing Christmas, but our elves have been working hard for months now, ensuring we can offer the best products for the bike season.
As the neighbouring bike parks open for the season, we can feel the excitement coursing through the Otago mountain biking community.
Lists of to-visit trails and parks are getting written, huts and campsites are booking up, and the thoughts of which skills and tricks to work on next are all-consuming. The season is here and we're excited to be launching a new must-do product for the summer.
Read on to see why the Southern Lakes Ultimate package should be on your riding bucket list for the 22/23 season
Introducing Our New Product
Drumroll please... 🥁🥁
We have given our Southern Lakes Ultimate package the ultimate facelift.
In previous years, the Southern Lakes Ultimate was the package that offered you a feel for New Zealand biking adventure, but we knew we could do it better, bigger and jam-pack the adventure in for a full-day, adrenaline rush.
So, our bike enthusiast elves got to work crafting, collaborating, and polishing alongside local bike park experts to create the product of the summer.
New Zealand’s Most Adventurous Mountain Bike Experience
With 3 Heli-drops, the Southern Lakes Ultimate showcases the best of the region in one day.
Scenic mountain tops, purpose-built flow tracks, and an epic backcountry adventure are all enjoyed during the 35km* of trails explored, with over 2028m of descent.
When it comes to mountain biking in New Zealand, the Southern Lakes Ultimate is the cream of the crop delivering scenery, hero dirt and a delicious scenic lunch.
Your Day
After your safety briefing with your qualified guide at the meeting area, your day will start with an early morning scenic flight to the top of Mt. Alpha for a ridge-line warm-up ride, overlooking the lake as the sun begins warming up the valley floor below.
Meet your helicopter at the other end of the ridge, your second flight is to Bike Glendhu to enjoy the popular purpose-built flow and jump tracks without the crowd. This day is yours, and your guide will assist you to choose a line and track that suits your adrenaline appetite. Once you've reached the bottom, load up again for the final drop of the day.
By now, your belly should be rumbling, and rightly so. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch in the mountains, with refreshments included before heading off on your final ride of the day down the Minaret Station Downhill track - 23km of flowing tussock tracks, along waterfalls and through beech forests to finish along the shores of Lake Wanaka, where your boat transfer will be waiting.
Cap off the day with a cruise along the Lake, watching the sun's lowering light reflect off the water.
The Nitty-Gritty
DROP 1 - Mt. Alpha
Distance - 3km
Decent - -350m
Experience Level - Beginner 🟢
Riding Style - Downhill
Terrain - Alpine ridge, single track.
DROP 2 - Bike Glendhu
Distance - ~5km
Decent - 405m
Experience Level - Beginner 🟢, Intermediate 🟦, Expert ⬥
Riding Style - Downhill, Enduro
Terrain - Single track, berms, jumps, flow.
*Information is based off of certain routes at Bike Glendhu. You may choose to do different trails on the day, or talk to our guide about your abilities and desires for the day and they can customise for you.
DROP 3 - Minaret Station
Distance - 23km
Decent - 1,240m
Experience Level - Intermediate 🟦, Expert ⬥
Riding Style - Downhill
Terrain - Alpine track, forest, moderate exposure, flow.
*Southern Lakes Ultimate is not for beginners.
Key Features
7 - 9 hours
Scenic helicopter flights to each drop point
Access to exclusive privately-owned terrain
Bike Glendhu day pass
Return via boat & road transfer
Experienced guide
Multiple biking locations
Fully catered lunch and drinks
Options to tailor your day
*Minimum passenger numbers apply