Having "memorably" performed in a Swedish igloo at the foot of a frozen waterfall in below-zero temperatures, a home-town gig in the quirky surroundings of Wanaka's Cinema Paradiso tonight should be a far warmer affair, he says.
The musician and experienced alpinist is a classic case of the personalities - and their hidden talents - who make up Wanaka's seasonal ski industry population.
Smith is a man of the mountains and fulfills a diverse range of specialist roles when based in the resort during winter.
However, this spring he has packed away his trusty telemark skis and picked up his guitar for his first solo tour of the South Island.
The acoustic folk and blues singer-guitarist returns to Wanaka at the culmination of a 10-gig tour to perform his home-grown songs.
"Touring my own songs has really helped me grow in confidence. I think they've been well received by audiences," he says.
He has spent the past year writing and is now recording his first CD, produced in his home studio.
Finding the time to write and play music can be a struggle for Smith come winter.
The 39-year-old has worked at Treble Cone since 1995 and now heads its ski patrol team.
He is one of the country's foremost avalanche forecasters, a ski instructor association examiner, and an executive member of the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.
The musician has been playing in bands since 1988.
He spends alternate winters in Sweden, with his German partner Kristin Schirmer, a nordic ski instructor at Snow Farm.
The pair work at one of Europe's largest ski schools for the disabled, teaching adaptive snow-sports programmes during northern winters.
Born in Dunedin, Smith studied geography at the University of Otago and became fascinated with snow, ice, and avalanches.
His interests led him to the mountains, helping launch a career as one of the country's foremost back-country and avalanche experts.
A lifestyle of back-to-back winters in the mountains has influenced his music, he says.
"A lot of my songs reflect the seasons and environment from wherever I'm based. They can have a huge affect on your moods and feelings."
