In the hour leading up to Saturday night’s X Games big air contest on Buttermilk Mountain, Jossi Wells and brother, Beau-James, were spinning hot laps galore, with Jossi dialing in tricks and Beau capturing the action via in-air follow. I happened to be shooting photos in the finish corral during the practice session, and spoke with the Wells bros following each jump.

“I’m jumping the best I’ve ever jumped in my life,” elated Jossi after stomping a double cork 9, just before loading up on a snowmobile and racing back to the top of the in-run, eager for another drop. Joss’ and Beau-James exchanged many a fist bump throughout the hour-long training period and their smiles were certainly big. Amid the hectic schedule of this made-for-TV contest, it’s the behind the scenes moments like these that make covering X Games special. Beyond the competition, the athletes are enjoying world-class features, pushing their skiing to new heights.

Jossi Wells and brother, Beau-James, X Games Aspen 2014

Jossi went on to place 6th in the big air. Though he was gunning for a podium spot, Jossi earned big kudos from the skiing world for stunts including the aforementioned double cork 9, a switch triple and a massive zero spin, among others. Chalk it up as a win.

Related: See 99 wild photos from Freeskier and Red Bull’s Athlete Kickoff Party at X Games