I'm thinking about picking up a pair of dedicated snowkiting-only skis, and am wondering what I should be looking for. My primary terrain will be frozen lakes, and both my skiing ability and snowkiting experience would be classified as "extreme beginner". I'm about 175 lbs, and would probably lean more towards carving instead of speed. (Though who doesn't like speed?!)

Any suggestions for style/length/etc?

Thanks!

you wont do much carving while kiting so forget about parabolic skis.

if you can grab an old pair fo straigth skis, go for it, they will do the job. the longer they are, more speed you get, and more stable, so nothing below 170cm.

plus when the surface is not perfect (like ice spots or uncovered spots), then you dont mind scratching your old skis.

if you go freestyle (a bit later), then get some twin-tips skis. They are pretty straight (no carv), and the sole is wider, so it gives a better float when there is powder

Hey Scissor - I'm using a set of old school 195 slalom skis. They work well on the lake.

However, I'm really thinking about a set of wider Twin Tips for the deeper snow (if we get any).

Do you have skis now?

While these folks are right about longer straight skis you may want to think of picking up a cheapo set of short ones as well. Only because of your beginner status.
Not unlike starting with flying a small kite and then wanting more power starting on really short skis can save a ton of agro for a complete beginer. If you have ice skated and get VERY short skis it will come to you pretty easy. Going to longer skis will improve the power you can hold but they will be awkward at 1st. Better to get used to and enjoy riding then move to a larger kite and longer skis as your confidence grows.
The shorter skis may come into play again later if you want to start jumping ?

As an extreme beginner I would pick up a used pair of ~90 cm snowblades. Not good for top speeds, but they turn on a dime and will help you learn without having to do step turns with heavy 170+cm straight skis.

The only time I carve consecutive turns on a lake is going with the wind on a run or a broad reach. I find I spend most of my time going back upwind to get to where I started - long traverses, edge control, no turns until you run out of lake and have to turnabout.

Keep your edges sharp if you have open ice and don't get overpowered. I wish snowblades were around when I was learning to ski

I started kite skiing on snow blades without ever having downhill skied. The edging and quick turns are awesome on wet or packed snow, but they stink in powder and are marginal on ice when you'd like a longer edge for more stability and control.

When we get the cold weather with wind blown drifts alternating with bare ice, they aren't so good. With minimal flotation, if the tips dive and catch under the crust, you can trip. I really have to keep my weight back to keep the tips up.

Any thing works for kiting. I stick with about 1/2 degree bevel on the base edges and 1 degree on the sides - seems a reasonable compromise for skis I use both on the slopes and on lakes with the kites.

krumly

Wow, that's a pretty wide range of suggestions! From 190 cm down to 90! Hmmmm, now what do I do?

No DaVinch, I don't have any skis now (save for my cross-country ones, which don't count.) I've only downhill skied a couple times, so perhaps snowblades would be better to start with?

But old used skis are dirt cheap, so if I can get both a long and short pair with the same style binding, perhaps I'll do that.

Thanks everyone for the advice, if you have any more I'll take it!

In fact, I just bought a used pair of atomic 180 skis with bindings on ebay for $0.99! Plus $25 shipping of course. They're 9 years old but for that price, who cares?

Now to see if I can find some cheap snowblades...

scissor

good choice !

as for you snowblades I disagree with some folks here. I dont think you really need them in the beginning even if you have no ski experience.

First you wont turn a lot. You will probably go straight back and forth across wind. So going straight with long skis is quite easy.

You wont jibe when you change direction in the begining. You will probably bring the kite slowly at 12, slow down, stop and restarts the other way.

By the time, you get used to kiting faster, and turn to change direction, you will master the long skis.

skiing while kiting is much easier than downhill ski bacause you dont carve, there is no muggle, you control your speed not with your skis but the kite, etc...

but you may still get a snowblade pair for few buck and try it yourself

good wind:D

180 isn't too long by old straight ski standards. I'm on 200's and only 5'7" .

When I suggested short skis I wasn't thinking of snow blades. More like 150 or 160 cm skis. The 180's should be a nice middle ground .

Have fun. THAT'S the important thing !

Quote:

Originally posted by snowbird 180 isn't too long by old straight ski standards. I'm on 200's and only 5'7" . When I suggested short skis I wasn't thinking of snow blades. More like 150 or 160 cm skis. The 180's should be a nice middle ground . Have fun. THAT'S the important thing !

Hi snowbird

did not want to pinpoint anyone.

As for 150-160 would be ok as for the length.

But it would not be as per scissor weight (175lbs). Older skis were not as stiff as parabolic ones. Short skis were made for lighter people.

But I guess kiting a flat surface would have no impact.

Now with parabolic skis and reinforced sole, a 175lbs person can easily pick a 160cm pair of skis and even less.

But I personally tried kiting with snowblades. I have one pair that I picked up for 20$ when I was teaching my son skiing. I should get ride off them now .

IMO snowblades are only good if you go very slowly, otherwise it becomes very unstable.

Thanks again guys for all the comments. I think I'd have to say that this is probably the most helpful and enthusiastic forum crowd I've found in a long time. Must be because we all have so much fun at this sport!

I'm not sure where you are or if such a thing exists in your area but check for a freecycle or earthcycle group in your area. I got my brother in law convinced that he was missing out on some fun so we checked and found a full set up FREE! That's the way earthcycle works. I had a BBQ I was done with, posted it and it was gone in 2 hours! Check it out. Once you know what you want / need you can buy new but otherwise why not go for free stuff?

Our city's is edmontonearthcycle.org