Well grand forks just got hit with a week of 30-36 degree days. What used to be 2 ft of snow everywhere is not 5 inches of slush. All of the club is walking around with their heads sagging because we weren't even expecting the end yet.

Overall it was a warmer year here i think, but lots of snow too.

I'm not really that depressed, I'm looking forward to the landboard and warm days. We are planning a spring BBQ at the field

...and ours just started. Frontal westerlies are giving way to more easterlies and the sea breezes are starting to appear in the afternoon, yielding on-shore park-and-rides.

so goes the circle of the seasons.

Don't give up yet Matt. We could easily get a good old spring snowstorm! I'm hoping to get out on L.O.W at least one more time, although I might have to wear a rainsuit so i don't get drenched when i go ripping though the puddles.

I feel your pain. Snowkiting was pitiful in New England this year. Lots of snow and no ice in December. Lots of ice and no snow in Janauary. No snow and no safe ice by mid February. It was a short and crappy season. Looking forward to returning to the beach with my landboard.

I will probably run snow tires for a few more weeks, as Jack Frost always likes to give us a final swat to let us know that he will be back next year.

However, the days are getting longer and the fields are drying out nicely. Of course, I am still convinced that there is conspiracy that produces the best winds during the work week. On constant alert for black helicopters too.

ATB,
Sam

Sure, those notorious March snowstorms. :wee:

Once we lose the snow around town here we head to the lake. The snow stays on the ice longer there. Once the snow is lost on the ice the warmer temps soften the ice enough so you can edge well even on a snowboard. It eventually turns to candle ice that allows even better edging. The ice is smooth and fast and feels like butter. Fun warm sunny days on the ice. We can get up to another month on the ice while waiting for the ground to dry or for open water here.

wow you northern guys are a bit loopy minded, i dig it

Every year, we usually have an informal gathering of kiters effectionally clalled Slush Fest at the lake last weekend of March. There is often water sitting on the ice and bellow what is left of the snow near shore. Usually, nice sunny warm days with no wind down low and tons of wind up high and guys boosting big, doing speed runs and guys shooting a big rooster tail running through the water puddles. It's a blast!! This water on the ice is what creates the candle ice after the ice absorbs the water later.

Quote:

Originally posted by zero gee It eventually turns to candle ice that allows even better edging. The ice is smooth and fast and feels like butter. Fun warm sunny days on the ice.

I love those conditions but sadly its been about 4 years since we've had a gentle thawing. Past 2-3 years have been rapid thaws, and 2 of the past 4 have seen the ice disappear in Feb (unless one wants to drive a few hours more North).

YUP,
The highway was closed for the Olympics and now Green Lake is done. Nothing but muddy fields and dreams of NABX for us here ! :dunno:

We're in the middle of spring's "a bunch of days warm, a bunch of days cold" cycle ... raining and cold here today although I got a ride on Monday it was 6'C ...!

Ahhh just got the bad news as well today, was planning on having a great weekend of snowkiting but now it appears that rain will end my season. I guess I'll have to break out the landboard before the water warms up.

Quote:

Originally posted by indigo_wolf I will probably run snow tires for a few more weeks, as Jack Frost always likes to give us a final swat to let us know that he will be back next year. However, the days are getting longer and the fields are drying out nicely. Of course, I am still convinced that there is conspiracy that produces the best winds during the work week. On constant alert for black helicopters too. ATB, Sam

Too bad the helicopters are probably on whisper mode and I bet they have cloaking technology by now to. :P

I am sure they have been around. Had one snow storm here but only the ski resorts seem to have snow. Should of had snow an hour away but nothing. Bring on the spring winds, I am ready.

The snow is pretty much gone for good here but its now atb season :P

we might be heading out tomorrow for a slush, heavy, soft snow/water session haha. I'll be wearing my drysuit

Snowing hard in Western South Dakota. Our season was prolonged by a few weeks! Friday and Sat should be great here. To windy today for me to have fun.

Dan

Matt, you should get a few of the boys together and head over to LOW for a session similar to what zero gee has on Lake Winnipeg. Its blowing enuf today, i shoulda brought my gear to work. I'll be kiting on the "candle ice " for a while yet.

Rain inbound for Friday, followed by 4-5 days of rain & rain turning to sleet. Bloody hell

Should have just blown off today, except we have a vendor meeting late in the day.

Need to start slotting some weekend hours so I can take some days off mid-week.

ATB,
Sam

Snow is long gone around here, the ice is still good and thick. It was tropical snowkiting this past weekend. Temperatures +10C (50F) during the day, overnight it is still below freezing so the ice will be good for a few more weeks. It is 2 and a half feet thick. Here is a little clip from the start of Sunday's session. Winds were up and down... started the day with the Cooper then went to an Ozone Access 6.0, then to U-Turn Nitro II 4.9. If it wasn't for the drifts it would have been possible to really let 'er rip. Top speed 70km/hr, not bad for the slushy conditions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN3_LU9fjEk

In south dakota the icefishermen are reporting ice that is still 20cm thick. I'm sure in North Dakota you'll find some good ice conditions without having to travel too far.

Quote:

Originally posted by kiteyakker Don't give up yet Matt. We could easily get a good old spring snowstorm! I'm hoping to get out on L.O.W at least one more time, although I might have to wear a rainsuit so i don't get drenched when i go ripping though the puddles.

I wish i could come up, we had an absolute blast that day. We voted that session as the best of this season. Unfortunately i leave tomorrow for spring break and I have a bad feeling that EVERYTHING will be gone when i get back.

O well. Another amazing season in the bag



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Prairie wind are you in SD I am in Rapid.

I'm in canada, I couldn't remember which dakota flyboy was from - I did a quick scan of ice conditions on www.iceshanty.com - that is where I got the ice thickness info.

Plenty of ice up here yet, plus a bit of slushy snow. We have wind today, i'll be kiting in 50° weather this afternoon. :wee:

Still riding here as well. Supposed to be in the 60's tomorrow with sun. Better wear the sunblock or I'll get fried.

We hope to make it to April 1st. Usually we get to mid or late April but not this screwy winter.

We'll be in PFD's the last week for sure.

feyd were are you riding tomorrow?

DS360 are you looking to head out? Winds look light at Nahant but the weather looks great.

going to hampton beach for a kite fest up there, st. pats day kite fly bin going for years . plus check out the fire they had a while.low tide in the morn.

Well our ice season has finally finished here...:wow:
Winnipeg Beach Ice Ridges Photos

Only 10 days until Hatteras:wee:

Our season is done. Now that the ice is done we were hoping to move to higher elevations but the weather just isn't cooperating.

84 degrees the day before yesterday. Yesterday was pouring rain and now it's blowing 18mph and snowing.

I can't complain. We got a hell of a lot more riding in last month than we thought we were going to.

Guess I better learn to ride water!