Anyone using Snowblades (Ski blades)? I'm thinking of getting something like these:

Cheap Snowblades

Do you need ski boots for that or snowboard shoes would fit?

They fit standard ski boots - there are a bunch of them on ebay:

Snowblades on ebay

Davinch....I'm buying a pair myself for this winter. Last winter I asked a few people on a bunch of forums about how they'd work for kiting and got mixed reviews.
The landing surface area for landing when getting air is smaller then that of terrain park skis. So landing jumps is supposably a bit more difficult (said those that use regular or terrain park skis). On the other hand someone that is similar to myself who has only ever used a snowboard, said he has been using snowblades since they came out with his kites and absolutely loves them. I also had several people say they even wear them while setting up to run the lines, etc. as they can scoot across the snow a bit faster, almost like wearing rollerblades to setup. Can't beat that.
Edging, and types of snow for use...well, deep powder everyone pretty much said terrain park skis or regular downhill twintips. For less snow amounts and wet snow like we get here on the east coast, they said the smaller snowblades should be great or to get twintip terrain skis.

Not sure what your snow conditions are like locally, would imagine powder..but have no clue how much.

Brain...Davinch is right..they take any ski boot, snowboard boots don't work. Kinda blows I know. There is a place here in baltimore selling boots for $25-up and the blades for $99-up. A lot of their inventory is on ebay too. If you buy boots online though, beware..the sizing for every boot is different (similar to snowboard boots they can be made narrow, etc. so the size you wear in regular shoes, may not feel too great) and sometimes they aren't giving you the U.S. Measurement when they say the size (which can also lead to a bit of confusion..unlike snowboard boots, when they give the size they're usually pretty close to the regular shoe size in U.S. Terms). Best bet is to buy in person for the boots. Online for the blades.
Also..from what I hear doing the ski thing whether it be snowblades or skis, it's supposably tons easier to learn to do then snowboards. You have more edging with skis, you don't have to be able to ride goofy footed (backwards) or have the kite fly behind you and the tight turning on shorter skis is suppose to be easier as well.

Figured it's worth it to get out more, try something new and buying used to avoid ruining a pair of brand new ones on terrain that may have something in it that'll damage them.

Both of you should check out craigslist too...there are always a lot of used skis and boots on their as well.
~Joe

Thanks for the info code!

DaVinch

I have a pair of Line Bullet snowblades (95 cm) I picked up off Ebay last fall and learned to kite ski with them, never having alpine skied. Bindings are Line FF Pro non-release type with leashes. I have fairly light, recreational Atomic boots that I generally kite with in "walk mode" (not locked down for forward lean, so Ic an sit back or more upright.

They set-up is awesome for wet or packed snow and on icy crap. We had a lot of that on Minnesota lakes last year. You can skate around pretty well on them while your setting up. Twin tip so you can ski backward, and they turn on a dime. You can edge 'em just like a pair of ice skates. A total blast. I should mention I'm not much into freestyle or jumping , so I can't comment on landing jumps, etc.

krumly (in St. Paul)

Krumly,

Do the non-releasable bindings hold well? It looks like they adjust to your boot size pretty easy.

DaVinch -

My Line Pro FF bindings will not let go. They are really well made - CNC billet aluminum, heavy SS bails, urethane mounting pads. No molded plastic. Bomber Gear makes a similar type that are bulletproof. You get by being locked in because they are so short, so toque on your leg if you catch a tip or tail is much lower than fll length skis. But most vendors include a caveat that since this type doesn't release, you're more at risk for a leg injury and they shouldn't be used by small children.

There are special designed releasable skiboard bindings - Salomon and Tyrolia make them. Spruce Mountain makes them as well by having a long riser block that uses the typical four bolt mounting pattern of fixed bindings to get the block on the skiboard, and standard release bindings on top of that to attach your boot to the block. Just using standard downhill bindings on short skiboards isn't recommended because it can destroy the flex of the short boards.

I don't know how easy you could find them at a discount this time of year, but Atomic makes a maxi twin tip snowblade about 120 cm that I think comes with releasable bindings.

krumly

Great info! Thanks - I'll let you guys know what I choose.

Davinch...Am definitely interested in what you get. It sounds like you may be purchasing before I do, so I'll have to learn from your purchasing experience..nice I know..haha.
~Joe

No snow yet - but this video sure makes me wish we had some!

Ozone Snow Vid

DaVinch -

I'm in St. Paul, MN, and the only place you're using snowblades around here is on the manufactured snow at the ski areas. For me, it's about ice skates right now or my buggy on grass. The iceboaters love the black ice, except when it gets sloppy on top.

A few guys are riding snowboards with this device called a Switchblade attached off the heelside edge at board center. It's basically a small, height-adjustable skate blade that gives you bite on the ice along with the tip and tail board edge.

krumly

Maybe I’ll just wait till next season.

We just are not getting any snow here...

Damn Global Warming

DaVinch... You're not alone bud. Had intended on getting some blades myself this year, but decided that it wasn't going to be a worthy season for the price. If anything I would've bought them and then felt worse then I already do about not getting snow. There's always hope that some will hit, but this late in the season..errrrrrr. The ski resorts are really taking a hit this year all along the east coast, including up north.

I second the damn to global warming.

Just tried snowblades this week in 6-7 inches powder.

Not a good idea. Feet dont follow body.

But was fun on flat surface, easy fast turn and control.

I have used them on downhill ski, not stable at fast speed

I would expect the same when kiting at high speed.

So, longer skis seem better denis? Maybe it's a good thing I never ordered them.

DaVinch -

As I mentioned before, I learned to kiteski with 95 cm Line snowblades, and I'm not much of a skier, but I don't regret having them at all. Denis is right, they are squirrelly at high speed, but you can carve a turn with a 4-5 m radius as opposed to 10-12 m for most downhill skis - makes for really fast jibes.

They work well for me on packed, icy crud. Float on powder is lacking, even though they're wider than most downhill skis. Hasn't been much of a problem here yet, 'cuz are five inches of powder is backed up by ice or dirt (lake or grass field).

I also have a pair of K2 Escape 160 cm shaped recreational skis w/ Salomon C509 bindings - basic recreational gear fine for my beginner needs. $80 new for the set-up from Sportmart "bargain bin." And that's great too.

My boots are a pair of Atomic 2 buckle + velcro top strap recreational boots. Light and flexible - I kiteski with them usually in walk mode (more upright and you can lie back against the kite easier. $35 new from Sierra Traders. You gotta have the boots no matter what's under them.

Maybe a pair of twin-tip park skis like Salomon would be a good compromise between speed, maneuverability, and "trickability?"

I don't really know - I'm a rookie having a blast experimenting, so long as I don't go broke! But I'll bet it all cost a lot less than one FS Pulse You have me drooling there, though I can't wait to try the 9m PL G2 this weekend I recently picked up from Kent Kingston (thanks, Kent)

krumly

Thanks for the info Krumly.

Our snow is almost gone again

Please let us know how you make out with the Peter Lynn - I have never flown one yet.

Joe