17. 09. 2024
Video
An Unrivaled Incubator: The Jossi Wells Invitational
Lily Krass Ritter
The industry has a lot to thank Jossi Wells for. Especially the annual Jossi Wells Invitational (JWI), which just wrapped up at Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand.
A multi-day jam sesh, JWI is an invite-only gathering of some of the world’s top freeskiers and snowboarders. Three peer-judged events take place over the multiple days, with rail jams and jump sessions. It’s an opportunity to push boundaries and celebrate the eccentric culture that skiers and riders truly embody.
“The reason for starting JWI was to have a reason to bring together my friends from the ski and snowboard world and have a week together where we get to shred, have a great time and foster creativity within our respective disciplines,” says Jossi Wells, who founded the invitational in 2016. “I was really fortunate growing up that I was able to be invited and experience some invitational events and they were always the highlight of the season.”
Wanaka-born Wells has had a storied career over the past few decades. Now, bringing people together and supporting the next generation of the sport is what he’s after. “