Mt. Bachelor Introduces The Big Wave Challenge on April 30, 2011

(Bend, OR – 4/15/11) Mt. Bachelor will launch the first ever on-mountain Big Wave Challenge on Saturday, April 30th. This new event concept will bring Big Wave style surfing to the mountains with a unique course featuring wave-sculpted snow features.

This one of a kind event was inspired by Central Oregon’s proximity to numerous coastal surf breaks along with a strong population of multi-sport surfers and snowboarders in the region. The surf connection in addition to Mt. Bachelor’s volcanic terrain with lava tubes forming natural waves during the winter months makes the Big Wave Challenge a natural fit with the mountain’s natural assets.
Competitors will be judged based on Big Wave surfing standards; control, speed and power. The course will consist of a series of banked berms, wave-shaped quarter pipes, a right and left breaking spine and finishing wave bowl. The Big Wave Challenge will be held under the Pine Marten lift, viewable from Mt. Bachelor’s West Village base area. A $20 entry fee will be charged for this snowboard specific event with proceeds benefitting the Oregon chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Competitors in both the male and female divisions will contend for the grand prize of a custom Gerry Lopez Surfboard!

The Big Wave Challenge will be followed by a Luau in the Clearing Rock Bar featuring traditional surf- inspired cuisine along with live music featuring Bend’s local Hawaiian musician, Bill Keale.

According to Big Wave Challenge judge, surfing legend and Bend local Gerry Lopez, “On April 30, the surf’s up at Mt. Bachelor – come ride the Big Wave!”

Check out www.mtbachelor.com/springtacular for more information on the Big Wave Challenge along with details on upcoming Mt. Bachelor Springtacular events, concert series, and the spring season pass. The Mt. Bachelor Springtacular events are brought to you by Mt. Bachelor and our Springtacular Sponsors; Northwest Chevy Truck Dealers, Pepsi, Deschutes Brewery, Red Bull, Full Sail Brewery, Coors Light, Cascade Lakes Brewery, and the Central Oregon Visitors Association.

About Mt. Bachelor: Mt. Bachelor is the largest ski resort in the Cascade Range, offering 3,683 acres of lift-accessible terrain. The mountain features 10 lifts, seven of which are Express Quads, plus two tubing lifts and two beginner carpets and an average annual snowfall of 370 inches. Mt. Bachelor also features 5 terrain parks, 2 half pipes, 56K of groomed and tracked cross country trails, snowshoeing, tubing, sled dog rides and summer attractions. For weather conditions, news and events visit www.mtbachelor.com.

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