uhhh, NZ is a 15/16 hour difference (I guess it depends where you are in NA), so it does take a bit of time to adjust.. a few days max.
I've spent summers in NZ, switzerland, and whistler glacier. NZ is super fun and there is def lots of skiing to be done. move to wanaka and you are super close to treble cone (good big mountain skiing) and snowpark. Also, the country has tons of little club hills that often have the craziest terrain you will ever ski. In switzerland I spent the summer in Saas-Fee. Awesome glacier, great park, not too crowded... small mountain town. It will be full of asians and world cup racing teams.
I have always wanted to spend a season in south america... heard nothing but good things about the snow down there.