Wells (20), who broke the ankle in a skateboarding accident two months ago, won his maiden halfpipe title last year to add to his Freeski Open slopestyle victory in 2006.
He said he was disappointed he was unable to take part at this year's Open but was taking the opportunity to rest his body from the grind of competition.
Two-time Winter X Games gold medallist and world No 1 slopestyle rider Bobby Brown (US) returns to defend his Freeski Open slopestyle title when the event starts on Thursday.
Top New Zealand hopes in the slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines include Byron Wells and Lyndon Sheehan, both of Wanaka, while Australian Russ Henshaw, Sweden's Henrik Harlaut, and New Zealand Winter Games halfpipe champion Taylor Seaton, of the US, will also be contenders come finals time.
The New Zealand Freeski Open slopestyle finals are on Friday and the halfpipe is scheduled for Saturday.
