Wanaka-based big mountain freeskier Sam Smoothy will also be hoping to repeat his form when he returns to defend his title in the extreme chute runs of Treble Cone and the Remarkables skifields.
The pair will be hoping their local knowledge pays dividends as they look to dominate on their home stomping grounds around Wanaka and Queenstown.
Other local names who will be appearing alongside a top international field include Wanaka brother and sister Lyndon and Amy Sheehan, who are both ranked in the respective top ten of their park-based disciplines.
Wells - who finished third and fifth in his respective events last year - will also have to contend with his up-and-coming younger brother, Byron, in the slopestyle and halfpipe events, which take place at Snow Park from Thursday until Saturday.
Both performed with distinction on the northern hemisphere circuit earlier this year, where Jossi won silver at the Winter X-games, titles at the Nippon Open and the World Superpipe Championships in Utah.
Another Wanaka-based freeskier, Australian Janina Kuzma returns to defend her Big Mountain title, when competition starts at the Remarkables on Monday, with the finals taking place at Treble Cone on Tuesday.
More than 180 entrants from around the world are lining up in the Freeski Open and will compete for a $35,000 prize pool.
Top international skiers competing include last year's halfpipe winner Xavier Bertoni, of France, and slopestyle winner Adam Delorme, of the United States.
Delorme will be joined by top-ranked compatriot Colby West.
Female international freeskiers seeking to beat Kuzma and Sheehan include Ashley Battersby and Kerri Herman, both from the US.
New Zealand Freeski Open
Qualification rounds: Thursday, Aug 22, Snow Park.
Slopestyle finals: 1pm, Friday, Aug 23, Snow Park.
Halfpipe finals: 1pm, Saturday, Aug 24, Snow Park.
Big Mountain qualification: 10am, Monday, Aug 25, the Remarkables.
Big Mountain finals: 10am, Tuesday, Aug 26, Treble Cone.
