What is the minimum age to take the course?

Minimum age is 15; candidates up to age 99 are accepted per the course listing.

Where and when do we meet?

The default meeting point is Wilsons Bay car park; specific start times and logistics are provided after registration.

What is the refund or cancellation policy?

Non-attendance forfeits payment; injury/illness with a doctor’s note within five business days can receive a 50% refund; no refund once the course starts.

What protective gear is required?

A modern helmet that fits correctly and knee pads are mandatory; gloves and elbow pads are strongly recommended.

When is the course confirmed?

Courses require minimum numbers and are confirmed two weeks prior to the start date—don’t book travel until you have confirmation.

Earn PMBIA Level 1: 3-Day Intermediate Mountain Bike Instructor Course in Queenstown | Workshop | Bike Tour

Q: Are Class 1 e-bikes allowed?

Class 1 e-bikes are normally not permitted unless pre-approved for accessibility—contact info@pmbia.bike before registering.

Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in Otago, New Zealand. Over three focused days at the PMBIA Level 1 - Intermediate instructor certification, you'll learn to plan, demonstrate and deliver safe, effective mountain bike lessons across cross‑country and downhill terrain. Meeting at Wilsons Bay car park, the course blends riding drills, teaching theory, practice-teaching and workshops on bike-set-up, risk management and first aid. Taught to PMBIA standards, the curriculum balances coaching craft with hands-on riding progression so candidates leave able to build lesson plans, manage groups and coach foundation maneuvers consistently. The training takes advantage of Queenstown’s diverse trail network: gravity-fed singletrack, chunky schist-strewn flow lines and steeper technical bench cuts that carve the hills behind town. From Lake Wakatipu’s glacial valley rim to the foothills beneath the Remarkables, instructors practice on trails that simulate real guiding scenarios—cross-country climbs, bermed descents and short technical sections where line choice and demonstration matter. Expect practical feedback, video coaching options and peer teaching that accelerates both your riding and instructional clarity. This course is tailored to intermediate riders: candidates should ride green, blue and some black lines with consistent foundation maneuvers. Mandatory kit includes a modern helmet and knee pads; gloves and elbow protection are recommended. Class 1 e-bikes are restricted unless pre-approved for accessibility—contact [email protected] before booking. Pre-course reading and a Level 1 worksheet require 2–3 hours of preparation, and full attendance across all three days is essential for certification. Beyond the skill work, the PMBIA Level 1 is a doorway into Queenstown’s guiding community. Certified instructors join a recognized global standard valued by local guiding operations and bike parks. Courses run in most weather; only severe trail-damaging storms, heavy snow, lightning or extreme heat trigger reschedules. Note that courses require minimum numbers and are confirmed two weeks before the start—avoid final travel bookings until confirmation. For visiting riders this course doubles as an immersive orientation to Queenstown’s outdoor infrastructure: bike shops, shuttles, and a compact base of trails suitable for guiding. Take advantage of extra evenings to film teaching drills beside Lake Wakatipu’s shoreline or recon nearby technical sections. By day three you’ll have a practical toolkit—lesson structure, risk frameworks, and coached maneuvers—that makes you a safer, clearer and more employable mountain bike leader in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most active mountain-bike communities. Bring a well-maintained bike with a dropper post, tubeless-ready wheels, and a modest travel suspension setup to match Queenstown trail grades; local rental shops can supply robust trail bikes if you need one. Accommodation options in Queenstown range from budget hostels to full-service lodges, and evenings are great for reviewing footage and plotting return rides. This credential opens local guiding and coaching opportunities and beyond.

About TreadmarkNZ

TreadmarkNZ is a Queenstown‑based mountain biking operator delivering guided e‑bike adventures, private coaching, youth lessons and shuttle transport across Central Otago.
The business runs a varied schedule of half‑day and multi‑session experiences, including high‑end e‑bike rides toward lakeside routes and Arrowtown, skills sessions on trails like Bush Creek, shuttle services for Coronet Peak, and venue‑based lessons at Cardrona Alpine Resort and 7‑Mile Recreation Reserve.
Coaching covers beginner to advanced topics, with structured focus on body positioning, cornering, jump technique and downhill gravity skills. Women’s courses and progressive multi‑week programs include video feedback and tailored lesson plans. Youth sessions emphasise safety, gears, braking and terrain reading and are designed to build confidence and teamwork during school holiday programs.
Private lessons provide one‑on‑one instruction, route selection and take‑home resources such as skills PDFs; some sessions include unlimited chairlift access where available. Shuttle and transport offerings include custom pickups, premium bike handling and local trail advice to simplify the riding day.
TreadmarkNZ works with experienced local guides and instructors who focus on clear communication, professionally maintained equipment and rider safety. As a Queenstown operator featured on The Adventure Collective, TreadmarkNZ provides tailored experiences for casual riders, families, groups and committed cyclists seeking coached progression on Queenstown trails. Flexible group and private options. Booking details, availability and equipment inclusions are listed online; secure reservations recommended during peak seasons to guarantee preferred dates and guide availability.