Outgoing games chief executive Arthur Klap says a decision on whether to hold the games annually from next year is finely balanced.
``It's super-close. We have a board meeting on November 27 and a definite decision will be made then.
``But the draft plans are done for next year - we have the programme in place and just need the final sign-off on one component of the financial picture.''
Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore said annual games would boost the town's profile as a skiing destination, particularly for free skiing, free riding and cross-country skiing.
The games timing in the shoulder season was ideal for spreading visitors throughout the year, and those who came specifically for the games were valuable because they tended to stay longer.
``There are a lot of huge positives, and if we had that every year, it would be fantastic.''
NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said the greatest beneficiary would be snow sports in general.
He was keen to see the ``hard-won'' commercial sponsorship for the event spent heavily on supporting the region's winter athletes and encouraging the growth of snow sports.
Mr Klap said $1 million-a-year in government funding had been secured for the next four years.
That represented about a quarter of the cost of putting on the event, and brought the Government's total contribution to $9 million since 2008.
Thrashing out the details of commercial support through to 2021 was the final piece of the puzzle.
The games, which are held at Queenstown and Wanaka's four ski areas, have run every two years since 2009.
The average budget is about $4.4 million, and this year 930 athletes from New Zealand and overseas took part, including many northern hemisphere national ski teams.
Many of the Kiwi athletes, including Queenstown snowboarder Tiarn Collins, have been selected for the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February.
That was part of the overall plan, Mr Klap said.
``The Games provide an international platform and complement fantastic local programmes - especially at Cardrona.''
It was a major achievement to secure 14 years of support from New Zealand Major Events, which was meant to be for a maximum of three.
``What the Government has recognised is an event like the Winter Games provides such a huge economic benefit for New Zealand and the region, they get the return on their investment.''
``I really credit the Government for recognising that.''
The financial reports on this year's games, held during August and last month, were expected to be out soon, and were likely to show it had been the best games yet, he said.
