Skyline Gravity Park is a gondola-accessed downhill mountain bike park on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha on the western shore of Lake Rotorua. It operates from the base of the Skyline Rotorua gondola and gives riders uplift to the summit — 200 metres above the lake — from where 12 kilometres of descending trails return to the base. New Zealand’s first all-season gondola-assisted MTB park, it has trails ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 6 and sits at the top end of Rotorua’s mountain biking infrastructure, which holds gold-level ride centre status from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) — one of only six centres in the world with this recognition.
Practical Information
| Location | 185 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua — at the base of the Skyline Rotorua gondola |
| Trail network | 12 km of downhill trails |
| Vertical drop | 200 metres |
| Trail grades | Grade 3–6 (Intermediate to Expert) |
| Gondola | Dedicated cabins for up to 4 riders and bikes; ~7–8 min ride to summit |
| Uplift passes | Available from single uplift to multi-uplift packs — book via Skyline Rotorua |
| Bike hire | Full-suspension bikes only; available via Mountain Bike Rotorua (mtbrotorua.co.nz, 07 348 4295) — pre-book required |
| Facilities | Café and restaurant at the gondola base/summit; lockers; toilets |
| Operating season | Year-round (all-season park) |
The Park
The gondola is what defines the Skyline Gravity Park experience. Purpose-built cabins carry up to four bikes and their riders in each trip, making the 7–8 minute ascent efficient and comfortable — a significant upgrade from shuttle-accessed parks where truck transport is the uplift method. At the summit, the 200-metre elevation above the lake and Rotorua city gives views across the water and back toward the Whakarewarewa Forest on the far side. The descent back to the base covers the park’s 12 kilometres of trail across multiple lines.
The park is designed for intermediate to expert riders. The gentlest trails are Grade 3 — technical enough to require trail mountain biking skills — and the upper end includes Grade 5 and 6 lines of the kind used in Crankworx Rotorua, the annual international mountain bike festival held in the city. Full-suspension mountain bikes are the minimum requirement; hardtails are not well-suited to the descending terrain and are not available for hire at the park.
Trail Grades
Approximately 30% of the trail network is accessible to riders at the intermediate end (Grade 3), with the balance covering Grade 4, 5, and 6 options. The Grade 5 and 6 lines include jump trails, steep technical sections, and some of the trails used for competition events. Riders who are new to gondola parks or to downhill-specific trails should start on the Grade 3 lines and assess from there — the top of a 200-metre vertical descent is not the place to discover a trail is beyond your ability.
IMBA Gold Ride Centre
Rotorua holds the International Mountain Biking Association’s highest trail centre rating — gold level — which recognises destination trail networks of the highest quality. The Skyline Gravity Park is part of the overall Rotorua trail ecosystem that includes the Whakarewarewa Forest’s 200+ kilometres of cross-country trails. Together these make Rotorua one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the Southern Hemisphere, drawing riders from around New Zealand and internationally. Crankworx Rotorua — one of the stops on the global Crankworx mountain bike festival circuit — is held here annually.
Bike Hire
Bike hire for the park is handled exclusively by Mountain Bike Rotorua (mtbrotorua.co.nz, phone 07 348 4295). Only full-suspension mountain bikes are available for hire — this is a requirement of the park terrain, not an option. Pre-booking is strongly recommended. Riders bringing their own bikes need a full-suspension trail or enduro bike appropriate to Grade 3+ descending.
Where to Learn More
Skyline Rotorua – Mountain Bike Park — official park page with trail grades, uplift pass options, pricing, and booking.
Skyline Rotorua – MTB Pricing — current uplift pass pricing and package options.
New Zealand Tourism – Skyline Gravity Park — visitor overview of the park within Rotorua’s wider mountain biking context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do I need for Skyline Gravity Park?
Intermediate at minimum — comfortable riding Grade 3 trails on a full-suspension mountain bike. The gentlest trails in the park are Grade 3 (blue); beginners and those without trail experience should use the Whakarewarewa Forest cross-country trail network instead.
Can I hire a bike at Skyline Gravity Park?
Yes — through Mountain Bike Rotorua (mtbrotorua.co.nz). Pre-booking is strongly recommended. Only full-suspension bikes are available for hire; this is a park requirement.
How does the gondola work for bikes?
Dedicated gondola cabins carry up to 4 riders and bikes per trip. You purchase uplift passes for the number of rides you want — from single uplift to multi-uplift packs — and the gondola handles the ascent each time. The ride to the summit takes around 7–8 minutes.
What are the trail grades at Skyline Gravity Park?
Grade 3 to Grade 6 — intermediate through expert. About 30% of trails are accessible to intermediate riders (Grade 3); the upper end includes Grade 5–6 competition-standard lines.
Is Skyline Gravity Park open year-round?
Yes — it operates as an all-season park. Check the Skyline Rotorua website for any weather closures or maintenance periods.
What is Crankworx Rotorua?
An annual international mountain bike festival held in Rotorua, with events including races at Skyline Gravity Park. It is one of the stops on the global Crankworx circuit and brings professional riders and large crowds to the city each year.
Skyline Gravity Park is the top-end downhill option in Rotorua’s mountain biking network. See the cycling tracks in Rotorua hub for the full range of trails — from the gondola park to the cross-country trail network at Whakarewarewa Forest.
