Levi LaVallee's double-back-flip on a snowmobile: pre-X Games video

Perhaps the most intense moments during the Winter X Games in Aspen were those preceding Levi LaVallee's attempt to double- back-flip his 450-pound snowmobile during the "Next-Trick" or best-trick competition.

Why?

Because very real consequences for under-rotating were  becoming paralyzed or dying.

Fortunately, the Red Bull snowmobiler athlete did not under-rotate and land upside down. Unfortunately, he over-rotated slightly and was bounced from his seat upon impact, so the gold medal went to Dane Ferguson or his trick, called a "Twist Off."

But Levi did land on his feet and celebrated, with both arms raised, his survival and becoming the first person to pull off the double in a competition.

It was reminiscent of Travis Pastrana's memorable double on his motorcycle during the 2006 Summer X Games. But Pastrana stuck his landing and claimed the gold.

The video below is not of the X Games' Next-Trick competition. But it does provide entertaining insight into preparations for the trick and what was going through the daredevil's mind.

Enjoy:

--Pete Thomas

Photo: Levi LaVallee during his second rotation while double-back-flipping his snowmobile at the Winter X Games. Credit: Zach Ornitz/Shazamm/ESPN Images