Queenstown Mountain Bike Club

🇳🇿 Huge fourth for Queenstown’s Lewis Laird in France! 👊

Queenstown rider Lewis Laird delivered an outstanding result at the latest iXS European Downhill Cup in Les Orres, France, charging to an epic 4th place against a stacked international field.

It was a massive performance and another result that shows just how strongly Queenstown riders are representing on the European race scene.

Reece Everett was also back between the tape, putting together a strong run to finish 16th among some of the fastest Under 17 riders in the world.

A special shout-out as well to Canterbury’s Lucy Jenkins, who took the win in the U17 Pro Women category. Awesome to see another young Kiwi standing on the top step in Europe! 🇳🇿🥇

With a big contingent of Kiwi riders racing in Les Orres, it was another impressive weekend for New Zealand gravity racing overseas.

The Everett family are now on an 18-hour mission back to Wales for the British National Championships, where both Reece and Nadia will be back between the tape.

Huge congratulations to Lewis, Reece, Lucy and all the Kiwis flying the flag overseas. We can’t wait to see what comes next! 👏🔥🇳🇿

Your membership keeps Queenstown riding.

While many of us are making the most of winter on the ski fields, work on Queenstown’s mountain bike trails never stops.

Trail maintenance, repairs, upgrades, advocacy, volunteer support and planning for future trails all continue throughout winter, ensuring the network is ready for another incredible riding season.

That’s why we’re asking all riders who love our trails here in Queenstown to become QMTBC members.

Your membership helps fund the work that keeps our trails open, safe and fun to ride. It also strengthens our voice when advocating for mountain biking across the region.

As a thank you, you’ll unlock exclusive offers from more than 90 local businesses. But the biggest benefit is knowing you’re helping protect and grow the trails we all love.

If you ride Queenstown’s trails, we’d love you to be part of the club that helps make them possible.

Join today and help keep Queenstown riding.

Fernhill Trails Update: McNearly Gnarly

To help protect the recent trail work, the top corners and the lower section from the picnic bench down are now temporarily closed.

With more wet weather in the forecast, we want to give the fresh trail surface every chance to bed in properly rather than being damaged before it’s fully set.

We’re aiming to reopen these sections later this week once conditions improve.

Thanks for your patience and for respecting the closures. A few days now will help ensure the new work lasts much longer and rides even better.

We’ll let you know as soon as the trail is fully open again. 👊

🇳🇿 Queenstown Riders Shine at the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Andorra

Queenstown’s world-class gravity talent was once again on full display this weekend, with local riders delivering another impressive set of results at the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Andorra.

Leading the charge was Malik Boatwright, who claimed third place in the Junior Men’s Downhill, securing his fourth World Cup podium of the 2026 season. Riding for Continental Atherton, Malik continues his remarkable campaign and now sits just three points behind second overall in the World Cup standings heading into the mid-season break.

In the Junior Women’s race, Indy Deavoll produced another superb performance, narrowly missing the podium with fourth place. The Stoic Racing rider has now scored World Cup points in five of six rounds this season and moves into fifth overall in the standings, just five points away from fourth.

Queenstown’s Jess Blewitt also delivered another strong ride in the Elite Women’s final, finishing seventh on one of the fastest tracks of the season. Racing on the loose and dusty Andorran course, Jess once again proved she can consistently mix it with the world’s fastest elite women as she makes her comeback for injury.

It was another huge day for New Zealand gravity racing overall.

🏆 Jonty Williamson continued his incredible season with his fifth Junior Men’s World Cup victory from six starts, extending his lead in the overall standings.

🥉 Sacha Earnest claimed her second consecutive Elite Women’s World Cup podium with third place, while fellow Kiwi Jenna Hastings finished fifth and Kate Hastings eighth to cap off a fantastic result for the New Zealand women.

Congratulations to all of our Queenstown riders and the wider Kiwi team for another incredible weekend on the world stage. We can’t wait to see what the second half of the World Cup season brings. 👏🇳🇿

Malik Boatwright Indy Deavoll Jess Blewitt

🚧 Trail Update: McNearly Gnarly

The team from Elevate Trails are back on McNearly Gnarly, putting the finishing touches on more trail improvements. If you’ve ridden this trail before (I mean who hasn’t!), you’re gonna love what’s taking shape.

The lower section is now open and ready to ride. 🙌

Work is continuing on the upper section, so while the trail remains open where conditions allow, please keep an eye out for machinery, trail crew and signage. If you come across an active work zone, slow down, hop off your bike and walk through. It only takes a minute and helps keep everyone safe while protecting the fresh trail surface.

Conditions are generally good, with just a few wet or dusty patches depending on where you are riding.

A huge thanks to the crew at Elevate Trails for the incredible work they’re putting into one of Queenstown’s iconic trails. Those sculpted berms and refreshed corners are looking sweet… and it’s only getting better. 🤘

elevatetrailbuilding

Every QMTBC membership is an investment in the future of mountain biking in Queenstown. You’re helping build, maintain and advocate for the incredible trail network we all enjoy. You’re supporting community events, youth development, trail projects and creating opportunities for the next generation of riders to discover a lifelong passion for mountain biking.

Whether you’re a local or visiting Queenstown these winter school holidays, becoming a member is one of the best ways to give back to the trails and community that make this place so special.

And the best part? You don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy the benefits.

As our way of saying thanks, Annual Members unlock exclusive offers from more than 90 local business partners. So while you’re here this winter, you can enjoy savings on food and coffee, shopping, accommodation, local experiences, bike shops and much more.

Keep an eye out for our Official QMTBC Supporter posters in participating businesses throughout Queenstown. Simply scan the QR code to join and start enjoying your member benefits straight away. Or click on the link in the bio above.

Support the next generation. Support the trails. Enjoy the benefits.

Please note: Exclusive member benefits are available to Annual QMTBC Memberships and are not included with a 14-Day Visitor Membership.

🚧 Trail Update: McNearly Gnarly

A huge amount of work has gone into the lower section of McNearly Gnarly over the weekend, with the crew from Elevate Trails giving it some serious love.

The trail remains closed below the road crossing for a few more days while everything settles in and the finishing touches are completed. Please respect the closure and do not ride through the work area so the new trail surface stays in top condition.

Trust us… it’s going to be well worth the wait. 🤘

The upper section remains open, and we’re aiming to have the lower section reopened sometime this week once it’s ready.

A massive thanks to the Elevate team for all their hard work, and thanks to everyone for your patience while we make one of Queenstown’s favourite trails even better.

The Elevate crew have turned these berms into works of art. Just hang tight a little longer… it’ll be worth the wait! 👊

We’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready to ride.