Local retailers recognising the worth of mountainbiking to the district will be offering discount deals to club members this coming season.
Queenstown Mountain Biking Club president Tom Hey said the growing popularity of the sport, boosted by Skyline Gondola's bike-lift service, had led to businesses approaching the club to become sponsors.
The result is the 365 membership card, which Mr Hey said would provide deals at bike shops, hire places, the gondola, bars and accommodation, and reflected the sports importance to the resort.
"I just think with the growing popularity it's getting busier and if we build it, it will continue ... It is going to be the big business of summer and we will see the same thing with the cross-country trails. If we build more of them, we are going to see more money coming in."
The club is also proposing an "adopt a trail" scheme, and is to start improvements on the Seven Mile town-side access trail as soon as permission is received.
