Lake Wanaka, New Zealand – The head coach of the U.S. Freeski Team, Andrew Woods, says that halfpipes and terrain parks at Wanaka’s resorts provide a perfect training ground for the U.S. team who base themselves each year on New Zealand’s South Island for their “summer” training.

“Events such as Winter Games NZ and The North Face Freeski Open are definitely a big attraction for us,” said Woods.  “However, the halfpipes and parks that the resorts have are very good.  We would likely come down here for training during this time of year regardless.”

For many on the team, Wanaka has become a second home.  This is Gus Kenworthy’s fourth consecutive season training here and Torin Yater-Wallace and current Overall AFP World Champion Devin Logan’s third.

Having come from an unusually warm summer in the States, the athletes are still adjusting to the winter temperatures but have managed to take time after skiing to enjoy activities such as tennis and the skate park.

“Every place is fun for its little differences, but Wanaka is probably one of the most visually gorgeous places that we visit,” says Woods. ” The lake at the edge of town is very unique and nowhere is crowded.  Some of our favorite local delicacies are ginger beer, meat pies, and, everyone’s favorite, a flat white with a dash of sugar,” referring to a New Zealand coffee concoction prepared by pouring steamed milk over a single or double shot of espresso, similar to a latté.

The team took a day off to find adrenaline in another form, jet boating on the Matukituki River, courtesy of Wanaka River Journeys after Logan and Yater-Wallace claimed the titles at the Winter Games FIS Freestyle Ski Halfpipe World Cup, the first event of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic qualifying period.