Skyline Gondola officially opens its services to the mountain-biking public today, with unanimous support from the council, Skyline Enterprises and the Queenstown Mountain Biking Club.
After months of preparation, the gondola will officially begin ferrying mountain bikers to a network of newly developed trails in the Bob's Peak Reserve from 10am.
Skyline Queenstown's mountain biking project co-ordinator Brad Rowe said more than 200 season passes - of the total 500 - had been sold so far.
"We're all very excited for the opening. It's been a long time coming and it's all finally ready to go," Mr Rowe said.
Skyline Enterprises had invested about $100,000 in the project, and recently announced the naming of their new 6km "Hammy's Track", in homage to Ian Hamilton.
Mr Hamilton used his bulldozer to form the original road to Bob's Peak in the summer of 1961-62.
"Hammy's Track is graded as easy, which offers a different option to trails on the hill which are for more experienced riders.
"It's a good track with jumps, log rides and rollers," Mr Rowe said.
Queenstown Lakes District Council district forester Briana Pringle said the council would open eight mixed-level mountain-biking tracks in the forest, but earlier suggestions to sponsor the tracks for maintenance costs had been "put on hold".
"We've put that back to the mountain biking club to cover. There are no leases or licences on the trails at the moment, but QLDC has a contract for Skyline's track," she said.
Maps of the new trails are available at cycle shops around the resort.
"The trails are looking really good. There's been a lot of really hard work by the mountain bike club and Skyline to make everything right," she said.
Queenstown Mountain Biking Club president Lance Brown said the whole community was "buzzing".
"There's a real good vibe, and a really good buzz around town. Excitement is building in the community and everyone's just ready to explore the forest," he said.
Gondola access to the trails will be open for recreational riders with passes from today until May 29, from 10am to 8pm.
Lift ticket prices:Single uphill gondola ride (including cycle): $30Half-day pass (10am-3pm or 3pm-8pm): $40Day pass: $70 adults, $60 youths.
Three-day pass (used in a week): $165 adults, $135 youths.
Five-day pass (used over two months): $250 adults, $200 youths.
Season pass: $475 adults, $375 youths.
