So I gave in to buying a Prism Tensor 5 M Kite without even knowing what I have thrown myself into. After reading some reviews, it seemed like the right choice to make at such an affordable price, because that's about all I can afford at the moment. I couldn't find any snowkiting reviews about it except for the Manufacturer's specifications that it can be used on snow, so here I am asking you guys.. I know...should've asked first on here and then decide whether or not I want to buy it, but too late..Maybe I'm a little Dyslexic or something :o... I just ordered it and haven't received it or tried it out yet. Has anyone tried this begginer's kite on snow with a snowboard? Please tell me I didn't make a bad choice. Thx

Is it a concern to use this kite with a harness if it isn't a depower kite?
Here are the safety features of it from the manufacturer:
"The multiple safety systems mean you can kill all power on the kite instantly just by letting go of the bar or handles. In a real emergency, the control bar quick-release lets you jettison kite and bar altogether."
?

queue the chorus: what's your weight and how are your winds? Where are you?

I'm quite light <150 lbs <69 Kg and went with a 4m FB to start. It took about three months to learn to stay upwind on inline skates. It took about one gusty session to learn that I really had to respect the wind. hooking into a Fixed bridal (FB) can be an invitation to a nice spanking. From Amazon: "Be careful if you’re just getting started - the 5.0 can develop dangerous pull if the wind picks up suddenly." Get to know your safety systems before you hook in, wear a helmet.

Will you be using the bar or handles?
Do yo have kite killers?

Snow is the easiest medium to learn on, so you got that going for you, which is nice.

There are so many threads about building your kite flying skills and getting started on a board. here is a good youtube channel to search for tutorials:https://www.youtube.com/user/carltb.

coastalwindsports.com is another good intro source

good luck and welcome, dude

Welcome...fact is its gonna be the first kite at your door so time to fly it
Next kite you get to think about a little more...watch every tutorial you can
Start in lighter winds..clean ones if you can..like <10 mph and go from there
Lay off the harness for a good while and learn the kite and build experience
IMO...pick up a 3m if you can, everyone should have a 3
Helmet, have fun!

I agree with Abkayak, learn without a harness first. The Tensor is a great beginner kite because it is super stable and has a great safety system. Just let go of the bar and it kills the kite. Other kites will have a little better performance but for beginning a lower aspect ratio kite that is easy to fly and very stable is perfect.

The Tensor will fly just fine without a harness and once you get more comfortable with it you can then purchase a harness and hook into it to save some of the pull on your arms.

Start in lighter winds at first to get use to the kite, then move up in wind speeds as your experience and skills improve.

Suds after thudsqueue the chorus: what's your weight and how are your winds? Where are you?I'm quite light <150 lbs <69 Kg and went with a 4m FB to start. It took about three months to learn to stay upwind on inline skates. It took about one gusty session to learn that I really had to respect the wind. hooking into a Fixed bridal (FB) can be an invitation to a nice spanking. From Amazon: "Be careful if you’re just getting started - the 5.0 can develop dangerous pull if the wind picks up suddenly." Get to know your safety systems before you hook in, wear a helmet.Will you be using the bar or handles?Do yo have kite killers?
Thanks for the info Suds. I'm 6'0 and weight 192 lbs, I live in Colorado next to a lake called lake Dillon up in the mountains near the ski stations. We have year round descent wind conditions on that lake, anywhere from 5knots to 25 knots. I'll be using the bar and am not sure if the kite I'm receiving comes with kite killers.
I do have some past trainer kite flying training but no experience getting pulled on one yet. The package I bought also comes with a 1.3M training kite, so I'll start with that one to refresh my flying moves then the 5m.

Thanks for the advice abkayak and awindofchange, those are good news, glad I bought one that seems ok for a begginer.

You may be glad you got the 1.3m . 5m is a pretty big kite and at least you will have something to fly in strong winds. Fixed bridle kites deliver more power than depower.

I don't have hands on experience with the Tensor but personally like flying fixed bridle on handles. The bar set up will leave you flying a 2 line kite with safety + reverse launch. Going to handles will give you 4 line brake control and you will be able to get the most out of the kite. The bar ( over ) simplifies things so give it a go that way at 1st. Just do yourself a favour and try it in handle mode once you have mastered it on a bar.

We all have more than 1 kite for a reason. Be sure and accept that the wind may be too strong and too light in 5 - 25. If you can't afford another kite consider getting a short set of lines + extensions for the ones you will have.

Like the others suggest, a harness is nice but hooking in to a fixed bridle is best avoided at 1st. Helmets are good!

@ Bladerunner is a 1.3M big enough to ride on snow with sayy...20-25 MPH wind?

I'll chime in...

No.
1.3m is too small @ 20-25mph and your weight in snow. Not strong enough.

Keep in mind snow has a lot of resistance.

A kite that is plenty in a buggy or board may be much too little pull in snow.

Just for contrast..... a 1.3m in 20-25 with you on ice skates, on smooth black mirror ice may be enough for a slower leisurely cruise, though.

Again, the resistance of snow, versus ice, versus wheels, is quite different.

NOTE: Not all kites of same size in meters have same power.
Understand this, and learn what low aspect, moderate aspect and high aspect fixed bridal kites are when choosing a kite....amongst other factors .

Actually at this point, best to ask questions( still read some tutorials and learn what you can),before making any purchase.

A 2 or 3m is recommended size for learning static for the kiter that wants to get into traction riding of and mode. These can be practical also as they can become your high wind kites.

Most on here have 2 and 3m kites for high winds.....and many sizes...and many aspects...for covering a full range of winds.

Handles give better control than a bar also. Your 5m Tensor allows conversion and you should try to learn on handles.

What kind of 1.3m kite is it? How many lines?

Going from a 1.3m to a 5m is a huge jump, and not a recommended course of action.

You bought this 5m kite new-as the word 'ordered' implies?

Skim' is right. Odds are that the 1.3m kite you are getting will be a 2 line and designed more for entertainment than use as an engine. It will probably be bridled to create minimal power? As mentioned kites of the same size can produce very different power depending on their shape and how they are bridled. Chances are you will be able to get moving with the 1.3 in 25mph winds if the snow is hard and fast but don't expect much.

What I was suggesting is that you will find your 5m too big for much of the winds you will have. Having a smaller kite to fly ( and try to ride? ) will allow you to change up and not have to go home.

5m is a pretty big kite for learning in fixed bridle. I didn't go into that since you said you have some trainer kite experience. One of the biggest mistake you are likely to make is to be tempted to fly it in too strong of winds. Once the wind is so strong you feel like you are defending yourself from the kite rather than controlling it go to the 1.3. The odds of injuring yourself at that point are much greater than actually learning to pilot a kite. It's ALL about kite control.

It's called the HQ Symphony Beach II 1.3M Foil Kite, 2 lines, it's included in the package to learn how to maneuver a kite before getting pulled by one, so yeah I think it's more of an entertainment kite more than anything. I did buy this package brand new.
So I keep hearing that 5 M might be a little too big to start on, don't you guys think that I'll be ok to start with that one if I don't take it out on more than 10 MPH winds? I'll definitely try to get a 3M kite as soon as possible... Thanks for all your replies, I appreciate your help and knowledge.

You'll be fine in 10ish winds with it. A 3 meter just gives you more opportunities to fly and learn since it can be flown in a wider range. Don't try the 5 meter in anything less than 8ish mph because it's easier to learn with at least a little bit of wind. Your target winds for the 5 should be between 8-12 for static learning and don't be afraid to let go if overpowered

Low wind / underpowered, the tensor has a lot more upwind issues (in my experience) than other kites I've had, but it'll definitely be able to pull you on skis/board for a bit. The nice part will be even if slow, it'll give you a good feel for getting moving. I had mine out earlier this year in 3-5" of crusty snow on top of a frozen lake, and 15mph winds with 20-25mph gusts, and weight around 220lbs. Wasn't enough to cruise fast, but a nice slow ride. Though mine was more about fun at the end of the day, after I didn't feel like swapping to a smaller LEI for only an hour of light left.

I have the 5m Tensor. I have only ever buggied with it. I have not taken mine on the snow. If you have never flown a real power kite before, you are in for a surprise. Since you are probably going to be using the bar with it, imagine the kind of pull you get while water skiing behind a boat, but you are also steering the boat. It should be fine. I can't think of a reason you wouldn't be able to use it on the snow. Since you are a beginner, the low aspect of that kite is good. It has decent grunt to just park and ride in the right winds without having to babysit much at all.

If snowkiting is your #1 focus you may want to hold off on buying a 3m FB foil?

Depower kites are far better suited to snowkiting.

You sound like you will respect the 5m. It will get you through the learning curve if you put it away when it starts to own you. Take it out and get a feel for it. Then you can decide if you want to buy a depower or FB to handle lower or higher winds.

One of the biggest mistakes I made in this sport was rushing out and buying all sorts of kites before I knew what I was really after. Take a bit of time to come to terms with the package you have bought and think a bit about what will suit you and your location. 3m FB is the tried and true way to go for learning but if snowkiting is your thing you may want to go for a high wind depower kite now?

My goal is (if I survive kiting on snow) to transition to kiteboarding on water this summer. So my next question is can I use a kiteboarding kite on snow as well as water or is it better to have two different kinds of kites, one for snow and one for water? I know the water ones have an air chamber, do you think that would pop on snow/ice?

Have you tried the tensor yet?

Also, the short answer is yes, you can use a leading edge inflatable kite for any form of kiting. I only buggy so someone else will have to chime in on pros and cons.

Edit: someone experienced probably wouldn't damage their lei on snow or ice but if your new the likelihood wood be higher and launch land would be trickier than with a traditional depower foil.

Any kite will have a chance of blowing out if it's rammed into the ground.. A closed baffle (aka Water kite) even more so.

@ssayre I haven't tried the Kite yet, I'm out of town for another two weeks but it'll be waiting for me in its new package when I return. Really am looking forward to it and will definitely give an update of how my first day went.

YES, the majority of people who water kite in summer and snowkite in winter use the same LEI kites for both. You just tend to go down a size for snow. Being as one with your kite is key in this sport so switching up from summer to winter isn't needed unless you plan to backcountry ski.

If water is your goal then you definitely want to think about putting your money to water lessons and then 2 or 3 LEI.
Winter is over here on the West Coast . You won't have a ton of winter left to come to terms with the Tensor. I suggest you hold off on a second kite unless the Tensor is just too much for your typical winds. If so, Buy a 3m quality foil and sell the Tensor if you need the money for LESSONS or an LEI. Book some lessons as early as you can in spring so you have the rest of the season to learn the ropes. Lessons are worth every penny! They boost you from zero to hero in days and teach you things you will never know on your own. By next winter you won't have to worry about crashing your kite. + snowkiting will seem EASY !