Video credit: Henry Jayne. Photo credit : Nicholas George Photography, Digby Shaw, Henry Jaine and Dillan Gerschwitz.
The 2026 Coppermine
Mountain Biking Festival
is coming!
NEW! TWO DAY FORMAT.
Exciting new course options, categories, sponsors , prizes,
and a massively upgraded descent!
Racers click to register here
With support from Nelson City Council, the Nelson Regional Development Agency, and our fantastic sponsors, the Coppermine race is back in 2026 as The Coppermine Mountain Bike Festival 2026. New Zealand's premier backcountry race, is now an all-inclusive two-day festival. Saturday 26th September & Sunday 27th September 2026 - Put the dates in your diaries.
We will START/FINISH both days at the Maitai Recreation Hub next to the golf course. This awesome space will mean supporters can utilise the pump track while they wait for racers to complete, and Gravity’s Airbag will be there too!.
Saturday 26 September brings backcountry xc moutain bike racing - the iconic Coppermine Classic (42km, 1100m vert), ultimate Double Coppermine (75km, over 2000m vert), challenging Epic Coppermine (39kms, 1430m vert, includes the technical “Black Diamond” section) and tactical Untethered E-MTB Challenge (one battery), all priced at $110 + booking fee.
Sunday 27 September opens the trails to everyone - Kids races, Beginner XC, Intermediate and Advanced cross-country events designed to welcome new riders to the sport. Full details and accessible pricing coming soon.
The Coppermine Mountain Bike Event weaves through some of Nelson's best back country trails and traverses, the spectacular Coppermine Mineral Belt and Dun Mountain. The Coppermine course is a stunning loop of the Dun Mountain Trail all the way to the mineral belt at the Coppermine saddle, where this unique event takes its name from. The newly refurbished descent into the Miaitai Valley will be super fast and timed!
Coppermine 2026
We are shifting from a single-day survival race into a full weekend celebration of mountain biking. Saturday tackles the high-alpine rugged backcountry in multiple formats. Sunday opens the trails to families, newcomers, and cross-country enthusiasts at a wide variety of course lengths.
Saturday Coppermine race Categories:
Acoustic (Pedal Power) Male/Female-
Coppermine Classic
Under 19
Senior (19-29)
Masters (30-39)
Veterans (40-49)
Legends (50+)
Double Coppermine
Under 19
Open (19+)
Coppermine Epic
Under 19
Open (19+)
Coppermine E Bike
Open (All ages)
Coppermine Classic Fastest Overall Male and Female titles
Add your name to the block of wood of 2026 as the fastest overall (across all age groups) male/ female
Double Coppermine title
The fastest double- copperminer's name will be added to the trophy (across all categories)
The Coppermine epic returns!
The fastest Coppermine Epic name will be added to a new trophy (across all categories)
Fastest Overall Descent title
The fatest overall descent title will be back for 2026. That's across all categories including E bikes! Riders still need to ride the whole course and finish to be eligible.
Ebike Category
The first event in New Zealand to offer this category. It races over the Coppermine Course. Love them or hate them, ebikes are here and will test a different set of skills for riders. Check the Event Information for the ebike criteria
Get Training
Watch the video below for a retro look at the treat you are in for!
Nelson's epic mountain bike race.
