Ok this is my first winter with a power kite. I have only been flying static with my Twister. I haven't had the money to buy a landboard yet.
Just wondering if there is anything cool I could do with the Twister this winter besides fly static that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. Or maybe some things I could add to the Christmas list to use with the kite.
I know I can count on you guys to help feed my addiction!

Ice skates are cheap. Also before I had any of the good toys (buggy) I use to sit in a sled with my daughter on a frozen lake and let the kite do the work. Only works one way so plan on walking or hitch a ride back with an atv or snowmobiler.

Hit up Craig's list for a pair of skis...

Ice skates scare me lol. They look like they would be hard on the ankles. I might look into skis or maybe a cheap snowboard.... The sled idea sounds fun. We have several lakes near us that will be frozen this winter.
Keep the ideas coming...

I don't have 1st hand experience but know Canuck and some others use " Snow Blades "
http://www.curtissportconnection.com/Snow_Blades.htm ( 1st link off google )

I know Canuck goes to skis when he has space + snow but they work ? They should make picking it up about as easy as it gets?

+1 for ice screw.

If you buy actual skis and have never done it short is best for quicker learning.

( p.s. No Pro here )

If your going to be on ice get a ice screw (ice climbing) to use instead of a stake. Kites can blow away On ice faster than you can run or skate.

keep an eye out for ski and snowboard swaps before the season. Where I live they are anytime around early November.
Go to second hand shops where people donate used things. I've picked up skis for 10-15.00 - not the most current but good shape and useable. Also picked up many old straight edge skis for free because people want the new shapes but straight edge works fine kite skiing as a cheap way to start. So for us the ski route is super cheap to start, it's just finding a ski boot that fits and that is something that can make or break your day as far as comfort so I would start investing in that first and you can always decide to buy better skis down the road.
Similar to snowboards but you don't get as many cheap or free snowboards out there.
you can have fun sliding around on all kinds of things but they may not have any directional control, it might be hang on and go downwind and walk back.
Snowbuggy or ice buggy - you need to be set up for it and then conditions play a lot into how well it will work. Blades need a nice ice surface so a mix of snow and ice that gets chewed up doesn't work for blades well. Heavy wet snow or really deep snow can bog down a snow buggy so I find it's hardest finding good conditions all season for just one thing - good to have a few options.

Here is a sled video

You could try a big wooden downhill toboggan and stand up and use it like a surfboard but steering is a challenge and you don't go upwind well.

I did try a pair of kid's plastic skis that strap onto snow boots but they didn't slide well.

I get a lot more days in on skis than other kiters who only snowboard because the snow blows off the ice and boarders cannot hold an edge.

If you aren't a skier or snowboarder yet and have a rental shop nearby it might be a good idea to rent gear, then buy used boots and blades/skis but you might end up spending as much as a used landboard or Coyotes so you might have to pick your season.

I addition to an ice screw I usually pack a collapsible shovel to put snow on the kite. I also pack a gallon jug full of sand with a carabiner on a line through the handle to use as an anchor if not on ice, or to use as a kite weight if there is not loose snow.

A fellow I snowkite with has attached an old ski pole to his ice screw. When he parks his kite, he lands the kite and lets it drape around the pole - works well with smaller kites in higher winds.

yeah mini skis are pretty fun, cant wait to use those with a kite this winter

We love our snow tubes for goofing around. The ones like you rent at the big tubing hills not the cheapie at Walmart. Gander mountain sells these tubes at a good price.

When not kiting with them.... You have one of the best sledding instruments on the planet.

Large lake inflatables make it so you can carry some passengers....

Just be ready to haul it back as these set ups are a blast but they are one way trips.

Check the local ski resorts for rental boards and skis that are now for sale.... The skis have demo bindings and will adjust to fit many boot sizes....

There is also the old stand by..... A couple of empty 2 liter bottles and some duck tape to secure them to your boots.... A definate wild ride and works awesome on frosty grass this time of year..... Get some hill billy butt pads before you try some of these methods.... They are a hoot but your going to end up skidding on your butt... Lol

If you use an ice screw (which you should) be sure of the type of ice you are screwing into and be sure to screw it in all the way.

MNKitefan do you ski?

I do not ski or I should say I haven't been in years.

Your twister should do well combined with skis. Skiing is like riding a bike, you would pick it back up in no time, besides it's an awesome workout to keep those legs in shape. I vote for longer skis over the snowblades, Long=Stability at speed and much better edge hold.
+1 for an ice screw if riding on frozen lakes, it's almost mandatory in my book. There's not much to hold onto when your on ice.

Rob

Be warned that a new ice screw will cost as much as beat up second hand snowboard... If you have any friends that ice climb then see if they have one they have retired they will give you.

I would get hold of a snowbaord if I were you. its possible to ride a board without specialist footwear which its not with skis.

Ok you wont have as much control as with snowboard boots but you CAN ride wearing hiking boots or something. Also 2nd hand snowboard boots are cheap and more likely to fit without doing permenant damage to your feet.

Kite skiing is a little easier than kite snowboarding if you are totally green to snowsports and sometimes you can find skis and stuff in charity shops for next to nothing. One of my friends got their whole snowboard setup (board & bindings, boots, pants, jacket, goggles) for less than $100 between 2 charity stores...

Yup screws can be pricey. They can be found on Ebay used for less, especially the titanium one's from Russia but as a rule we avoid the Russian Ti screws after seeing a few fail. Old Black Diamond screws are the best bang for the buck or if you're lucky some old Lowa screws would be a good score. They are a bigger diameter and easier to clear after you've extracted them from the ice.

Don't get a hammer in type.

If you haven't skied in a while and the conditions aren't deep snow then a pair of snowblades would be a good start for you to get your skiing/edging skills back up to speed. Lives2 is right about tracking down old ski stuff. Straight skis are worthless these days to gravity skiers but perfect for riding the kite. So if you look around deals can be had.

Most shops won't work on old bindings so take that into account. You may have to adjust the bindings to match the boots yourself when you buy old stuff but you can it it almost free.

I only ski on 160s ( twin tip ) as a rule . Longer skis may be better once you have skills but shorter makes learning easier . I do have long straight skis for speed but they almost never come out.

Shops shouldn't have a problem working on a old (non-indemnified) biding assuming it isn't a composite model with heavy degradation. ie the binding is plastic and has a hazy look to it or the toe wings are crack or the heel tabs.

If the binding is solid and you are willing to sign the waiver stating that you have requested they work on a non-din or non-indemified binding you should be good to go. Any good shop will have these waivers on file because they also get used when people request din settings outside manufacturer's specs.

I have 160 cm twin tips for freestyle but they almost never come out.

I was told different and ended up buying new bindings for my Old Olins ? :duh:

I use short twin tips for " Lack"O"style ! I only wish I got out enough to develop some style! The long straight edges are the tool for ice though ! They came in handy last year!

I am from the Short skis and Long hair skool the 1st time around. My Olins were my last straight skis and are 200's so I did eventually cut my hair. ;-) I have been suggesting all along that short skis are best for learning. Long straight sharp skis will serve well but are not as easy to learn on. Short skis allow you to stand and fuss with your gear. I have seen people struggle with learning and learning to board all at once. Getting the board on, Starting from sitting ... Always go with what you know ! If you have skate / ski experience start kiting that way. Board experience, start that way.