This one is haunting me. Almost makes summers end look like a good thing :wink2:

Same here! I've been looking to buy some new skis. I want to chase some speed this winter on the lake

B-Roc posted some impressive numbers last year

So...what type (twin tip, powder, etc.) of skis are you guys going to use this season?

I just heard on the news that BC got or is about to get its first snowfall and Mt. Washington, NH should get its next week :singing:

I can't wait

Twin tips would definately be best for freestyling but I like older style (or minimally side cut) skis for the conditions I ride. I have a pair of 180 recreational skis, 185 race skis and 190 mogul skis (I'm 5'7" and 145#)

I used to use the 180s all the time but since last year had little snow cover I went with the straighter and more stiff 185s and that was what I was doing speed runs on.

I think I'll start with those this year.

If I had to go with just one ski type I'd get an all mountain, recreational cruiser. They are best for all around conditions so they will carve OK and cruise OK. They might be a little soft in the shovel and get squirely if you start cruising real fast and powered in deeper snow but generally speaking, if you wanted only one pair, go with those, and if you see someone tossing a pair in a yardsale, pick them up. Remounting bindings really isn't that hard and P-Tex repairs are simple as pie.

Personally, I don't think one needs the best gear for lakes and ponds. If I was going off-piste and skiing at altitude in steep and deep conditions, I'd use my best gear but for cruising over rocks, trees and ice fishing holes, just get something that will keep you moving and repair if needed.

And don't forget to wax the bases and sharpen the edges - that is key (especially the edges on ice).

Thanks B-Roc! What was your top speed last year? Any plans to use a GPS this year to record your runs?

Oh yeah... this is what I'm looking forward to - click here

The skimobiler was with me to 45mph so it was at least that.

It was not my most fast run so if his reading was accurate I would say the fastest runs topped out over 50mph.

That was on my 2.5 in winds 25+mph and a solid ice surface with maybe 4 inches of wind compressed snow. It was perfect conditions.

I flew with my 8.5 Blade 2 winters ago in winds measured at 16mph and those runs were also clocked by a snowmobiler at over 45mph. I went so fast so quick that he turned off and I ran out of space to tack back upwind :o and needed to hitch a ride from the snowmobiler back up the lake.

That's fast!

I'm so jealous of people who are getting snow soon! I probably wont be getting any until January and by April it'll be all gone!


BTW Davinch, I'm also jealous of you looking forward to the silver arrow!

Baluk - I sold that one It got me powered up on skis in 6 - 8 mph.

I'm still jealous!:P

The 13m Cent will fly no problem in 2-4mph, well powered by 6-8mph, 10mph and it's how far do you want to fly.

Can't wait to get the 12.4m Combat.

Unfortunately even when it snows in the mountains in S.W. British Columbia there isn't a lot of wide open space up at elevation. Good for the ski hills but we need to wait for the lakes to freeze.
I won't be getting out on the snow until December. I'll need time to recoup from an operation. Most often it is Christmas before the lakes freeze around here so I think I have things planned right.

Hey Snowbird, any of the hills around Merrit suitable, I've got a large gust eating monster we can share.

Quote:

Oh yeah... this is what I'm looking forward to - click here

That's a pretty sweet picture of the Silver Arrow DaVinch, how did you take that photo?

I had great hopes for Merrit. The wind in summer is great but it's mostly thermal generated. It seems like the last 2 winters wind has been spotty at best around Merrit in the winter. It's on the way to my Mothers so I'll still be trying to kite there but don't have the hope I once did for the place :sniff:

So better off hitting up green lake, still, gotta check out merrit for some summer possibilities.

Alta Lake ( also at Whistler ) is smaller and may freeze a bit sooner. It works very well. Nice thing about Whistler is even if you get skunked you can chill in the Village and have a fun day. OR take a 1/2 day pass and ski.
Pab's, You mention breaking a few things at SOBB ? Besides the blown bridle what else did you manage to break ????

Pablo - you are right. I got to fly the Century the other day in 5 - 6 mph winds. Wow - that thing is strong :evil:

Wind-Dave - I just snapped it with my digital camera. It was such a great time! That Silverarrow was a light wind dream kite. However, after about 13 mph, it was a handful. I should have let Powerzone do the Mod to extend the wind range.

I just got in a Garmin Forerunner 205 to track my speeds this year on the lake. I'll write up a review once I get a chance to try it out.

Garmin FR 205

I just needed a smaller, wrist mounted GPS. My goal is 45 mph this year!

**snowbird wrote**** Pab's, You mention breaking a few things at SOBB ? Besides the blown bridle what else did you manage to break ???? ******

let me know if i can hook you up with more bridle lines "Pab's"

Nothing, just a quote from "Swave", went something like this "The wind is up, let's go to the beach and break some s**t"

I'd fix the bridal myself, but once one line went with the kite under load it started a cascade, blew out a min of 12 bridal lines, most of the A and some of the B. The bridal failed mid kite loop so the kite was really heavily loaded up. Teaches me to tinker and push something past the design specs. New bridal is ordered, who knows how many other bridal lines have been over stressed as well that haven't snapped yet.

Yes! We got snow for the first time a couple days ago, and it snowed teh next day for the entire day... granted everything melted on contact with teh ground, it still is a good sign !

Snow eh, could be good for some speed runs if it sticks in the next couple weeks.:evil:

No snow yet, but I got my skis out today - they really need a good wax.

Anyone have any tuning tips?

Try this one DaVinch.
Hope the link works, this is the first time I've tried to list a link...:puzzled:




Here

I gotta get mine looked at pretty soon also.

Best wishes for the new record attempt!

Tuning is very easy if you have time. I used melt on swix wax for years but have moved over to the rub on waxes over the past few years (I think its F4 or something like that).

For the edges you need a wet/flat stone (to remove burrs) and a mill bastard file to sharpen. For waxing you need wax and flat iron (if you plan to melt) and always use a plastic scraper as opposed to metal. P-tex is good to have if the bases are damaged and metal wires to hold the brakes in the upright position without the boots in them.

Don't forget a nice fat cork to polish the wax when done and some use a brush for wax application but I never do.

Use the link referenced above for directions or google "ski tuning". There are tons of picture tutorials out there that will describe the process better than I can type it up.

I just traveled over the local mountians and through Merrit. It was windy just to tease me.
There is a little snow + it was snowing at the time up high. The lake at Coq. summit hadn't even started to freeze
My 2 spots, Corbet lake and Mckenzie had no signs of freeze up.

The sergeon gave me the go ahead for 2 months. I had my operation Oct.25 so I've told the Family I'll be busy Kiting Christmas day :smug: What a great present + I'll be in Calgary so my odds of getting out are good

Thanks for the tuning tips

I'm off to the garage to get them ready.

Was just out on a local lake here in Yellowknife watching a few kite skiers. About 4 inches of soft snow over maybe 8 inches of ice. Winds averaging 12kph.

Thanks for the tuning link 1oldkid.

The weather has been teasing us in Calgary - snowed 3 times so far but never enough to cover the grass yet and not cold enough to keep ice on the lakes. The mountains are getting some snow - 90cm (~3ft) on Sunshine Meadows. Too bad the US$ is at par, the ski areas used to be crowded with Americans for their Thanksgiving but not anymore.

Looking forward to a great winter!