And the resort's children must love the All Blacks, for they gave Kieran Read, Scott Barrett, George Bridge, Matt Todd and Sevu Reece a heroes' welcome when they visited Wakatipu High School yesterday.
They might all be Crusaders, but they were welcomed into Highlanders territory with a lively haka and a waiata by pupils.
The questions ranged from captain Kieran Read's favourite animal - tiger - to what they would be doing for a living if not playing rugby.
Needless to say, Read did not bring his skis with him to the resort.
He told the Otago Daily Times he had been skiing only once in his life, aged 10.
"I'm saving that until after my career."
He understood what a thrill it was for young people to meet All Blacks.
When he was an 8-year-old living in Counties Manukau, legendary player Michael Jones spoke at his school's prizegiving, and he got a photo with him.
"It was a fantastic experience - he was one of those guys I really looked up to.
"It's such an awesome feeling in the room when you've got all the kids together and they've got smiles on their faces."
The naming of the 31-man World Cup squad on Wednesday had been a big milestone, and he had been looking forward to the first get-together in Christchurch.
"When we get on that plane to Japan it's going to be fantastic".