Welome to the 2026 GERRY LOPEZ BIG WAVE CHALLENGE

Join us in celebrating the 14th year of the Big Wave Challenge hosted by legendary Big Wave surfer, Mt. Bachelor ambassador, + Bend local, Gerry Lopez. This event, inspired by Gerry’s passion for surf and snow, is a snowboard contest held on a custom-built course featuring a series of huge sweeping banked corners, quarter pipes, and spines, incorporating the natural terrain as much as possible. The result is a series of wave-like features linked up along a flowing course that brings the surf to the mountains, or in Gerry’s summation         -   We build FROZEN waves out of snow and have a surf contest   -

FIRST — The weekend kicks off with a Welcome Party at LOGE from 3:00–6:00 pm, athletes can pick up their swag filled registration bags + event bibs, connect with the BWC team, and get hyped for the days ahead. Guests will also get a first look at the auction items and have the chance to grab raffle tickets for some exciting big-ticket prizes! 

SECOND — Bidding is open on the 2026 Big Wave Challenge Auction, which goes through Saturday, March, 28th at 8:00 pm PST, so get your bids in! (Auction items will be on display at LOGE for both viewing and winner pickup) 

BWC FUNDRAISER — The Aloha spirit, stoke, and the desire to raise money for worthy causes has always been the driving belief behind this one-of-a-kind snowboard event. Proceeds from this year’s Big Wave Challenge, including registration, raffle and auction proceeds, benefit our beloved friends Pat Malendoski and Michele Schnake. Additionally this year proceeds will also be donated to Oregon Adaptive Sports and Urban Surf 4 Kids - amazing charities making a positive difference for so many!

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE — Weekends can be busy at the mountain, Please plan on leaving town by 7:00 am or earlier to get ahead of the traffic—think of it like dawn patrol for surfing. (Pssst, Don’t forget your competitor's bib!) Your destination is up the Cascade Lakes Highway to the West Village base area (not Sunrise). The breaking waves of this year's course will be accessed via the Pine Marten chairlift and Red Chair. Check out the trail map and Mt. Bachelor Mountain Report to familiarize yourself with the mountain and for current weather conditions.  

Racer Lift Ticket Purchase — Racer tickets will not be available at the ticket office, online only. In addition to your tickets Racers will need an Ikon Pass, Mt. Bachelor Season Pass, or lift ticket to access the course. Racers may purchase the discounted $79/day racer ticket online in advance for practice and race days only. Tickets can then be picked up at any Mt. Bachelor Pick-Up Box (PUB). PUB’s are located at the Mountain Gateway building in the West Village Base Area and Sunrise Lodge at Mt. Bachelor, as well as Sun Country Tours and the Mt. Bachelor Park N' Ride in Bend. 

Racer tickets are valid for all chairlifts, so be sure to explore Mt. Bachelor's terrain during your visit!

1. Visit the “Event Registration Button” 

2. Select the number of days you plan to use your Racer ticket, the start date for the ticket, and add to the cart

3. Sign in or create an account

4. Checkout & pay

EVENT SCHEDULE

HOSTED at Mt. Bachelor + LOGE

GROM  boys/girls (10 & under) | MAKULE men/women (40+) | KEIKI boys/girls (11 -16) WAHINE women’s (17-39) KANE men’s (17-39) | PROsurf men/women (Gerry’s friends) | KINA men/women adaptive (all ages)

THURSDAY, MARCH 26th: 
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Rider packet pick-up & bib party – LOGE (19221 SW Century Dr #161, Bend, OR 97702)

FRIDAY, MARCH 27th:
8:00 am - 11:00 am: Late registration / on-site packet pick-up downstairs at West Village Lodge
10:00 am - 3:30 pm: Course open for practice for registered riders 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm: LOGE x BWC | APRES PARTY, Live Music, Gentemstick Demo, Tactics Wax Station, Food + Drink Specials (19221 SW CENTURY DR BEND, OR 97702)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5:
7:30 am - 8:30 am: Late registration and packet pick-up downstairs at West Village Lodge
9:00 am - 11:30 am: Makule & Keiki Divisions (PROsurf anytime)
11:30 am - 2:30 pm: Wahine & Kane Divisions (PROsurf anytime)
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Awards inside West Village Lodge 5:30 pm - TBD: AUCTION / After Party @ LOGE (19221 SW Century Dr #161, Bend, OR 97702) | ———— 5:30 pm ————————————-> Auction Viewing & Final Bidding | ———— 8:00 pm ————————————-> Auction Closes / Item Pickup

SUNDAY, APRIL 6: (backup weather day)
9:00 am - 3:30 pm: Course open to the public (if event is not running)! 

EVENT FORMAT

The Big Wave Challenge will run in jam-style format, meaning riders can take runs through the course as many times as they like during their division's allotted time. We'd like to run each division through together as close as possible for each of your runs, starting with Keiki's and Makule's in the morning, then Wahine and Kane in the afternoon. Pro Surfers drop in whenever there's a good wave. Judges will score competitors based on overall performance and impression. The top three riders from each division will be awarded prizes; the coveted grand prize for Kane and Wahine winner is once again a trip to the Volcom pipe house. Special prizes will also be awarded in many other categories including best carve, best layback, best slash, most Aloha and more, so be sure to join us for the awards!

Spectators are invited and encouraged to attend—bring your  Aloha spirit and cheer on the competitors from the sidelines and in the finish area! 

Please note that the resort schedule is subject to change throughout the weekend based on weather and event logistics. Please follow @BigWave_Challenge on Instagram for updates throughout the event!