Hundreds of snowboarders and sit-skiers gather for 15th annual Dirksen Derby this weekend at Mt. Bachelor

(Update: Adding video, comments from Mt. Bachelor director and participants)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The recent snowfall at Mt. Bachelor has brought some very good conditions for the 15th annual Dirksen Derby. Hundreds of sit-skiers and snowboarders will ride a specially created course at the weekend fundraising event -- so competitive, it's a challenge even to secure a spot to compete. 

The race slots fill up in just minutes, as so many trail racers want to fly down the snake-like course, Mt. Bachelor Director of Marketing and Communications John Sereni said Friday.

'It's a head-to-head dual-slalom snowboard," Sereni said. "They race two at a time -- one on each course, and basically it's the first to the bottom."

Ian Levin is visiting from Salem to shred the slopes this weekend.

"I've done the Dirksen in years past," Levin said. "I didn't make it in, because it's a sought-after charitable event. It usually fills up really, really fast -- faster than a Taylor Swift concert." 

Sereni said, "All the money that goes into the registration goes to the Dirksen Derby course, which was a friend of his that passed away not long ago." 

The first Dirksen Derby Snowboard Rally Race was held at Mt. Bachelor in 2007, with three divisions and 58 racers who raised $1,160 for local snowboarder Tyler Eklund, who was seriously injured while competing earlier that year at the USASA Snowboard Nationals in California.

"What we did this year is take it really cleverly through the trees. Each year, he (Josh Dirksen) comes because the snow is different each year and he wants to pick a new run every year," Sereni added.

Another participant, Louisa Jeffery of Bend, said, "It's so awesome to have everyone come together -- fun to have everyone come together and see everyone you haven't seen all summer." 

Sereni said, "It's great to have so many snowboarders here, as well. But, I think it's also great for people to come and watch over the weekend."

There are various age groups who participate, from as young as 5 years old to over 50. You have a chance to watch racers take the slopes Saturday and Sunday on Mt. Bachelor.