Alright i'm tired of reading about all the fun you guys are having in the snow (Hater Alert) Naah i'm not hatin, but i wanna get in on the fun....:wee:
i've got the kites, just got me a harness, so i need to put something under my feet.
i'm 6' 205lbs. anybody got anything that would be appropriate size for me they wanna sell cheap!!

also any advice on what to look for if i take this search to craigslist...?

If its just for a blast around you could rent from a Ski/boardshop? You dont have to tell them you are gonna ride off piste hooked up to a big kite...

I'm just getting into snow sports myself and I'm finding that if you are willing to buy older models - particularly in boards then you can save loads. found the 2008 model of the board I want (only the design/colour is different) for less than half the price of the 2010 version. Its still new and unused and i dont care about the colour

Hi cheezy, have you ever done either? Because I was in the same boat 3 winters ago when I first saw a snowkiting event on the Tug Hill. I had seen some stunt kites before, but never big power kites, and I was intrigued, but having never done any downhill skiing, or snowboarding, I had to choose one or the other. I went with snowboarding, due to a fractured hip at age 12, don't like what happens when the old legs get too far apart, as can happen on skis, not so often on a snowboard(at least if it does, you're gonna have other problems as well). And I took lessons! 2 beginner lessons, and 1 intermediate so far, I'm hoping to get some free ones soon, if there is no wind some weekend(hint hint) I've had one downhill session so far this year(pointed out to me how out of shape I really am)I tend to be a little over cautious, so my progress is kind of slow, but steady. I guess my point is, figure out what you want to try, and get to a ski center and take a "first lesson" it often comes with equip. rental, (you'll find out there what is right fit for you) and usually has an attractive price, you know, to get you hooked...Have fun, be safe, expect to fall down, and be shown up by some youngster!

Hit the recycle/secondhand stores ... there's board and bindings and skis and bindings here for like $50. Damn, I think I might grab those skis now I think about it - damn you

Def.when you're ready to buy, do what Kami said. Some of these kids do care what color their board is and trade up yearly. Good deals to be had on the cheap. Also,if you want new, wait 'til the end of season sales, late mar./april.

good plan. I forget that civilised places have secondhand stores where you can get cool stuff.

I on the edge of nowhere and have to do all my shopping online.

Still, I get more windy days than most people so i can't complain.

Would also echo the advice about getting some lessons. Even just one will get you off to a good start and save a lot of time and energy.

thanks to all... definitely plan on lessons, i just figured i could beat the constant rental fees if i had my own gear


@bobalooie57- i really think i would prefer a board but the general consensus is that learning on skis is easier, so i will take whatever deal i can find... aesthetics mean nothing i will take any beat up any color whatever so long as its cheap.

I have a set of 195 Rossignol ski's and boots size 11... and will gladly trade you for that 10m Venom :eureka:

ive got a 165 Salomon snowboard , about 5 years old. boots bindings. perfect size for your height/weight. im 5'9 175 and is a little big for me. but very fast

which i will also gladly trade for your venom
:roll:

Hey Cheezy, I am an avid skier and I am also going to give it a go at! I am actually going to try my "ski boards" They are a lot smaller than regular skis and I figure that they will work better for me being they are smaller and easier to maneuver. They are shaped like a snow board, but much smaller. Round tips on both ends and speed is slower than regular skis. I love them when I go skiing, I can go some places that I wouldn't be able to go with my regular skis. You still would need ski boots, but I picked up my ski boards in real good shape for like $35.

You have come a long way since WW it appears! Good luck in your venture. We are getting a couple of inches of snow tomorrow, it might be the right time for me!

Hey guys take it easy, i havent even flown that Venom yet...!!! :singing:

Quote:

Originally posted by shehatesmyhobbies You have come a long way since WW it appears! Good luck in your venture. We are getting a couple of inches of snow tomorrow, it might be the right time for me!

Don't let my quiver fool you, it's is by no means an accurate indicator of skill set...
but i'm learning....:roll:

where did you find your ski-boards...?

What size boots do you wear?

ATB,
Sam

Quote:

Originally posted by indigo_wolf What size boots do you wear? ATB, Sam

11ish...

Hmmm.... someone local was giving away (free) a several pairs of straight edge downhill skis (some with boots). I could always inquire for you, if you would like. Then it would just be a matter of getting them to Pough-ville.

ATB,
Sam

There is such a jungle of skis and boards out there it isn't even funny. I am a dedicated backcountry skier and I am just getting into kiting. I would recommend buying something you might actually ride when you aren't kiting. If you go with skis, get something 90 mm at the waist or more, fairly stiff, and I would definitely recommend some AT bindings so you can tour for turns if you want (not with a kite, obviously). A setup like this would probably cost 300+, so if you just want to dink around you could buy a random setup at the thrift store, their performace may suck though.

Quote:

Originally posted by hiplainsdrifter get something 90 mm at the waist or more

what does this mean...? :puzzled:

It means you need to go on a diet?? Just kidding.

that's the measurement across the ski at the middle, the tip and the end are fatter, it's narrower at the middle, hence "waist"

thanks Furb...

i have checked out craigslist and there are a lot of boards in the $100 or less range. some burtons and salomon and a sweet palmer. but what size would i need...? i see 154cm, 165 cm etc...? :dunno:

haven't looked at the skis yet...

I might be wrong but I believe large board = riding in less wind since your weight is spread over a larger area. Problem with larger boards are they can be tough to turn on a mountain. Since your probably only going to use it for snowkiting that's not a problem. You will only be riding on your heal edge. Now you just have to get used to riding regular and switch/goofy. I ride a 157cm board Gnu twintip (important for snowkiting) and I weight 220lbs I use the board for both downhill and snowkiting.

any thoughts on this one...

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/spo/1542487066.html

Marc, I'd go for it! For $65.00 for board n bindings=great deal! spend another 100 for excellent boots and you're set. I mean, how often do you think you'll get out? I went new at an end of season sale and still managed to spend $500 (got around 900 worth of gear though), but I walked in like a newb and said I have x to spend and want the best I can get for it, and they made sure there wasn't much change. If you only spend 65 for your board, you won't mind if you hit a rock. (so much..)edit:160cm should work for you IMHO, I ride a 156, n I wish it were a little bigger at times.

an old buck like you ,go with skis,when the kite comes down point the skis down wind.

Quote:

Originally posted by doublespeed360 an old buck like you ,go with skis,when the kite comes down point the skis down wind.

if indeed I did, how would I avoid a superman like I got in my buggy...? Lean back...?

Quote:

Originally posted by cheezycheese Quote: Originally posted by doublespeed360 an old buck like you ,go with skis,when the kite comes down point the skis down wind. if indeed I did, how would I avoid a superman like I got in my buggy...? Lean back...?

Sort of. More like point the skis downwind a bit, and crouch down / lean back but then turn the skis back against the kite so you resume your cross wind tack. You can haul a$$ with skis but you can also hold down a ton of power because you can edge hard against the kite.

You can kill the power of the kite quite a bit by riding right towards it and sending the kite up as the skis have less resistance than the buggy. You won't superman unless your skis are perpendicular to the kite and you set a hard edge (to stop or launch the kite) and the kite pops you on your face.

Cheezy I got my first set of ski boards at a rental shop that sold used skis, I just bought a second set for RDAVIS, from a guy at work. Got them for 35 $, only used once!

I was hoping that you were getting some good fly time with that quiver list. Nice list of kites! Keep on going at it my friend.

May the wind be with you!

well no response on the board, but one of our brethren is doing his best to secure me a pair of ski's as we speak...
gotta love this place...:roll::roll::roll:

Hey I just upgraded my boots and bindings (snowboard) I'm taking them out this weekend, assuming I like the new ones, you can have the old ones for the bargain price of free ninety nine.

The (old) bindings are K2 clicker high-backs with matching boots, very quick in and out. They are size 12, but I usually wear 11.5 and they are comfy on me. If you don't like them, no harm done....no money spent.

I should be at Tug Hill next weekend and I'll throw them in, all you need is a board....something like this perhaps? (not affiliated)

http://albany.craigslist.org/spo/1539080021.html

Hey bigben, looking forward to seeing you on the Tug! Do the clicker bindings work for you? I met someone last year w/clickers, it seemed much less hassel getting into his board. I'd be interested in them if cheezy isn't. I wear sz 12 also.