A small town ski field on a hill in the middle of the South Island is hosting some of the world's biggest names in skiing.
Two-time Olympic champion Ted Ligety calls the slopes at Roundhill near Tekepo moderate, but "perfect", for getting back into the rhythm.
Ligety is here with the best of the best from the United States. He is using his time in New Zealand to re-build after back surgery with just six months to go before the Pyeong Chang Winter Olympics.
"It's absolutely critical we get our winter snow. As we get ready for the Winter Olympics, getting the training at a low altitude that New Zealand has is good. It allows us to bring up the intensity of our training."
The team headed straight to Roundhill as soon as they were off their long flight from the US and will be on the slopes for seven days before heading south to Ohau and Queenstown.
The open Kiwi ski fields are not as easy as they look thousands of miles away from resorts in Colorado.
Most at Tekapo's Roundhill ski field are unaware that they are skiing with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Simon Morrell manages the slopes in the area and said ski racing isn't such a big deal in New Zealand compared to Europe where athletes like Ligety would be getting swamped by fans.
A small-town ski field making a name for itself home to some of the world's best.
Newshub.
