Competitors are normally dressed in protective clothing for their blistering ride down the snow-covered mountain, much to the amusement of onlookers, skiers and snowboarders.
For the Winter Festival it's a bit of a novelty event, but for Brenter Snowbikes the idea of putting bikes on snow has resonated with over 100 resorts around the world, helping it become one of the fastest growing snow sports in the world.
Weighing little more than a pair of skis, snowbikes are at the cutting edge of technology and, this weekend, residents in Queenstown and Wanaka will get to go for a burn on the bikes at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona.
With the seat of a bike and straight "handlebars", instead of wheels, the snowbike features two small skis.
The first sit ski - now known as the snowbike - was invented by Engelbert Brenter, and the design patented on March 10, 1949.
The first speed record on a snowbike was set by Erich Brenter in Cervina, Italy, in 1964 when he hit a top speed of 166kmh, which was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
Brenter Snowbikes Australasia director Paul Read said there were now snowbike operations in 120 resorts worldwide, the sport being highly popular in Europe and the United States.
"[It] is one of the fastest growing snow sports, particularly among the [over] 35s and women," he said.
"Snowbikes have been a big hit with a variety of people, including those new to snow sports who have become advanced riders in only a few hours and can enjoy even the most advanced terrain immediately, rather than the years it sometimes takes to get the same ability on a ski or snowboard.
"There are also ex-skiers and boarders who stopped due to knee or other health reasons who took up snowbike riding as a low-impact alternative, allowing them to once again enjoy the same speed, control, fun and thrills they used to have on skis or a snowboard, but without the heavy spills or higher risks of injury."
Brenter Snowbikes will be in the Lakes District between September 6 and 16, offering free demonstration rides to anyone interested.
