I just started kiting this winter with a new Slingshot B4, and added the 3rd brake line to it as well. It's got some good pull for me when the wind goes above 10mph (I'm ~180 lbs) but I'm already looking for a bigger kite. I'm especially interested in grabbing a 4-line with handles, just to play with the added control. My B4 is too picky at the edge of the window, and I have to crank my bar extremely aggressively to get in solid turns when the kite needs it... to keep from crashing or flying too far out of the window.

So... Can anyone recommend a snow kite near 6-8m with good control and stability? I'm looking for a jump to something bigger, but nothing insane. I have the confidence and strength for something big, just not the experience with 4 line kites.

The kites that have peaked my interest are: ozone frenzy/access, Peter lynn twister2, flexifoil blade, and HQ neo/apex. I'm looking to just cruise around on Minnesota lakes, even in low winds, nothing crazy... Yet.

my only fixed bridle experience is with the twister II. The 7.7? would be a good low wind machine and in a little more be pretty lifty. As for a neo my 11m worked with my buggy on a hardpacked beach in about 6mph and would serve up into 18mph (read tons of power) with some experience. Both extremes take some finesse but if you are on a smooth slippy surface the Neo should power you in about 6mph I think. You should realize you are mixing fixed bridle kites with depower kites, but maybe you already know that. BTW Welcome to the forum

I understand the functional difference between fixed and depower, but have no idea of the pros/cons as far as flying over a frozen lake on either. I'm still browsing through theads on this forum and have a lot to learn.

I'm leaning towards a twister II 7.7 right now, just because the full package sells new for $450. But finding a used version of anything near $500 would be ideal.

I'm already thinking about building a buggy for burning man this summer and kiting around the desert flats. Need to get a full year of use out of my kite if I can.

For snowkiting, most folks use depower kites. Just bear that in mind. Not to say that nobody uses fixed bridles, its just not as common. It can be done...

I picked up a used 9.5 HQ Montana last fall for $500 and its been a blast out on the frozen lake. I'd go bigger but the our wind is rather crappy with very unpredicatable gusts.

While learning to put it all together, kite/skis/wind/skill, it is hard to beat a depower when it gets a bit hairy.

Zirb -

For Minnesota, you'll get more range out of a depower. I like flying my fixed bridle Brooza's on handles with a strop, and have put variable AOA on all of them so I can tune for wind conditions, but when the winds aren't consistent they are still a handful. But since I don't have big light wind depower foil, there are days I can get a decent ride working a 7.5m Brooza on handles where the 12m Xbow LEI won't stay in the air.

I've flown the Slingshot B4 and B5 on bar, and though they are OK as trainers. But yes they overfly, and turn poorly. Partly becasue they are on a really basic bar, and partly because I think they are not a very good canopy design.

krumly

I was out in the blizzard today at Lake Calhoun. Wind was super gusty, changing between 10-25 mph. My B4 was a pain in gusts. Pulling me with good speed for 10sec at a time, then dying at the ground, only to whip me on my belly and drag me through the snow til I got it under control again. Took me about an hour to get across the lake from falling, resting, and regaining momentum again. And I was spent by the other side from all the pulling to steer overshoots. When resting at zenith, a big gust could overshoot the kite and pull half my weight off the ground.

I can see how a depower would help a lot, especially when attached to a harness where all you pull on is steering, and give you a chance to rest the arms. And also control a big gust without having to bear it and take the ride.

I'm starting to conclude that the B4 is a poor performer for anything other than perfect sustained 5-10 mph winds. Tempted to just sell it and try something different. It just turns too slow, I need more control in gusty conditions.

But it was a lot of fun once I got my balance and flow and probably hit 15-20 mph on the snow. Excellent use of a snow day.

Yeah, the B4 isn't optimal for those conditions. But even a depower can be punchy in those conditions - just because it can be depowered in the gusts doesn't mean you don't have to be on top of controlling the bar. Arcs will do the best job of 'self tending' to gusts.

Calhoun and Harriet are far from ideal - right in the city, and winds are squirrelly. Head out to a lake bigger lake with more fetch. It'll be much more fun, no matter the kite

krumly

Zirb -

Check out this post for an Ozone Access 8m for $350 (complete) at LAKAWA. Not sure of the vintage or condition, but this might be a good step into depower for you.

http://www.lakawa.com/classifieds-f5/ozone-access-8m-350-t13...

krumly

Are you on a board or ski's? If you are boarding then I would not bother with handles because its a pain trying to ride toeside with them and you will eventually want to fly a depower set up which all use bars anyway.

I'm looking to upgrade from my fixed bridles for snow kiting. The Cult and the Venom are too big to haul around the backcountry.

Will be getting a 9m Ozone Frenzy. There isn't a better intermediate level depower kite on the market.

I got a Flysurfer 13m Pulse off these boards. Spent tonight sorting out the lines and figuring out the chicken loop. Hoping to try it out tomorrow after work before it gets dark. I plan on using my old climbing harness, seems to keep everything at a good length with a carabener. And I am on a board. Never managed to be anything but heel-side with my B4, but only because you can't control it with both arms from toe-side.

8-15 knot winds, should be perfect for the first run.

HQ apex ll 7.5m new on dealers shelves at 500 or less , the new version is out so the ll is now priced very nice.

Where actually have you seen an Apex II for $500 or less? I've looked and looked, there dont seem to be any as of the last part of January. I'd like to find one. Thanks