The first session of freestyle snowmobile practice just wrapped up, and if it's any indication of things to come, we're in for a showdown with more gunslingers than have ever been in the fight for a medal in freestyle.

While the course is similar to last year in that it contains four super kicker ramps and one BAR (Big-Ass Ramp), it is definitely an upgrade. The entire freestyle snowmobile area holds a lot more snow and the landings are quite big, allowing riders to focus more on their tricks rather than landing cleanly.

Levi LaVallee was the "test dummy" -- the first rider to hit the course. Predictably, he was able to hit all of the ramps cleanly after only a few attempts. Always one to start the excitement before anyone expects it, Heath Frisby flipped the BAR ramp at just over 100 feet after just a few jumps. Other riders to flip early were Daniel Bodin and Caleb Moore. The elder Moore brother stuck an impressive heelclicker flip off the BAR ramp and shed any doubts that he is not in medal contention.

Last year Paul Thacker struggled with the course, but he came out this afternoon and looked like he had gained back a lot of confidence. Thacker did provide some carnage as he had the worst wreck of the session under rotating a flip and getting tossed face first into the landing. All indications are that Thax will be back out for the next practice round.

LaVallee busted out a series of no less than four flips in a later practice run, and defending gold medalist Joe Parsons threw down a couple nac nac flips. Other riders who looked good with their upright tricks were Isaac Sherbine, Jeff Mullin, and alternate Cody Borchers whose lanky stature makes for some huge extension.

Freestyle practice round 2 is coming up in a couple hours, we'll keep you updated as to how the boys do under the lights and after some course adjustments.