So I'm just getting back into kiting after several years off. I was busy with school, and it seemed like every time I managed to get out the conditions weren't great and I had a crappy session, so I kind of gave up for a while.

Part of my problem is my kite quiver- Blade 3 4.9 and flysurfer pulse 13m. The blade is a legendary kite, but for snowkiting I'd rather go depower. And the pulse is a little big for a lot of the good winds we get. I'm really thinking of getting an 8m unity to increase my wind range.

My other problem is my ski quiver. I learned on some old 180cm straight skis, and I've since acquired some 165cm park skis (Dynastar Nothing But Trouble, 112-78-102mm). Either are fine in firmer snow, but they really sink in the powder. In the fields around here we often get a fair bit of powder with a bit of a crust on top. They can be really patchy, too. Combinations of not-too-deep loose powder, and then these deep sections with the wind hardened crust. On my 165's I just sink right in. I have to sit back so far just to avoid a nose dive, and then I have to be pretty over powered to get pulled through the snow. Been a while since I've been on the 180's, but they are so narrow and I'm pretty sure they have the same problem.

So do I get some powder skis, or go for a board? Do people on boards actually get out and enjoy the snow conditions I just described? Will some big fat skis make a big difference? I'm on quite a budget. I'll certainly be buying any new skis or board used.

I've only snowboarded downhill one day. I've skied a fair bit (for a prarie boy) and I have no problems controlling either pair of skis while kiting. I don't care if my turns have to be pretty large. 5' 11" and 170 lbs.

Sorry that was so long. I just figured there was a lot of background info needed.

Thanks a lot for any advice.

Alex

Yeah this is the typical in good ole Saskatchewan I think. On the snowboard I get a good workout with the constant sink and crash situations I fight to avoid. Best I can say is give a snowboard a go if you can get one for a day. Good winds are always on the working days it seems out here as well. Gusting from 18km to 40km or 30-50 is always to common on days I'm available to kite. I've used my 12m and 6m the most. 9m just seems to cross into too big gusts on those days. Where you located BTW?? Maybe we could organize a session somewhere in the New Year.

Fat skis works wonders. If you get something with some tip rocker it makes things MUCH easier in the rough/deep.


The most versitile ski I ride is a Rossignol Phantom 108 in a 186cm length. I rockered my own tip but they produce it with rocker now. It's got a 21m turn radius, GS ski construction and is 108mm under foot. Works on deep snow, pucnches through crud, slush, crust and powder but still holds an edge on hard surfaces as well.

Skims on water like a dream.

Tough as nails. Designed to be a big mountain ski. As a ski it's okay but for snowkite it's awesome.

Thanks for the replys, guys.

Shaggs- I'll probably try out my buddy's board soon, but I'm decided to get some powder skis anyway (see below). I'm teaching him to kite. I'm in Regina, so a fair ways from Lloyd, but let me know if you ever want to get together. I'm going to try to meet up with the other locals this year. We have quite a few in Regina.

Feyd- I decided to pick up some fat skis. Found some used Fischer Prohete's (135-106-123) for $200 with bindings. That's a price tag I can live with. I can't find much on them. I don't know if they have any rocker, but if I start diving in the powder I might consider trying to add some. Now I just need to decide whether to go with the 170's or 180's. Again, 170lbs, not a technically great skier, no problems kiting with the straight 180's.

Alex

Ok, I'll bite...how would one go about adding rocker to a ski?

When you get all situated you may want to mount the bindings a little farther back than a normal downhill setting. It made a big difference on my sled when I was trying to deal with deep lake effect snow off of Lake Ontario on Tug Hill NY. Holding a long straight line against the pull of a kite on a variable surface is a whole different program than zigzaging down a groomed ski trail.

Saskalex I think you found a good choice. That's the current version of the Big Stix and I think it's basically the same ski. It's got a similar construction to the Phantom and is designed to do essentially the same thing but lighter and softer flex, especially in the shovel which won't be an issue if you aren't on boiler plate or crust but even there I bet that ski will do okay.

I'm not sure if that ski is rockered or not?

In regards to adding rocker it is a very delicate and time consuming thing to do correctly. For years I spent hours taking "rocker" (bends) out of GS and Super G skis. Adding rocker works the same way. First you have to gradually heat the ski to the point where the epoxies used in it's construction become pliable. Next, you have to make a bending jig to the amount of bend you want to add or remove from the ski. the jig has to be smooth and without hard edges otherwise you will cause a stress riser and actuall break the ski. Once the core is broken the ski is trashed.

Anyway, get the ski up to temp, SLOWLY bend the ski to the desired position and allow it to cool. Once the epoxy has set up you are good to go.

Skis with metal in them and a wood core work best. Foam cores, not so much. :embarrased:

If you put you bases together and squeeze and look at the shovels you will be able to see if your skis have rocker. There will be a slight bend after the contact point on the shovel.