Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge Returns

Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge Returns to Mt. Bachelor Saturday, April 5.

Photos: Jon Tapper

The Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge is back at Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor resort on Saturday, April 5. This year marks the 13th year of the snowboard event hosted by legendary big wave surfer, Mt. Bachelor ambassador, and Bend local, Gerry Lopez.

Registration is open and filling up fast, entry is $78 per person with 300 entries available—register at this link. Competitors can choose from five divisions: Kane (Men’s Open 17–39), Wahine (Women’s Open 17–39), Makule (Co-ed 40+), and new for 2025, two Keiki divisions (Groms 16 & under), with separate boys’ and girls’ categories. Additionally, a Pro Surfer exhibition division will feature athletes handpicked by Gerry.

Each year, this innovative course brings a fresh set of transition-style big wave features, crafted by the Woodward Mountain Park team with inspiration from Gerry. For 2025, the course will be located on the lower mountain beneath the Pine Marten Lift, featuring snow structures that replicate iconic surf breaks from around the world. With sweeping banked corners, quarterpipes, and spines, the course seamlessly blends surf and snow into a flowing ride. This season’s forecast promises one of the biggest swells yet, with over 350 inches of snowfall at Mt. Bachelor, building up a 131-inch base depth. 

The Big Wave Challenge will follow a jam-style format, allowing riders to take as many runs as they want within their division’s allotted time. Judges will score based on overall performance and impression, with prizes awarded to the top three riders in each division. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to bring their Aloha spirit, cheering on competitors from the sidelines and the finish area. Slopeside spectators must have a valid Mt. Bachelor pass. 

The Big Wave Challenge as always is hosted by legendary big wave surfer Gerry Lopez, who has called Mt. Bachelor his home mountain since first moving to Bend from Maui in the 90s. Gerry says, “We surf and snowboard because they’re fun to do and make us feel good. Oftentimes we get distracted, letting things get in the way of doing the things we love, and lose sight of what’s true. When we clear away all “that other stuff,” what remains is this basic truth. This is what the Mt. Bachelor Big Wave Challenge is about…come join us in having fun and feeling good.”

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 registration will again benefit Pat Malendoski. Pat held an instrumental role in the early Big Wave Challenge days, applying his special terrain-park creation skills to building waves out of snow, producing a unique type of course that has made the BWC such an epic event. Eight years ago, he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma and has since been battling this cancerous brain tumor.

Bidding is now open for the 2025 BWC Online Auction benefiting Michele Schnake. After overcoming breast cancer two years ago, Michele was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in December. A dedicated BWC volunteer from the start, she has played a vital role in registration and has supported generations of local athletes through her work with the USASA series at Mt. Bachelor. All proceeds will help cover her medical bills and expenses during this challenging time.

The lucky 13th year of the Big Wave Challenge features even more off-hill gatherings including the welcome party and bib pick-up at Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room on Thursday, April 3, Happy Hour at LOGE Bend following Friday’s practice, and a live performance by Makua Rothman Band at the Volcanic Theatre Pub to close out the competition on Saturday. 

Gerry will be a hands-on host at the event, shredding powder, encouraging competitors and emceeing the awards ceremony.

A big thank you goes out to this year’s Big Wave Challenge sponsors including Mt. Bachelor, Patagonia, YETI, Deschutes Brewery, Sun Bum, Volcom, Rainbow Sandals, LOGE, Sticky Bumps, Zeal Optics, Tognar, Dakine, Stealth Backcountry, Waco Surf, SnoPlanks, Wild Mike’s Pizza, Firewire Surfboards, Karakoram, North Drinkware, Lib Technologies, Gentemstick, XTRATUF, Solento Organic Tequila, Gnarly Nutrition, Cubicle, Laird Superfood, and Active Skin Repair. 

2025 Big Wave Challenge Event Schedule:

 
Thursday, April 3

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm:  Rider packet pick-up party & auction at Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room

Friday, April 4

8:00 am – 11:00 am: 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 – 8 p.m.: Happy Hour at the LOGE Bend

Saturday, April 5 

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.: Late registration and packet pick-up downstairs at West Village Lodge 

9:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Makule, Pro Surf and Keiki Divisions 

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Wahine and Kane Divisions

3:30 p.m.: Awards inside West Village Lodge

5:30 pm  –   TBD: After Party Featuring Makua Rothman Band at Volcanic Theatre Pub 

5:30: Doors open for auction Viewing and final bidding

7:45: Auction closes. Items will be available for pickup.

8:00 Makua Rothman Band Hits the stage

Sunday, April 6 – Backup Weather Day 

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Course open to the public!