I picked up a used snowboard at a thrift store last week since it looked like the snow (about 7") was here to stay.

Overall, it went pretty well. I've snowboarded before, but this was the first time with a kite.

I set up and launched the kite first. The 13m Pulse is very well behaved and remained at zenith so I could cinch up the bindings.

By simply swinging the kite to the side, I was off. I was able to get upwind when I really edged heelside. I didn’t get to ride toeside much.

Jumping went well until I caught my toeside edge, landed face down and got pulled on my stomach for about 30 feet.

By letting go of the bar, the kite depowered enough and I was able to get up.

The depowerability (1:7) of this kite is really impressive. So far, I've used the 13m from 9 - 20 mph and have not felt overpowered.

So...It went well enough that I'm ready for more

Nice one, DaVinch. Next month, I plan on my first snowkiting in VT. I have been snowboarding but with a kite, it makes me nervous. Will see how mine goes - Brian

Brian,

Just noticed you have a Ozone Manta - give us the scoop on it when you get a chance. Is it better than the Frenzy?

Didn't have a chace to fly it yet. Hoping to get a hang of it during my first snowkiting in Feb. Will keep you guys posted. - Brian

Rock on DaVinch I got out to the two ponds in my backyard this weekend but there was no wind... of course.

Winter kiting is awesome.

- LeeBrianh... if you can board and you can kite I know you'll put the two together pretty well.

I skied for years before I ever kite skied and my first run went very well when I started kite skiing.

Plus, you'll be at Kitestorm and Rachael or anyone else will be able to give you any necessary pointers.

I'll be kite skiing pretty regularly now... wind and weather permitting!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by B-Roc - LeeBrianh... if you can board and you can kite I know you'll put the two together pretty well. I skied for years before I ever kite skied and my first run went very well when I started kite skiing.

B-Roc, that's good to hear. I am very excited about my first snowkite experience this year. As a matter of fact, I have prepared everything (snowboard, bindings, and boots etc...) last year and been waiting, waiting and waiting. Can't wait any longer - Brian

I wish I could get some pics - problem is, I can't find anyone to come out to the fields when it's 10 degrees F out

Last couple of weekends I've had the skis out. We only have about 3-4 inches of snow but man was it fun. Much easier for me than land boarding. Only problem was wishing I had more room. I covered a lot of ground quickly in 15-18 mph winds. More than a few plants and belly slides

What do you guys use to secure the kite when you are finished riding (ready to pack it up)?

My ground stake didn’t work so well with the frozen ground...

Maybe an ice screw?

Davinch - don't use an ice screw. They are expensive and not always easily seen once you get going so if you hit them on a board or skis you could really get screwed up if you leave them in the ground. And if you take them out then you need to hold the kite while you work the screw.

Cheapest thing to do is get 1 gallon zip lock bags (2-4 depending upon kite size and wind) and take them with you. Fill them with snow when you get to your destination and plop them on the kite's TE while setting up - just keep them under your bridle. When you get ready to lauch they should slide off and away you go. Dump the snow out at the end of the day and home you go.

If there is no snow go buy some playground sand and fill the bags with sand instead of snow - heavy to carry around but not expensive.

I have 3 canvass birdseed bags filled with ~5#s of sand each and they work fine. I have wrapped flo organge tape around them to make them easier to see after I've launched and so I can find them at the end of the day.

Easiest thing is just snow though if you have it.

Thanks B-Roc,

Setting up is not really my problem - it's the take down. I just need something to stake my bar (or handles) down so that I can make it to the kite and pack up.

Gotcha - you could still use the sand bags if you can get back to you launch point and then drop them on your bar. I've done that with a frenzy and I've also just burried the bar in heavy snow (but the kite wasn't mine ;-)

When I'm on sheer ice, I usually just fly the kite to far edge of the window and let it collapse down and when it seems like it has settled a bit I unclick from the skis and run for it - not the best and easier to get out of skis than a board but I haven't lost a kite yet.

Ok - that's what I tried the other day, but a gust came along and I had to run for it

The Flysurfers stay inflated (looks like an inflated mattress) and they fly away in a little bit of wind...

You could carry a BB gun for emergency venting

I use an ice screw, then put an old ski pole in it so that it is easily visible. Any blowing snow would easily obscure the ice screw. Tthe ski pole comes in handy for popping the bindings on the skis too. I'll be giving a snowboard a try next week.

Could I use the screw in dirt (underneath my 6" of snow)?

Went out again today and It was great. Got in one perfect jump - built up some speed, carved back hard, turned the kite towards zenith, jumped up and pulled the bar in some and sailed for what seemed like forever....redirected the kite and I landed it smooth. That was the best jump I have had so far :tumble:

I spend most of my time on lakes. The icescrew is for ice... - a too fine for the ground. There are various corkscrew style stakes that might work. An ice axe for climbing would be able to be whacked in nicely and might work well.

I skied for 2.5 hours today. Winds were 10-17mph. Started with my 5.5 and dropped to my 2.5. There were about 10 of us all together on 4" fresh snow on a huge lake.

I made first tracks for an hour on a smaller pond before I joined the others who had come out.

Great day.

Sounds like fun B-Roc! Any pictures?

Also - did you get to use the Bego B-Roc??

I wanted to go out so bad today. Big winds but it was -5 with a - 30 windchill. Same thing for Sunday predicted.

Ouch. That is a bit cold to fly in...

If I'm wrong about this I hope someone will pipe up.
What I have done with my Phsyco ( never in ripper winds ) is : Drop the kite at the edge of the window. Decide how you ( it ) wants to let one end flag back in the wind. Quickly wrap the upwind sides leading edge line around the bar for about the length of the kite. Hold that side, hook your safety to you ride and bury it in the snow / sand. Walk to the kite holding the upwind ( wound ) line until you get to the kite. Basically it's the same as a self rescue on water. So I suppose you could possibly start winding all lines after you have done the 1st part and just walk to your kite.
Water lessons are of HUGE value even if you kite on land!

Thanks Snowbird - I'll try flagging it out sometime. I used the fifth line today to pack up with the safety line hooked to my snowboard and it worked great. I just need to get better packing up so I don't end up with tangled bridles...

Hey Joe,

No pictures but there was some video shot (but not with a digital camera).

I didn't get a chance to use the Bego. Probably could have in the morning but wanted to start off with something more familiar to me. Then the gusts came in and I wanted something lower aspect than the Bego.

I regret not having flown it earlier but the ice is solid so I'll be out soon enough and will let you know

Finally, I can join this club. Last Saturday, I had my very first snowkiting in Vermont and I have a proof (unlike you guys :D)

Last Friday, I was looking for a good snowkiting spot nearby but not enough cold weather nor snow. So, I decided to go up north, Lake Champlain, VT.

It wasn't a easy journey, I have to say. According to google map, it is supposed to take 7 hours but took me more than 10 hours due to snowy condition on the way. When I got there it was 2 am. I was tired but so excited about my first snowkiting next day.

Saturday. I had AMAZING time there. Within 5 min, I was up and running across the lake. I am sure my landboarding experiece helped a lot. I was second one setting up a kite in the morning and second last packing up at the end of the day. On the way home on Sunday, I don't know how I drove back. The whole time, I was dreaming about snowkiting

As I promised, here is the proof: If you look at carefully, you can see my dog running around with BumbleBee fashion.

http://www.jbj.us/bbs/zboard.php?id=buggy

and video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R7idvzjHg0

Great pictures!

How much snow was there on top of the ice?

Looks like a great day!

Awesome experience, huh?

Nothing like the sound of the wind at your back as your board or skis cut across the snow on a blue bird day.

I'm lucky enough to be able to snowkite in my backyard and I love getting out there as the sun is rising and laying down fresh tracks in the peace and quiet of the day.