Power Kite Forum

When is it too cold to "comfortably" go snowkiting?

loopfxr - 26-1-2018 at 09:49 PM

I'm not talking expedition drudgery...just an enjoyable afternoon outing. Do you guys have limits?

adambweird - 27-1-2018 at 05:04 AM

I need enough snow to get my board out first, lol

B-Roc - 27-1-2018 at 07:13 AM

The older I get the warmer the temps and smoother the winds I require. 10 years ago I'd go out any day in any condition. Now I make more excuses than I make time to go out. :(

Cheddarhead - 27-1-2018 at 08:01 PM

I don't care for anything in the minus Fahrenheit category but will still go out. -5 without wind chill was my coldest this winter so far. Covered head to toe with full face Moto helmet. I was fine except for the tip of my nose and bits of my cheeks. Those got a touch of frost bite. My preferred temp range is 20 to 30f. Prevents me from overheating yet keeps the surface from melting.

Feyd - 28-1-2018 at 07:30 AM

New Year's eve I flew from 2017-18. Beautiful moonlit night, -27F without the windchill. Winds were a punchy 15kts, and I was happy as a clam. I rode to about 1:30 am.

As long as I don't have exposed skin cold isn't an issue. Like Cheddar said, a full face goes a long way toward keeping me cozy. That and a balaclava.

I'm not sure how cold would be too cold for me personally. I'm generally not prone to being cold and a little extra layering goes a long way for me.

The worst part about riding in sub-zero conditions for me is trying to get my boots off after a session. I wear a 130 flex (stiff but not super stiff) boot with a race fit. In those temps, I'm pretty much trapped in it until I can get the shell warmed up. I'm adept at driving with them on but if I need to go inside a building, I have to warm them for about 20 minutes to get them to soften to the point I can open the cuff and take them off.

loopfxr - 13-2-2018 at 03:19 PM

Thanks guys. Good info!