While taking time off at his family's home on the outskirts of Arrowtown, he reflected on the experience of his first Winter Olympics and his plans for the next year.
Cafe (22) said he was happy to be home and have a break from skiing until early June.
"It has been an exciting winter for me in Europe and Canada, but back-to-back winters is a tough routine, so it is great to have the time to enjoy a stunning autumn day in Arrowtown," he said.
The highlight of this year had been his participation in the Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010, where he finished 38th in the Super-G race.
He said it was a sports experience like no other.
"Being at the Olympic village is like being on another planet. We had to go through airport-like security to get in and out, and you really get the feeling people are there to do a job.
"On the other hand, the Canadians are really good at making you feel at home and at ease, so once you get in, the atmosphere was quite relaxed. I loved every moment at the Olympics."
After some good training at Whistler, the day came when it was his turn to compete.
He remembered clearly when the magnitude of his undertaking hit home.
"At the beginning of my race, I was totally focused, and it felt like any other race. But when I was near the last few gates, I started to hear the crowd and the noise around me.
"As I crossed the finish line, it hit me: I am an Olympian! Seeing my parents with their flag was awesome. I just could not stop smiling when I was in front of the cameras," he said.
The support from the Queenstown community had been encouraging for the local skier.
"The support I get from Queenstown is unreal. There is a great interest in snow sports in town, and people are constantly commenting on seeing my competition performances.
"Everyone I have met has been supportive. It makes me happy to be part of such a great community," he said.
After five months of skiing and competing from his northern winter base in Austria, and taking part in World Cups in Slovenia and France, the southern winter will be quieter.
Most of the time will be spent training at the Coronet Peak, which he sees as his home turf.
Yet, he said, the competitions this year will be important for his next northern winter.
"There is an Australia-New Zealand cup series, with races at Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and at two Australian skifields, and the overall winner of this cup gets a free entry to the entire world cup season in the following northern winter.
"I am still new to the world cup circuit, but doing as many world cup races as possible during the next year will be my primary ambition. After that, my ultimate goal is to take part in the next Winter Olympics."
