Bladerunner is right. That kite will get you going, I did lots of snowkiting with a 4 meter slingshot fixed bridle. But you really will need a depower kite at some point. I flew a 10M frenzy most of the time, but when the winds get above 20mph I drop down to a 6meter Access II, which is a great kite for higher winds. Very stable, low lift and goes back upwind like crazy. I also used my 11meter slingshot T2 on snow, which is a great kite, but I got tired of messing with pumping up that kite as well as dealing with a few other traits of inflateables. I like the simplicity and speed of setting up foils, but they do not offer 100% depower like modern LEI kites, nor are they quite as tolerable of gusty winds, something to thing about when chosing your next kite.

Bladerunner-I do not have anyone else to consistently snowkite with, but all I wanted was to be able to try it and get a feel for it. I am far too early on in this sport to decide whether I will end up getting into buggying, boarding, skiing, jumping, etc., so I want to sample a bit of everything before I buy another kite for any one of those activities. And who knows, maybe I'll end up doing all of them.
Kiteyakker-what is the advantage of a depower for snowkiting or just in general?

Once the snow hits the ground, and the lakes in upstate new york freeze over... I'll be making regular trips up there with some friends of mine. You are welcome to join us, if you like. But you will need your own gear, up to a certain extent.

Depower for snowkiting gives you a much larger range of wind you can ride in, it also allows you to fly one handed (with all the advantages that entails). I really like flying depower because it takes the strain off your arms and spreads it across your torso. I am sure some others can point out some other advantages of depower vs fixed-bridle, I'm drawing a blank...

As far as kites are concerned for these activities, I would recommend getting a depower, the real debate is whether you want a PL Arc, a closed-cell foil (HQ Neo or Flysurfer), or an LEI. Each have their advantages and disadvantages, but it really comes down to a matter of preference. I've seen all three used in all applications...

Out of curiousity ragden, what's the downside to an open-cell depower foil for snow kiting (since you didn't list them as an option)?

Wont cross over to water without sinking.

edit: To elaborate on that, there isnt really a disadvantage. I actually think the open-cell depower foils for snowkiting rock. They produce a lot of power and are really fun. However, since I saw Power posting about kitesurfing, I think he would be better off getting something he can use on water as well, since he is leaning in that direction.

In some ways, I wish I had purchased FS P4s last year, instead of my Outlaws. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my Outlaws, but if I had gotten P4s, I wouldnt have had to purchase another kite when it came time to learn how to kitesurf...

I see, yeah if he's going to want to go on water than staying out of the open-cell depower makes sense.

Yeah, thinking ahead can save you quite a bit of change.

I'm still planning to avoid water. I'd have to take off my glasses and then I wouldn't be able to see anything

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Originally posted by Maven454 I'm still planning to avoid water. I'd have to take off my glasses and then I wouldn't be able to see anything

I said the same thing a year ago. Though, not the glasses part. But I basically said I had no interest in getting on the water. I was pretty confident in that, enough to buy kites that wouldnt float. Then, last May, a buddy of mine convinced me to pick up a harness (I figured I could always use it for something else if I didnt go into the water full bore), and give it a shot. He rigged the kite, got it in the air, then held it while I got my feet into the board. Then he handed me the kite, and I took off... standing up on my first attempt. I was pretty much sold at that point...

Maven i kite on water with glasses, I wear a croakie and seems to keep them on.

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Originally posted by power Bladerunner-I do not have anyone else to consistently snowkite with, but all I wanted was to be able to try it and get a feel for it. I am far too early on in this sport to decide whether I will end up getting into buggying, boarding, skiing, jumping, etc., so I want to sample a bit of everything before I buy another kite for any one of those activities. And who knows, maybe I'll end up doing all of them.

You can and will have a lot of fun with that kite. Just be aware of it's limitations and you won't be disapointed !:wee: