I want to get into snowkiting this winter but i don't know whether i should use a snowboard or skis or if i should use my 3m or my 5.5m. I mean like with the decreased friction would i be able to use my 3m? The only thing i worry about is that its a 2 line and i cant depower if i get a sudden gust of wind. Do they make 4 line convesion kits? If so how much and how hard is it to do? Also i have been snowboarding for 3 years (can make it down a black diamond) and i've been skiing for 10 years and i can bomb a 3/4 mile run at a 60 degree angle with huge moguls in less time than the ski patrol requires (they require 3 i can do it in 2) so i like the idea of a snowboard because of the simplicity (nothing to cross) but i keep hearing its easier for a nowvice skiier then an experiaced snowboarder. so should i go with skis?

Just started kite skiing last year (well I tried maybe once or twice the year before in no where near enough space) and found it really easy. My skiing experience at that time was very limited too. I use really old 180's (only for kiting, snow baldes downhill and behind my quad) and don't ever cross the tips. All I had last year was a 4.9 BIII. You'll probably use your 5.5 mostly, depending on what your winds are like of course, but you could definetly use the 3m too. I wouldn't use it without adding a safety line though. With a pair of 180 skis it takes almost nothing to get you going and you can go upwind at a huge angle. Whether you go with skis or a board I'm sure you'll love it. I've been wanting snow since june.

Do whichever one you feel more comfortable with, you'll find that you'll probably use both kites for different conditions. Problem with a snowboard is same as with a landboard, you'll have to spend half the time riding regular and half riding goofey to get back. Depowerable will make it easier, but no where near needed.

This will be my 4th winter kite skiing but my 30th on skis. If you are good with a kite and good with skis or a board, I think you will put the two of them together very quickly.

The thing with snow is, on skis, you can hold down a ton of power if there is a decent base because you've got two long edges, but on snow, you don't need much wind to get going so while you can use a big kite, you don't often need it.

But kites of all sizes are helpful and I've skied with every kite in my quiver though last year the winds allowed for mainly the 2.5 to be the kite of choice (I'm 145 pounds)

I don't snowboard but I do landboard and I'd imagine that is similar enough to say that skiing will likely be easier but that's just my opinion.

Do what you like but you'll need both kites. I would look in to a 3rd or 4th line option for your foil though as reverse launching on ice is a critical ability to have if you don't carry an ice screw along with you to anchor the kite so you can run to it and flip it if you can't do that on the bar or with handles.

Skiing is my favorite form of traction sports but it is a pain to set a kite up in a howling wind on ice or a blowing snow surface and brakes help - even more so if the kite or you wind up on the ground and you need to right it. If you can't do that and find yourself in the middle of a lake with no ability to secure or flip the kite - your session could end early or you could wind up chasing you kite.

That being said though, I did ski with 2 riders last year out on 3m, two-line trainers and while they crashed the kites both managed OK either yanking enough so the kite eventually flipped or having someone like myself or another rider ski over to their kite and flip it for them so they could continue on.

Good luck!

Good points B-Roc! I purchased an ice screw for this season on the lake.

That was the one thing I really needed last year.

As for skis vs snowboard - I tried both and skis were better for me

And one other thing was on my list - a smaller GPS to check my top speed.

I purchased a Garmin Forerunner 205. It fits on your wrist like a large watch.

Now I need to chase some speed and catch up with B-Roc!

Yeah i will probably wind up yanking the lines to right it (I have become a master at relaunching a 2 line as i crashed it alot doing my first jumps and i was to lazy to walk over) Yeah i should do the gps thing (i did that doing downhill skiiing and hit 52 mph; now THAT is a rush)

Quote:

Originally posted by DaVinch Now I need to chase some speed and catch up with B-Roc!

Bring it on brother

If the winter winds and ice surface allows it we'll be going full out in the northeast.

Then, I'll just say I bought a GPS and post that I beat you by 2mph every time :wink2: on a smaller kite

How fast can u hit on your skis? (your fastest):puzzled:

You can go to stormboarding.com and check out the speed results.

You can go pretty fast in the right conditions.

I have been measured 2x at 45+ mph and know I have been over 50 but had no GPS to confirm that speed - just snowmobilers pacing me to see how fast we could go.

I found it was easier to learn snowkiting on skis. At least, it was easy to go upwind in the first sessions.

On snowboard, I have more fun, and the feeling is like kitesurfing or landkiting. More fun to do small jumps too.

So now I used skis in light wind, or when too ice spots on a lake, because I dont' want to scratch my snowboard.

Nothing beats a session on powder using a snowboard.


On a snowboard, I am a goofy (right foot first). But only when kiting, I find I keep my stability easier when I go left. Any clue ??

I think ill start on skis as i have been doing it for longer and by what you are saying it seems easier.

>> Why is the power zone always in front of the sun?

Just go upwind and you'll have the sun in your back :singing::singing::singing:

I cant go upwind! I'm like up wind retarted or something. When i try to go upwind i get pulled out of my buggy sideways. Is an NPW a bad upwind kite? :ticking:

Sorry NPWfever

I don't know these kites, and I have no experience at all on a buggy, but I wish I'll do someday.

But aren't you supposed to be belted on the buggy ? Like this you would not slide out.

But when you start snow kiting on skis, you'll for sure go upwind easily using a 5m+ whatever brand it is. For sure there are better kites to go upwind (usually higher aspect ratio helps). But on skis it's too easy.

cheers.

I made my NPW and it is very low aspect like 1:1 And my buggy is also home made so its not the best. Probably good so i can bail instead of flipping.

google nasa para wing

NPW's will go upwind, but there are better kites out there that make it easier. Here's where the deeper side rails and wider axle comes in, you need to hold a fair bit of power to get upwind easily, and you really benefit from a buggy that will allow you to sit in it and let the side rails hold you in place while holding this power.

Rule of thumb, if you've got enough power to skudd 5-10ft at will by swooping the kite low, you've got more than enough power to get upwind no problem, Once you're flying powered up enough you'll find that it's harder to go downwind than it is to go upwind.

You'll like the Pansh 8m, way better kite and you'll have quite a bit more power on tap. It should also sit further forward in the window generating more forward/upwind pull than sideways drag. The full on race kites cut a stupid angle upwind.

I tried some snowkiting this weekend when it snowed like 8 inches out here. OMG!! it was sooo sick, i wanna go again!!! I used a board and liked it but I still need to try my skis.:o

Where do you live?

Its been so mild here things aren't looking good for winter at all

Colorado, Anyone else here? like highlands ranch area?

NPWfever -

I've used a friend's NPW9 5 m kite skiing a couple times and could make my way upwind in light winds, but my 3.5 m foil pointed higher in the same conditions. The NPW9 is more efficient and has a wider window than the NPW5.

Sounds like you're a good skier and boarder, so you're in for a fun winter.