Anyone know of a good spot to go kite skiing in Tahoe?
thanks!FreeFlyFrog - 17-11-2006 at 10:53 AM
To refresh the question I'll repost. Does anyone know of good spots to snowkite in Norcal? :frog:zloty - 19-11-2006 at 06:03 PM
Kirkwood is the place I've been riding there,at least trying to...It is close to Tahoe,I heard also that Mamooth is worth checking.For now Skyline
Utah 2&3 Dec-opening the snowkiting seson is the spot.
Captian Obvious Here...
william_rx7 - 20-11-2006 at 10:23 PM
Uh, this may seem silly, but what's wrong with Lake Tahoe itself? :puzzled:
Doesn't it freeze over? A casualty of Global Warming?gilligan - 27-11-2006 at 04:08 PM
It doesn't get cold enough there to freeze the lake. I can't think of any Sierra lakes that completely freeze over.
As far as snow kiting, the only place I've heard of in Norcal is on 88 on the way to Kirkwood. Haven't been yet so can't provide the particulars, but
I understand it is a huge cross-country skiing field as you get near Kirkwood... from what folks tell me it's hard to miss. I plan on getting up there
as soon as we get some decent snow... maybe next weekend.
On a side note... any ideas on what would be easier for the first time snowkiter, a board or skis? I have about the same skills on either
(intermediate-ish)wjb - 27-11-2006 at 06:59 PM
Copied from a post on kiteforum, Thanks Yoda
KITE BEACH, S Lake Tahoe
- NO SUMMER KITING ON THE MEADOW
- environmentally sensitive area, bird sanctuary
- multiple accesses, please think about Snow Plows / Home owners
- summer access REGAN BEACH
- can be flown on most wind directions
IT is possible on the many NE winds that follow the south west storms to kite right along the shore of the lake
GRASS VALLEY (Grass Lake)
- Best on west and south east winds
- best early snow conditions
TOP OF HOPE VALLEY
(farm house meadow)
- Best place to ride south and southwest winds
Boca Reservoir - Boca is located north east of Truckee off of highway 80. Take the Hirshdale exit and go north about 1/2 mile. The lake usually
freezes over in December and is safe through March. There is also plenty of "land" to kite on around the lake. Again, it needs to be a big snow year
or the kiting season is short at Boca. This is the Truckee local windsurfing site in the summer (not very friendly to launch kites in the summer).
Boca is the best area site on a south - southwest day.
Martis Valley Meadow - between Truckee and Northstar is perfect place to snow kite. Wide open areas are on both sides of highway 267. The west side is
a bit better - it's flatter and closer to Truckee. The problem is that it is upwind of the highway, so you better have some skills. The east side is
also good. There is plenty of room, but be sure to stay clear of the airport. We need to have lots of snow or the meadow is dirt. Currently, there is
not enough snow to kite in this area. Parking for Martis Valley Meadow can also be a challenge.
Mt. Rose Meadow - off highway 431, is also a popular site. It is almost always windy, but it can be VERY inconsistent. It'll blow 3-50 mph. Snow is
not usually an issue here as the elevation is close to 8000 ft. The parking at this location is excellent as there is a large parking area on the side
of the highway. Be aware of other users at this area as this is a popular recreation area.
Prosser Reservoir - take highway 89 north off highway 80. Go right on Prosser Dam Road. When the road splits, (where they stop plowing in the winter),
you can go right towards the dam. Snow kiting on the frozen lake in front of the dam is good (especially on west days). A good area for sessions is
just north of the split in the road. Park where they stop plowing and walk about 200 yards north, towards the lake. After you drop down a small hill,
there is a large area that is underwater when the lake is full, so there are no trees and it is totally flat. It is also on land, not ice, for greater
piece of mind.
Red Lakes Area & Carson Pass Area (near Kirkwood) are also good, but no betaFreeFlyFrog - 28-11-2006 at 02:53 PM
SWEET! thanks a lot! That information should be used shortly!:frog:imblowninsc - 29-11-2006 at 09:26 AM
Hey freeflyfrog have fun in skyline. go catch some wind for all of us. play safe and drop progress reports now and again. P.s I am curious what kites
you are using. Imblowninsc.Dagon - 19-1-2007 at 04:00 PM
I have heard there is a place off of soda springs exit off of I 80. take the exit and look around, I here it is not hard to find.
please let us know with some feedback if anyone has luck with any of these spots.divadrois - 20-1-2007 at 09:41 AM
I live in south lake tahoe. My first kite is on the way. If anyone is going to venture to any of the above mentioned areas near tahoe, let me know.
To be mildly repetitive, my first thoughts, based purely on open land, without ever snowkiting would be:
hope valley (just west of the junction of hwy 88 and hwy 89, on the way to kirkwood).
Tahoe Meadows (mount rose meadows, off hwy 431 looks good as well, but I know nothing of the wind)
Grass Lake (off S hwy 89, leaving lake tahoe basin, heading toward kirkwood and 89/88 junction). Lake is not very deep and freezes over. I want to
say I have seen tracks out there, but do not know the winds.
Unfortunately, tahoe won't be freezing over anytime soon. otherwise, it would be some fantastic ice/snow kiting.
could you imagine a 22x12 mile playland. burninheretic - 11-11-2007 at 06:03 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by divadrois
I live in south lake tahoe. My first kite is on the way. If anyone is going to venture to any of the above mentioned areas near tahoe, let me know.
I am renting a place in S. Lake Tahoe from Dec 23rd to Jan 2nd. This time around I don't have any fellow kiters tagging along, so would love to have
some company out in the field. Send me a U2U with your contact info if you are interested in meeting up.
I've been to a few of the places mentioned above, but unfortunately, my last (and first) snow kiting trip to Tahoe didn't see much wind. Hoping for
better this time. Cheers!coolmtnbiker048 - 20-12-2007 at 10:50 AM
Hey guys
how is the snow conditions up there right now? I have a 5.3 and 3.4 foil kites, and a 12M C-Kite. what is the best spot near the north shore? I'll
be up there a week from tomorrow.
