Vertigo Bikes is opening a rental store on Bob's Peak beside the main Skyline building, in anticipation of the premier season of gondola-assisted mountain biking in the Ben Lomond Forest, which starts on Monday.
The store launches as the Queenstown Lakes District Council opens its eight, mixed-level riding trails in the forest.
Vertigo Bikes co-owner Tim Ceci said the joint venture by QLDC and Skyline was the perfect opportunity for them to increase their exposure in an adventure activity that was "growing substantially" in the region.
"Vertigo keeps at the forefront of the biking and adventure tourism industry so we immediately recognised this as an unmissable opportunity," he said.
The new rental outlet will initially offer 18 downhill mountain bikes, each worth between $4500 and $5000.
Rental will cost $69 for half a day (4 hours), and $99 for a full day.
The number of bikes might increase with demand, and prices could be "re-jiggled" to suit Skyline gondola lift ticket packages, Mr Ceci said.
Mr Ceci and Vertigo Bikes co-director Paul Angus also plan to offer skills classes and coaching in the forest, following the introduction of a new NZQA certified mountain bike leader award.
Both have trained to an assessor level with the new programme and are waiting for the official certification to be processed.
"We were told it would be ready by the end of January, so we are just waiting at the moment, but training and classes should be available by the end of summer," he said.
The rental outlet will include a small retail shop, and a limited workshop for basic repairs.
Alongside Vertigo's new premises, the team will continue to maintain its own track, which will have free public access.
"Riders have some great options to hit the trails with ... It's going to be big for the town and big for the biking community."
