Rate your technical skills and choose your riding style to find the perfect trip
New Zealand’s MTB grading system uses a 1–6 scale, from Easy to Extreme, with colour codes (Green, Blue, Black) that reflect both technical difficulty and the level of fitness required.
Our trips are designed for riders in levels 2–5. If you’re unsure where you fit, check out our guide below for a clear explanation of each level and our recommended trips to match.
Still not sure? Give us a call—we’re always happy to talk through the trails, skills, and your experience to find the perfect ride.
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Rate Your Skills
GRADE 5 EXPERT Why limit yourself to Skyline Bike Park when there's so much more to see. Almost all of our trips can be spiced up for you. +Don't miss BEN LOMOND ON E-BIKE +QUEENSTOWN'S FINEST ENDURO/GRAVITY.  +ULTIMATE GRAVITY HALF DAY + HELI-BIKE PEAK VERT. +TRANSPORT to Cardrona, Glendhu Bay and Alexandra.
Many years experience riding single-track and biking of all sorts of trails. You love steep terrain, jumps, rock gardens, techy trails, long descents, big ascents and discovering new terrain. Mountain biking is one of your passions and you are ready and confident to do what you love in a new and challenging place. For you, the bigger the challenge, the better.​
GRADE 4 ADVANCED +All of our PREMIUM TRIPS are great for advanced riders especially BEN LOMOND and QUEENSTOWN'S FINEST. +Check out the ULTIMATES. +SHUTTLES of Coronet Peak. +HELI-BIKING trips. +TRANSPORT to Cardrona, Glendhu Bay and Alexandra. If your group have mixed skills check out the PEAK TO PINOT ADVENURE.
You’ve got a few years of riding on singletrack trails of all sorts with features such as rock gardens, steep sections, rolls and drops, roots, and small jumps. You are confident on the bike in most situations. You’re constantly looking to improve your riding skills and climbing and descending in terrain of all sorts.​​​​​​​​​​​​
GRADE 3 INTERMEDIATE +All of our PREMIUM TRIPS (except Ben Lomond) +All all of the ULTIMATES will be perfect for you. +Some HELI-BIKING trips are suitable. +SHUTTLES of Coronet Peak, +TRANSPORT to Glendhu Bay. +LESSONS may just get you to the next level. Checkout our 2+2 SKILLS PROGRESSIONÂ for a lessons and trip combo.
You’ve got some experience mountain biking on single-track trails under your belt. You like riding most types of terrain, and you’re comfortable both climbing and descending on single-track trails with smaller technical features such as rocky sections, small rollable drops, and small steep sections. You are looking to take small risks to improve your skills as a mountain biker.
GRADE 2 EXPERIENCED BEGINNER +Scenic cycleways customised trips on the Queenstown trails. +The Dunstan Trail. +You'll make amazing progress and have fun with a LESSON. +We can adapt all of our Grade 3 Premium & Ultimate Cross Country Packages.
You’ve been riding a bike for a while and you’re most comfortable on smooth single-track and wider, forgiving double-track. You like rides with scenic views; you like both ascending and descending on well-maintained, safe trails. You’re looking for an active but safe mountain bike experience; you’re not into jumps, drops, super steep trails, rock gardens, roots or taking risks on your bike.
