Power Kite Forum

Hitting it!

Windstruck - 5-1-2016 at 05:46 PM

Had two great Snowkiting sessions this week. Starting to widen my horizons and kited at two locations around town I'd never been on before but had been eying for a while. Both are big and wide open with clean wind for up here in the mountains (nothing directly upwind for a while). As it stands now with the snowpack at the depth it is I was skiing through a lot of tall grass clumps which is an adventure in and of itself. Today for the first time I actually had a session with somebody else! Up till now ALL of my kiting had been solo so that was a real treat! I actually got to think about and execute the "upwind go high right of way" rule! :karate:

I was using my trusty 12m Peak-2 which worked very well. Yesterday's winds were at the high end of its range and I had the clam cleat adjustment pulled way in and I was sheeting out a lot and still getting pulled hard. Today was just right for the kite with the clam cleat at its normal position.

This Snowkiting stuff is a blast, but hard work!

PHREERIDER - 5-1-2016 at 06:52 PM

feeling the stoke

nate76 - 5-1-2016 at 07:08 PM

Awesome! Always nice to have someone to share the stoke with. I've been seeing some pictures from out that direction, and it looks like you guys are doing well for snow. I'm hoping we get another round here Thurs/Friday.

abkayak - 5-1-2016 at 07:25 PM

Awesome:thumbup::thumbup:...but there are no clams in Utah

Bladerunner - 5-1-2016 at 08:18 PM

WooP wOOp KiteLoop!

It sounds like going 2 footed is coming naturally! I kind of knew it would!

:thumbup:

robinsonpr - 6-1-2016 at 07:51 AM

Nice!!!! Any video!?

I went to Norway just before Xmas and had some success on skis. There was an area at the top of one of the lifts which was suitable for snow kiting. Like you say though, REALLY tough on the legs when you're not used to it. I was flying along, pretty scary!!

Also it's given me the excuse to pull the pin on a used 2015 Access 4m :D I found myself borderline overpowered with the 6m Access. In reality the wind wasn't blowing super hard, it was 25mph gusting to around 30mph. But the surface was icy wind crust rather than deep powder, so it was tough to get a nice edge on the crap rental skis I was on, and being in unfamiliar territory I would have preferred a smaller kite in those conditions. I pulled the safety in the end (the Access re-ride system is excellent!!!).

Until this point I didn't think I'd ever want something smaller than the 6m Access because I tend to stay indoors when it's properly windy. But once I get the 4m I will be equipped for higher winds in the buggy :cool2:

Feyd - 6-1-2016 at 09:05 AM

Those Access kite really change one's perception of high winds. Winds that I would normally give a little extra consideration to are now pretty much just as nice to ride as "normal" wind ranges. The noise is really the only difference. :D

Windstruck - 6-1-2016 at 09:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by robinsonpr  
I went to Norway just before Xmas and had some success on skis. There was an area at the top of one of the lifts which was suitable for snow kiting. Like you say though, REALLY tough on the legs when you're not used to it. I was flying along, pretty scary!!

Also it's given me the excuse to pull the pin on a used 2015 Access 4m :D I found myself borderline overpowered with the 6m Access. In reality the wind wasn't blowing super hard, it was 25mph gusting to around 30mph. But the surface was icy wind crust rather than deep powder, so it was tough to get a nice edge on the crap rental skis I was on, and being in unfamiliar territory I would have preferred a smaller kite in those conditions. I pulled the safety in the end (the Access re-ride system is excellent!!!).


Way to hit it Paul!!!! I think you were pretty gutsy to do what you did. A foreign land, rental skis, icy conditions, enough wind to put the 6m Access in the border zone.... I'd say you pretty much earned your Man Card for the year that day! That and your "mudder" posting; you're covered. :cool:

I used to live in Stockholm, Sweden and have been cross-country skiing / touring in Norway a few times. What an incredible place for Snowkiting. Huge open spaces, big wind, snow-snow-snow, the whole works. I'd love to get back there now that Snowkiting is in my life.

I picked up a 6m Access from Chris (feyd) a couple of months ago but have to date only had it out for a couple of static sessions. What I experienced then really impressed me, particularly the Re-Ride system. I look forward to getting under it this winter with skis on my feet.

As for high speed weapons, I've got the 6m Access, 4m Peak2, and some small NS3s (1.5 and 2.5m). I think that has my bases covered. I really look forward to the day when the 1.5m NS3 is the kite of choice!!! :karate:

carltb - 6-1-2016 at 03:55 PM

im so jealous. I need some snow or a holiday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Windstruck - 11-1-2016 at 09:53 AM

Got some ultra low wind snowkiting in yesterday near my house. I didn't measure it, but I'd say the winds were 1-8 mph. Footage shown here is at the high end of this wind range. The low end featured the kite sitting on the ground...

I first tried Session Saver (12m P2) but it wasn't enough kite for the conditions! So... pulled out the Big Lady (12.5m NS3) and she made it barely possible to get in some laps.

I'm calling this video "On Safari" due to my ventures through the tall grass! I know Nate in CO can appreciate.

I saw some kites in the air on my drive home and dove down a side road to check them out. Found a new spot! Bonus footage in back of this new site.

rectifier - 11-1-2016 at 12:38 PM

Bleah, we have plenty of wind here but it hasn't snowed in a month. Tried to go kiting today in the alfalfa fields (the only place with any snow) caught edges on icy crust, tripped on tall alfalfa regrowth, landed on my face a few times, went inside to mope :(

Congrats to you guys enjoying the snow though!