jotajota - 11-2-2007 at 03:20 PM
I'm just looking into this sport and I am wondering if there are any ski resorts you can snowkite at? Either resorts out west or in New England? Does
anyone know?
Thanks!
awindofchange - 12-2-2007 at 03:18 PM
I don't think you will enjoy the kite skiing at the resorts. One thing to remember is that the resorts usually have tons of people and the resorts
rely on gravity (ski runs, etc...) for the enjoyment of their patrons.
Kite snowboarding (or kite skiing) doesn't rely on gravity to get going and you can take off from a dead level surface and ride in nearly any
direction you desire (wind permitting). For this reason, the widest most open areas are usually the desired places to snow kite. Although you can
use your kite to pull you up a slope or run, it is not necessary to get to the top of the run to start having fun. Most of the time riding across the
flat areas or smaller slopes give the most adrenaline.
Another thing to remember is that the wind is free, resorts charge big bucks for lift tickets that you don't need. Head out into the back country or
un-populated areas and search for that perfect playground that will work for you and your kite. I think you will have much more fun than trying to
fight the crowds at the resorts.
jotajota - 12-2-2007 at 03:42 PM
Yeah, I realized it might be dangerous with all those people around!
Bladerunner - 12-2-2007 at 05:57 PM
While MOST ski resorts don't allow it some will in limited areas. Whistler will allow you to kite in flute bowl ( until they build the lift ) But
Flute is pretty extreme with awfull wind. I think Sunshine mountian will let you kite Brewster. So the answer is, most likely not!
As mentioned above, snowkiting allows you to get away from the ski lifts ( and the theives at the ticket booth ) . I take a perverted pleasure out of
being stuck in the traffic out to Whistler knowing this car won't be paying for a lift ticket !
jotajota - 12-2-2007 at 06:07 PM
Haha, yeah the idea of saving 50 to 70 dollars by not having to buy a lift ticket certain makes this sport very appealing! I just don't want to have
spend a fortune on gas getting to a good kiting location.
krumly - 12-2-2007 at 08:26 PM
Where are you located? - You mention New England. In winter in Minnesota, we we look for empty farm fields or lakes with a lot of fetch for cleanest
winds.
krumly
jotajota - 12-2-2007 at 08:55 PM
Yeah, we don't have many huge open fields that I know about in CT. I will have to look into it. How large of a field do you really need?
B-Roc - 13-2-2007 at 07:39 AM
For a sole kiter in a field who is learning - you could do it in a large baseball or soccer field but ideally, when you are learning, you are going to
end up more down wind and not be as good getting back upwind so I'd look for something in the 3 acre range so you can take longer cross wind rides and
build up enough speed to get back up wind or work your way back slowly.
Frozen ponds and lakes rule for size - if it gets cold enough where you are for them to freeze.
flyinfreak - 9-3-2007 at 01:54 PM
You know I have never thought about kiting on a lake
SecondWind - 9-3-2007 at 02:29 PM
It's great on frozen Lake - so much room and good clean wind...
Bladerunner - 9-3-2007 at 10:18 PM
If you do have a lake you can get creative. Build jumps, rails, sliders and such. Just riding the lakes and working on jumps is thrilling enough for
me so far !
flyinfreak - 11-3-2007 at 09:46 PM
Too bad it didn't get cold enough here for the lakes to freeze this winter. We went from -15 with the wind chills to 55 degrees and sunny in 3 days!
Bladerunner - 12-3-2007 at 08:55 AM
Just got home from the last possible snowkiting on lakes around here 
It's melting
fast around here now !
archkiter - 13-3-2007 at 06:38 AM
I know people who hike out of bounds at Timberline on Mt. Hood to snowkite. Not the tamest terrain to learn on though.
A agree with the others - a big field or lake is free 
flyinfreak - 19-4-2007 at 11:38 AM
You can try googling and see if all ski resorts will accept that ya know ?