I just started kiting. I have put in about 5 hours or so of getting the hang of launching and flying the 'best' 3 m trainer kite. I think I have the hang of it well enough to give it a go on skis. I am an expert skier, but how well does that generally transfer? I assume I can just use my downhill skis and bindings?

Also is there anyone from the NH/MA area, where do you guys go to snowkite?

There are lots of people from NH/MA flying and skiing and kiting. check out the forum at www.powerlinesports.com for updates on when riders are heading out. N. Conway is a popular spot. Long Lake in ME is popular. Lake Mascuppic in Dracut, MA is popular. Lake Massappessic in Manchester is popular as well as lake Sunapee and other spots.

If you can fly the kite and you can ski I think you'll put the 2 of them together real well. IMO, kite skiing is one of the easiest forms of traction kiting. Your normal skis and bindings are fine for kite skiing. I use my beater skis and old straight skis that hold an edge well.

thanks, that is excellent info!

You guys probably already know, but if you don't check out this new online kite ski mag.

It is a great resource!

http://www.driftsnowkitemag.com/drift/

where are you located?

I am in Beverly, MA. How about you?

Dracut, MA. There are a bunch of guys in and around Nahant. Check that out on a windy day if you are into any of the other land traction sports.

snow coming, but lakes down here are not frozen yet ,maybe late january

as a general rule you need two consecutive weeks where the day time temps are below freezing (assuming that night temps are too) in order for the ice to be safe. A minimum of two inches is required to support the average person (minimum because ice doesn't freeze uniformly so if its 2 inches at one spot it could be open water somewhere else).

Ice claws (http://www.nordicskater.com/safety/) are good to have if you spend a lot of time on the ice and want to have a better chance at a self rescue if you go under. You can buy them at the link provided or make them out of nails, cork, a bungee and some tubing. I always wear mine and carry a 15' rope with loops on both ends to assist in a rescue if needed.

After this winter thaw that we just had I'd say we must be starting from scratch as far as ice goes around here. B-Roc do you have an idea of what time of year the ice is usually frozen around here or is that a silly question since there is no such thing as "usual" weather here?

I really hate the idea of falling through ice with a snowboard strapped to my feet. I think it would be really difficult to get out of the water with feet strapped to the board. And it would be really tough to release the bindings underwater. On the plus side as long as other people were nearby they may be able to help pull you out by the kite lines. Still not a situation that I ever want to be in. Skiis might be easier to get out of but still not fun. I fell through our small pond a few times as a kid and it was only 3 or 4 feet deep and was still pretty scary.

Unfortunately there is a real lack of open space in Eastern MA and south eastern NH so the lakes are about the only options that we have. There are some giant open corn fields over in south western NH near my parents that I'm dying to try. They are kind of low lying but are right in the Connecticut river valley so I'm hoping they may get decent wind funneling down the valley. Hopefully I can give them a try once the snow comes back.

I live on conservation land that leads to 2 ponds so I'm on the ice skating and snowshoeing and kiting as soon as I can for as long as I can. Over the past 10 years I've lived there, the earliest I've been on the ice is Jan 1 and the longest it took to freeze safely one year was the 2nd week of February. The longest the ice stayed safely frozen one year was the second week of April. The earliest it melted was late February. So you can see that there are no real averages and it depends on the depth and size of the lake. the one in my backyard is between 13 and 26 feet deep (estimate based on ice fishing traps).

In most years, February is the month for skiing on ponds around here. Sometimes earlier and sometimes it lasts longer depending upon the cold.

I never go out before the snowmobiles and even then, I wait until there are mutliple sleds on the ice riding and stopping and people fishing. I like to make sure the ice is safe in multiple spots before I venture out.

Thanks for the ice report, that's about the pattern I expected.

That sounds like a nice spot. Especially if you can actually get a few days a year with ice+snow+wind. I'm more tempted to go north than south to kite but I might have to come check that out sometime. Let me know once you're iced up down there. Since I'm just a shade north it will give me an idea on when to head out and check lakes around here.

Is there a list on here of some of the better known legal spots in New England?
This is what I have found so far, feel free to add to the list, as this is a small start:

Land:
Woodsom farm Amesbury, MA


Ice:
Sebago Lake, ME
Lake Megunticook, ME
Lake Sunappe, NH
Lakes Region/Winnipesaukee, NH
Milton-Sand Bar Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT: http://www.stormboarding.com/
Killington, VT: http://www.basecampvt.com/basecampvt/Kite_shop.html

As long as its not private property, its legal. That means any lake, pond or public park.