While Wanaka does not have Queenstown's acute shortage of rental accommodation, there is some concern about how it can absorb the 800 or more workers planning to winter over in the town.
The Cardrona Alpine Resort employs up to 550 people, Treble Cone Skifield 180 and the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground 85.
Many of those are from out of town, and once their work is confirmed, they will begin hunting for a place to live.
Housemart senior property manager Margo Goodsell told the Otago Daily Times this week her phone was already running "red hot'' with inquiries.
Of the four winter rentals on the company's books, she expected two to be taken by today.
"Normally at this time of year we have a huge selection of houses available,'' Ms Goodsell said.
Cardrona Resort people and performance manager Rebecca Lewis said the company organised accommodation for some staff and was ‘‘a little bit concerned'' by what was happening in Queenstown.
Ms Lewis said Cardrona would advertise over the next month for rooms or houses for staff.
"So we are trying to be a little bit proactive about it, hopefully getting some additional properties into the market place. But we are not freaking out about it.
"Every year, people spend a bit of time in backpackers before they find a place to live.
"I don't think we have an issue with people leaving town because they can't find somewhere, which is what they literally have in Queenstown at the moment, I understand.''
The number of holiday houses remaining empty in Wanaka over winter is unknown.
Queenstown Lakes district deputy mayor Lyal Cocks said the idea of carrying out a rubbish day survey to determine which houses were not in use had been discussed in business and tourism circles.
"We could get someone to drive the streets, check who's got rubbish out.
"It wouldn't be 100% [accurate] but it would give a pretty good indication.''
Mr Cocks said the idea had not progressed but he believed it was time for some sort of survey.
Mr Cocks said because Wanaka did not have a lot of commercial accommodation, it relied on people letting their houses for tourists where, he acknowledged, there was more money to be had than by renting to skifield staff.
"So we are looking at trying to make it more attractive for residential flats through the rating system and also making it a permitted activity so we get more residential flats available for long-term rental.''
Mr Cocks said at present the rates made building a flat "very unattractive''.
Each of those consulted by the ODT this week considered the accommodation shortage in Wanaka would probably become worse.
