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Snow Kiting

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Origin

It is believed Snowkiting originated in the 1980s when Alpine skiers used square parachutes to power themselves uphill, over ice; it’s easy to assume Snowkiting originated out of Kitesurfing, but it had several influences.

Thirty years ago, people were allready playing with the idea of Snowkiting. Steve Shapson, from Wisconsin, USA, initially used several stunt kites at once, which later led to the development of the Force 10 foil, a large stunt kite. Around the same time, John Stanford, Phil Huff and Frank Gordon created UpSki, a specially designed parachute, which can still be bought today.

Those pioneering this sport can now benefit from further developments of lighter and better-suited kite designs. Testament to this is the fact that kitesurfers and snowkiters can share the same kit, meaning anyone who can kitesurf can easily apply themselves to snowkiting, and vice-versa.

Get Started

With any kite sport it is essential to first get some lessons. Loosing control of the kite can happen so quickly that you might not expect it, so it's better to have had some expert tuition.

Most snowkiting courses need you to have some prior board or ski skills, as the core part of the lessons are using the kite. Kiting on snow tends to be easier to learn than kitesurfing - standing on snow involves less skill than staying up on the water.

It’s adviseable to check what the courses offer, as some require that you supply your own protective gear and others ask you to bring your own training kites.

Equipment

Helmet
Knee pads
Impact vest
Harness
Snowboards
Telemark Skis
Bindings
Snow jacket
Salopettes
Airfoil Kites

Style

Freestyle – Riders either use kickers, rails and jumps, or the terrain around them to show off the best of their skills.

Park – Similar to freestyle, only it is carried out on a snow park.

Backcountry – Exploring off-piste

Race – Kiters race on a set course, whether it is across back-country, around a park, or on-piste.

Lingo

Hindenburg – When the kite looses wind and falls out of the sky, referring to the airship disaster.

Handlepass – When executing spinning tricks, the rider must unhook the control bar and pass it behind their back.

Kitemare – Snowkiting and kitesurfing accidents.

Lofted – Due to strong winds the rider looses control and is lifted vertically into the air.

Luff – The same as with sailing, poor air flow causing either flapping or the kite to drop, the rider must then move to catch the wind.

Nuking – Extreme wind conditions reaching speeds up to 30/40 knots.

Overpowered – A result of increase in wind speed, a kite too large for the conditions or poor adjustments.

Power up – Kite gains more power.

Power Zone – Positioning the kite in a particular area of the sky to create the most power.

Send it – Pursuing the power zone.

Schlogging – Riding with very little power.

Spreader bar – The steel bar connecting the lines to the rider – joined by a hook on the harness

Underpowered – Due to any number of factors there is too little power from the kite, the rider has to keep diving and raising the kite.

Wind window – The area in front of the rider when facing downwind.

Zenith – When the kite is directly above the riders head and it’s possible to stop momentarily.

Air time – Period of time in the air after jumping.

Boost – The kite gaining more power and the rider getting air.

Chicken Loop – Rubber section of the attachment between the harness and kite lines

Chicken bone/finger – Holds the chicken loop to the spreader bar, stops the rider from becoming unhooked.

De-power – Most modern kites are designed with a control bar built in, this allows the rider to set the kite to certain power levels and even take almost all the power out of the kite.

Govern

International Kiteboard Organisation
http://www.ikointl.com/

International Snowkiting Association
http://www.snowkite.org/index.cfm

Packing

Thermals
Salopettes
Jumper
Ski jacket
Gloves, bare in mind that you will need to be able to move your hands quite freely to control the lines. Worth investing in slimmer gloves, or thermals underneath a pair of waterproof gloves.
Socks
Hat
Sunglasses
Helmet
Protective vest and knee pads (optional)
Kite
Harness
Board or Skis
Bindings
Kite bag
Rucksack

Safety

-Pre-flight

Have the right kite you and the weather conditions.
Wear the correct safety gear.
Check the condition of your gear.
Test your equipment before flying.
Kites should have a safety leash/quick release.
Let someone know where you will be flying.

-While flying

Beginners should learn downwind from other kiters.
Always have an experienced kiter with you to help launch and land your kite.
Launch and land kites in the designated area (at least 100 yards away from any obstructions).
Do not carry out jumps or tricks in the landing area.
Know your signals (launching:thumbs up, landing:pat your head).
Those travelling downwind should have right of way.
Right hand forward – right of way.
Left hand forward – change course.
Downwind kiter passing another kiter – raise the kite.
Upwind kiter passing another kiter – lower the kite.
Keep at a distance from other kiters and spectators.
Never fly in a storm.

*look after your equipment

Snow Kiting Travel Guide

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