Snowkite HOWTO

As any kiteboarder can attest, we are constantly hammered with
questions about the sport. I think I’ve pretty much heard them all.
The other day I was talking with our publisher Marina Chang who
has yet to try snowkiting. She had some very thoughtful questions
that sparked some answers that I know you will find informative
if you want to get into snowkiting. We passed this information to
Gabe Brown and Alex Peterson who are also knowledgeable about
snowkiting and this is what we came up with.

How hard is it for a water kiteboarder to learn to snowkite i.e. time, different
skills, etc.?

If you have kite skills, then the other half of the equation is learning snowboard/ski skills.
If you already know how to kite on water and snowboard/ski, you will be up and riding
in minutes. There are other snow-specific skills that need to be learned like how to
reverse-launch a kite without getting yanked. If you have no snowboard/ski skills, but
you are a competent kiter on water, then you could most likely get up and going within
a couple of hours. You might consider taking snowboard/ski lessons at a resort first.
How hard is it for an intermediate snowboarder/skier to learn who has no
kiting experience?
A new rider with good snowboarding skills could go from the trainer kite to a kite just
large enough to pull them along the snow within a couple of hours. You don't need to be
as powered to get moving on snow as you do on water, so the ability to handle a really
powered kite isn't necessary.

What do you think about intermediate water kiteboarders teaching themselves
to snowkite?

I say, go for it! Go find yourself a nice, wide open meadow and a small kite and get
schooled. Start by riding unhooked until you really feel you have the hang of it. As we all
know, there are many factors that we may not be aware of when learning to kite and
snow has some unique challenges. Many riders will take things into their own hands and
could potentially get hurt. A good rule of thumb is to take things slow and start with a
smaller kite than you would for water. At the very least go with someone who has
snowkited before.

Is the learning curve for snowkiting similar to learning on water?

Snowkiting is undeniably easier to learn, because you can start out with a smaller kite
and you can walk to it at any time rather than having to swim. It is way easier to tack
upwind on the snow because your board doesn't slip downwind like on water, although
some edging skills are still necessary.

Which are better, foils or inflatable kites.

Both types of kites will work and they each have pros and cons
The newer four-line sheetable foils work great for snow. These kites allow you to depower
the kite on the fly, completely kill the power instantly and reverse-launch by pulling
on the back lines. They aren't damaged as easily as an inflatable if you crash it and you
don't have to pump them up in the cold. They also pack down small for backcountry and
cross-country expeditions. They work best for cruising and jumping off of hillsides. The
downside of some foils is that they tend to fold in gusty wind because they don’t have
a rigid frame.
If you ride both water and snow, inflatables allow you to kite year-round without having
to get used to the differences between kites. Inflatables tend to have faster steering
characteristics which give better pop for jumps on flat terrain. If you ride an inflatable,
you will need to have a kite that is set up with a reverse-launch system. Any kite can be
retrofitted with a 5th line that attaches to the trailing edge if it doesn’t come that way.
Many companies are finally starting to see the benefits of this type of launching system
for both water and snow. The downside of inflatables is that you have to pump them up
in cold weather and they are more prone to damage on the hard snow.

Do you need less wind to 2snowkite than you d0o to kite on water??

The snow is very fast, especially the more packed down it is. A fresh dump of more than
a few inches can make it slower, yet it still takes less wind to get moving. The interesting
thing about snow is you don't need as large of a kite but you can also hold down a
bigger one. Let the conditions determine your kite size. Make sure that your board/skis
are waxed correctly for the snow temperature to make the board slide more efficiently.
Do you use the same size kite for the wind conditions that you would use
when kiting on water?
As I mentioned before, you can use a smaller kite to get moving on snow. Start out small
and work your way up if you aren't sure. The speed that you can achieve on snow gives
you the advantage of more apparent wind which helps with whipped jumps. The increased
apparent wind doesn't make a huge difference though, so the kite size will need to be
close to the same size as for water, because it still needs to lift you off the ground. The only
exception would be if you have hills to jump off, then you might be able to get away with
a slightly smaller kite. Keep in mind that you will drop faster than you would if you had a
larger kite. The fact that the hill is dropping away with you gives you more hang time.

If I am riding a foil on the snow and ride inflatables on water, how do I know
what size foil I need?

Most foil kites are more powerful than inflatable kites if you go by the “advertised” sizes.
Typically, foils use a bridle system and an optimized wing shape that maximizes the
amount of canopy that is effective for pull and lift. So, for example, you could use a 10m
foil in winds that you would normally fly a 14m inflatable. The exception is the bridle-less
four line foil kites like the new Peter Lynn models that are less powerful than an inflatable
of similarly advertised sizes. They have a large range of depower capability which
make them good for gusty mountain wind. For these kites you would probably use a kite
that is one size larger than an inflatable.

What is the difference between learning on a snowboard versus skis?

Skis are easier in many respects. You have two edges to leverage against the pull of the
kite. They also give you more stability for riding over tracked out or icy terrain and they
allow you to land jumps easier because you can step quickly to adjust for imperfect body
position. Skis allow you to take a smaller kite. You can skate with skis to help create
apparent wind. They also allow you to step backwards if the wind is light or has lulls that
make your kite want to fall. The difference with skis is that they are heavier than a snowboard
and the positioning is awkward if you are used to riding sideways on water.
Snowboards can be more difficult to hold an edge in crud. That aside, they are more
simple because you can't get crossed up like with skis. Plus, they are similar to riding a
twin tip on water. Most of the moves on water translate directly to the snow.
What is the best way to set up your snowboard or skis for snowkiting?
Set up your snowboard bindings so they are the same distance from each tip. The hole
pattern on most boards allows you to move the base plates forward and back. Set them
up in a comfortable duck stance so your toes are pointing towards the opposite tips.
Somewhere between 5 and 15 degrees should work. Make sure that your heels aren't
hanging off the heelside edge too much. The same goes for your toeside. If you have
large feet, consider buying a wider board. If you use skis, the standard binding setup is
your only choice. Consider buying a newer model twin tip ski that is stiff and wide.
Modern bindings that have heel and toe releases in three directions (side, up and diagonally)
will be the safest option.

Do you need to set up your bar or lines different for snowkiting?

You can leave your bar set up the same as for water. I have made a few adjustments to
my lines for safety. First, check to make sure your lines are in perfect condition so that
they won't break during a jump. I have lengthened the leader lines from my bar so my
board edge will not cut into my flying lines. Luckily I have never had my board cut a line
while in the air, but I have cut a few sets of lines while getting dragged on the ground.
Also, colored lines show up best on white snow. You might consider swapping out your
lines with Q-Power Line since they seem more durable and thicker than standard lines.
Always keep your lines wound up whenever you are not using your kite so no one will
ride over them. When you put away your kite, keep your lines attached, then roll up both
the bar and lines inside the kite.

What is better, a waist or a seat harness?

It comes down to personal preference just like on water. Use whatever is most comfortable.
Some waist harnesses ride up more than others. Try different ones with your winter
clothes on. A seat harness will not ride up and may help keep snow from going down
your pants.

When first learning to s2nowkite, should yo0u wear pads and ?a helmet?
Are there any other special accessories?

Wearing a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads is a very good idea no matter whether you
are a beginner or an expert. Helmets are required for competitions with good reason. If
you want to wear your harness close to your body, which gives better fit, you can get a
jacket specifically designed for your harness hook to poke through from the inside.
Check out Ultra Nectar's snowkite jacket. Good, durable gloves that fit well with grippy
palms and precurved fingers help to grip your bar. Check out the Dakine Cobra GT with
Gore Tex and leather palms. Pants with a bib and suspenders help keep snow from going
down your pants and up your back. Polypropylene/Thermax undergarments and glove
liners help insulate and wick moisture away from your skin. We have gotten hooked on
riding with our iPods too. There's nothing like rocking out to your favorite tunes while
you ride. Bring a small avalanche shovel like the Dakine “T-Handle” for digging up snow
to weight down your kite, build kickers or dig your buddies out of an avalanche.

What are the major challenges in learning to snowkite?

It's actually really easy. If you already have kite skills, you just need to have your kite set
up to reverse launch it and learn to do it correctly. Basically you reverse it off the snow
just high enough to turn it and send it to the side of the power window without sending
it straight up in the power zone, which can launch you. If you are used to an inflatable,
but want to use a foil kite, there are a few differences in how you launch and land the
kite. Once it's in the air, the newer four-line sheetable foils turn and handle similar to
inflatables. Learning the board skills is the only other skill that you need.

Is snowkiting better or more fun on flat ground, rolling hills or mountains?

Mountainous terrain is no place for a beginner. Start out in the open on a lake or field
and work your way up to more challenging terrain. You can have fun on any variety of
terrain, which is the beauty of snowkiting. The major difference to kiting on water is that
you can jump off slopes. Big air contests on water are a joke compared to how big you
can jump on snow. Also, there are also huge possibilities for exploring and traveling
large distances.

Can you use kites when going downhill?

Sure, you can go downhill with a kite. You can leave it in a neutral position like you would
if you were surfing a wave or you can turn it at any time you wish to catch air. Turning
it directly down hill can peel you away from a large steep hill, so you have to beware of
that if you want to stay grounded. You are in a three dimensional world and can go anywhere
you want which is amazing.

Can snowkiters mix with snowboarders/skiers on the slopes, or will they
need their own area?

Downhill skiing resorts are definitely not a place for snowkiting. Most ski slopes are narrow
and lined with trees. The skiers would not be used to having kiters going up hill
either. They would be skiing at much higher speeds than us in general and if your kite
fell across the slope, you could clothes-line a skier-very bad idea. There are plenty of
open places to ride away from the resorts.

What are various things you look for in a site and what are some common
hazards to watch out for?

Find an open area like a lake or field to start out and look for wind that is steady. Make
sure you look for any obstacles before you start riding. Common things to look out for
are trees, shrubs, rocks and barbed wire fences. If you are on a lake, you need to be
aware of the depth of the ice, which can vary. Early or late season, warm spells and
warm springs can leave a frozen lake with open areas while it is thick enough to drive
a car on somewhere else. Avoid areas with rotor or mechanical disturbance. In other
words, obstacles like trees, buildings or mountains can cause dangerous disturbances
to wind.

What are the first easy moves to try when snowkiting?

The progression is similar to kiting on water. What comes to mind is riding toeside,
jumps with grabs, back rolls, front rolls and raleys. Take it easy at first until you get the
feel for the wind conditions and as always be aware of changing weather.
Does it hurt when you land wrong on hard pack or ice?
Sure it can hurt. Stay within your limits and work your way up slowly. You can be a little
more daring if you have lots of soft powder on the landing. Wear pads and always
wear a helmet. Check all your equipment for wear and don't leave your lines lying out
on the snow where someone can ride over them with their sharp edges. You don't want
any unexpected equipment failures while you are in the air.

KBMAG !

RIDE EXTREME