But after a string of podium finishes — and earning a world title in his debut senior season — the Wanaka halfpipe freeskier has earned his place at Milano Cortina.
He had a remarkable 2025 and was crowned the FIS freeski halfpipe world champion in his maiden season.
Melville Ives, 19, won the Chinese round of the freeski halfpipe world cup, finished second in Calgary and had a dominant victory at the Aspen round of the world cup.
"I honestly can’t believe the start I’ve had to the world cup season — super surreal," Melville Ives told the Otago Daily Times.
"I’ve always dreamed of, you know, starting a world cup season off with a first and a second.
"I honestly can’t believe it that I’m up there with the top dogs. Pretty grateful."
Melville Ives has been on the rise but his talent has always been evident.
He was part of New Zealand’s most successful Winter Youth Olympic Games team at Gangwon in 2024 when he won silver in the freeski halfpipe.
Getting the Olympic call-up to represent New Zealand in Italy was "surreal".
"I’ve been growing up my whole life watching all the skiers and snowboarders, like Nico [Porteous], and Zoi [Sadowski-Synnott] and the Wells boys going to the Olympics before me.
"It’s been a dream of mine for my whole life to go to the Olympics and I honestly can’t believe that I’m finally going in February. It’s really exciting."
Having been to the junior edition and spent a few seasons on the winter circuit would help him deal with the pressure.
"I feel like there’s only so much preparation you can do. There’s nothing quite like the Olympics, right?
"I honestly am not sure what to expect. It’s going to be really cool."
No matter what, there will be another person in his corner — his twin brother, Cam, who has also been selected for the Winter Olympics.
Cam Melville Ives is a handy halfpipe snowboarder, having won bronze in big air at the Youth Olympics in 2024.
He finished first and second on the European Cup circuit in the halfpipe last year and finished fifth at his debut world championships.
"To be able to go to the Olympics with my twin brother is pretty crazy, honestly," Finley Melville Ives said.
"It’s always been a dream to go together with him.
"It’s so sick to have a twin brother in a similar discipline, but, you know, not the same discipline. We’re not too competitive, but just supportive."
