SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The Gunbarrel 25 will be returning for its 19th year at Heavenly Mountain Resort from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25. 

The Gunbarrel 25 is a popular bump skiing/riding challenge that attracts skiers and snowboarders from all walks of life. The goal is lap the run, The Face, 25 times, or more. The challenge of descending 1,600 vertical feet of moguls draws in bump lovers from all over. 

“Families participate in the event together and it always delights me to see the young bumpers out there competing the 40,000 vertical feet challenge,” said Heavenly’s Director of Skier Services Robin Barnes. “It’s a fun day for locals and visitors alike as the California Base Area buzzes with music and good energy as everyone cheers on the participants.” 

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Registration for Gunbarrel 25 is closed, but guests are still invited to come celebrate at the California Base Area where there will be live music, along with a free pasta dinner from 4-5 p.m. in the Cal Lodge Cafeteria. 

The award ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. In addition to the regular race, the Iron Woman/Man challenge will also be happening, where racers will compete to see how many laps they can do in the allotted six hour time frame. 

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This year, Heavenly has ideal conditions for the event, with 538 inches of snow and counting. The bumps are big, but not colossal like they can be on Gunbarrel. 

“Glen Plake and his dad, Jim, started this event and kept it going to celebrate the beauty of bump skiing,” said Barnes. “It’s special that Heavenly continues to host the event and highlight the unique run that Gunbarrel is.” 

Not only does Gunbarrel 25 allow participants to push themselves to the limit, but allows guests to truly celebrate the skiing/riding culture in the community. 

“After nearly two years of fewer big community events, the Gunbarrel 25 is refreshing and necessary,” said Barnes. “It’s fun to congregate at the resort and laud the athleticism of so many people, including some of Heavenly’s employees who will take the day off and display their completive bent.” 

Although at first glance it’s tough to see who is in the lead, Barnes noted, but if you keep a close eye on the competitors, the faster ones will stand out because they come through at an incredibly fast rate. 

“Jim Plake shared with me that there is no other place in the world where you can do an event like there where there is such easy access to the run, long vertical with big bumps, and it’s easy for spectators to watch,” said Barnes. “Come check it out!” 

To learn more about the Gunbarrel 25, visit http://www.skiheavenly.com/explore-the-resort/experience-heavenly/gunbarrel-25.aspx.