Hey Guys-
Im in Colorado for a few more days, and Im feeling like it would be a bit of a waste if I didnt get out kiting once while Im here. All I have is a 5m kite with me. Im looking for some great snowkiting within a few hours of Colorado Springs, but if its really epic Ill drive farther, I just need to get out kiting! Any help is appreciated. btw, anyone know the condition of the ice on Lake Dillon?

Thanks for any help
-Ben

I'm in Colorado Springs and just started kiting a couple months ago.

There are the remains of a website indicating there was, at one time at least, something resembling a kiting community here...

http://kitecolorado.blogspot.com/

Emailed a couple of time... but no response.

Any other kiters in Colorado Springs out there?

Anybody.

Anybody.

Buuuuhler?

Heard that rabbit ears pass is a good location out my steamboat springs

I recall seeing pictures on the Kiteforum about different spots for kiting in Colorado. I also recall seeing some issues about land use out there, but dont recall the specifics. You might want to try there, and see if you have any luck. I would think it would be a great spot to go, but hard to say... Hope you find a good place with clean wind.

Insectoman,
I live in Canon City and have been going up to Breckinridge and kiting on Lake Dillon where there is alot of snowkiting and the conditions are outstanding, was there yesterday and there was at least a dozen kites flying, wind comes up around noon so it gives you time to get there and get setup other than that there is many places within an hour of C.S that are good but ungroomed.
g-force junkie

Quote:

Originally posted by g-force junkie there is many places within an hour of C.S that are good but ungroomed.

Arr, that's what I be for G-Force - accessible space nearby that'd be good for kite land boarding as well as the occasional snow session. Any particular sites come to mind?

And if you're ever lookin' for somebody to carpool up to Dillon with, leme know!

Always looking for fellow kiters to hook up with, we could meet up in Hartsel and go from there. Hartsel should be about an hour from C.S. up Hy. 24. Also if you like ungroomed terrain of all kinds just go south of Hartsel about 10 mi. to Black Mountain or 39 mile mountain and there is 1000snds of acres of untouched back country just waiting to be ripped. All of it is state land and National Forest.

Check out http://localkitespots.com/kitesurfing/Colorado the link includes a dozen or so snow kiting spots around the state, several contributed by the guys from Drift Snow Kite mag.

William_rx7
Thats a great link, lots of spots I didn't know about.
Thanks,
g-force junkie

Thanks g-force, glad you find it useful. Please help spread the word to other riders you know out there.

Do you ride here?
Dillon Reservoir Map


Have a great season.

Ah yep - thanks G-force, that whole area SW of eleven mile / Hartsel looks full of possibilities presuming the snow is there. Very cool.

Gotta get my kite chops wired though before heading into the back country. Noob sessions at 11-mile and Dillon first.

I've seen references to kiting on 11-mile. Thinking I might make a run up there later this week.

Is there a specific area on 11-mile reservoir where kiters generally go?

InsectOman,
Thats the exact spot I'm talking about, but right now it's north slope only as all the south facing slopes have melted due to the warm weather, as for 11mile thats a maybe if you keep it low key as there are lots of ice fisherman most days, if you need to fly a new kite that your not sure ofcall Anton at 970-485-2296 go to Lake Dillon 30 min. to 1hr. he'll have you up and riding if you have the basics of skiing or boarding and flying, Cost $55.00 1/2 hr. $100.00 full hr. and well worth it even as a tuneup or if your coming off of water to snow.
g-force junkie

I'll vouch for Anton as well. I bought my Access from them and he gave me LOADS of presale support and aftersale support. I hope to meet him one day.

>>lots of ice fisherman most days,

Any portions of 11-mile more kite friendly than others?

Found this vid...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYzOv2e50vQ

>>call Anton at 970-485-2296 go to Lake Dillon 30 min. to 1hr. he'll have you up
>>and riding if you have the basics of skiing or boarding and flying,

Yep, that was already on the todo list. Right now I'm just in the process of finding places to kite, checking them out, and static flying...

Baby steps ;-)

I have to throw in another vote for Anton and his crew, good bunch of guys. I was just up at Dillon last weekend, it has been at full lockup for some time, the conditions aren't bad. I would still call Anton and check for the most recent conditions, even at full lockup there have been times where I find myself restricted to near the beach.

I am still waiting on Loveland Pass (and Berthoud) to get a touch better, i did a backcountry ski lap and the coverage was crap... even in the end of January. I just don't trust myself enough with the speed my kite delivers to be able to avoid the bare dirt and rocks. We just aren't seeing the snow we need. If anyone else has been up there flying this season, I would love to hear your input!! I swear i have never seen another kiter drop in up there, but I hear others have. my question is where the hell are you!?!?!? ha

I am also scouting an open patch up near Nederland (just outside of the caribou region if you know the area) and a large open field belonging to a friendly rancher near Rollensville. I will try and let you guys know how it goes and then post it on the Colorado Kite map site.

Anyways if anyone wants to get together and fly with a beer loving chica let me know. I have tons of free time and try and fly as often as a front-range-skier can during the winter That or if you just want to hang with someone who understands kite geek speak in CO, god knows I have the time, and my friends are sick of me talking about lines, bridles, foils, bows, and wind speeds.

Nic

Quote:

Originally posted by flash I will try and let you guys know how it goes and then post it on the Colorado Kite map site.

That'd be excellent. Can't let the Colorado South Westerners have all the fun

Gotta be snow and wind up here SOMEWHERE!

What about the area up around Brainard lake... or Brainard lake itself? Haven't been up there in 20+ years but back in the day I recall lots of wind and white stuff.

Quote:

Quote: What about the area up around Brainard lake... or Brainard lake itself? Haven't been up there in 20+ years but back in the day I recall lots of wind and white stuff.

Yeah I go snowshoing and cross country skiing up there all the time, the only problem I have found with the lake itself is the ice quality. I might head up there on tuesday. Might just have to bring a small kite just to see. Are you out in the front range area? After nearly a year of flying locally (not counting Dillon crew), i have only met one other flier. I would love to meet new ones

Nic

Quote:

Originally posted by flash Are you out in the front range area? After nearly a year of flying locally (not counting Dillon crew), i have only met one other flier. I would love to meet new ones

Colorado Springs. Land of small flying fields, gusty, direction shifting wind shear - and devilish tumble weeds that can spot and home in on a kite bridle from 100 meters away.

Challenging but still lots of fun.

Someone else you might hook up with is gforce junkie - he's down in Canon City.


If we build it... they will come

hey guys i know this is off topic but i plan on moving to colorado in a few years possibly one year.

my heart is in the rockies, i grew up skiing/snowboarding winterpark and keystone. How is the kite scene around the denver area. ? off the top of my head i would plan on moving to the lakewood area.

whats a nice area/ neighborhood/ apts. low crime area, mid-range salary

We'll have to touch base and meet up, perhaps we can rendezvous at the Dillon Snowkite Open. It's always nice to meet other kite pilots.

I live in Littleton, I fly all over the metro area. We do seem to fly a pretty fair bit at Dove Valley park, on their soccer fields, and that's east enough to get good wind, and close enough to get sessions in without spending the whole day on a drive, and next to an airport so we've always got up to date wind conditions! Guess you could say it's my best local beach

Any park with a soccer field or two is fair game for us.



Houston-http://www.mapskrieg.com/view/denver, craigslist+googlemaps for a place to live... crime is pretty low all over... job market kind of sucks unless you have a good skill or something(just like most places in the US)

kiting 'round Denver is crazy, we are nothing but changing winds most of the time- majority of winds coming over the mountains and being all shifty, if you go east you'll find more constant... I know several kiters who kitesurf boulder Res, but I have not. I stick to the ATB kite and snow.

update for front-rangers, I was just up at a-basin/loveland pass. great conditions, finally have the coverage we need, kinda. 11 inches last night, more on the way, and it was blowing a steady 20 on the east side of the pass from the NNW and 30 on the west side of the pass from the NW. I will post photos soon of the coverage!

Oh and I will def be at the snowkite open, I have a condo up in the area and will be opening it up to anyone interested in chilling in the hot tub post ride!

Nic

Quote:

Originally posted by erratic winds Dove Valley park

Looks sweet from Google Earth. And only 45 minutes away from me...

We don't have any soccer fields that large down here - and the smaller ones we do have are highly directional regarding what winds will work.... still searching for the perfect beach.

Shoot me a U2U next time you're gonna ride there

If you are up in the Boulder/Longmont area, there is pleasant view fields in Boulder, watch out for soccer kids, and Sandstone Ranch in Longmont. I live near the latter and love it. I usually fly with my mt board out there... or fall back and fly some stunts. If you need directions to either let me know.

Aw man, found all sorts of slush underneath a couple pretty inches of fresh out on dillon today, North-side, public pier 9 as a launch...

Still had a great day, though.

Worried for the Snowkite Open.....