Alright I have purchased my ticket (cheaper than driving) and am heading to New York to hang with BEC and try my hand at snowkiting so here it goes- all comments appreciated:
1. I will be on a snowboard which i have done in the past and generally ride an atb anyways so any particulars specifically for being on the snow?
2. Recommended attire- i know layers but i generally dress light when telesking but expect to spend more time with my a$$ or my face in the snow so how much clothes/layers
3. How much snow is needed on the ice for the board to work on the lakes (if so lucky) otherwise can use skis
4. Any other tips.... points or ideas appreciated

Scott

ass pads ass pads ass pads ass pads.

I could repeat it a few more times if that helps.

It's going to be very much like the atb until you lock that edge and then you'll be more connected than you ever were on the ATB.

layers are good, all about venting on the jacket and pants

only need a bit of snow if it's actually set up and adhered to the ice, if it's powder on top of glare ice, it's much more difficult....


have FUN!

Let me know when you guys meet up .... I would love to join you for a session if not too busy at the moment ....

As erratic pointed ... ass pads will help you a bit every time kite power goes off .... look at my sponsor ( Demon ) web site .... they have whole bunch of those ... I use d3o shorts
You need Ice screw , ice picks
I was unable to hold edge with snowboard on ice .... so I bought switchblade ....( ice blade that attaches to snowboard ) .... normally every time there is gap in snow coverage I would flatten snowboard to ride it off and save my ass from getting another hard landing ....
I also purchase bindings with retractable back that help me getting in way easier then traditional bindings when you have kite in air ...

I have the GNU Backdoor XL's and love them for ease of entry. I also have the marc gagne snowkite pivot plates installed....

I currently have rear step in flow bindings but recently picked up an old pair of the rossignol sis clicker boots and bindings for $1.99..... yup two bucks at play it again sports and really interested in trying them out. i know they did not work well on the slopes because of slop between heel to toe but think using a kite where am really working more of the edge should be really sweet to just "step on it"
scott

Water proof pants/jacket or water proof shell for sure. Two pairs of gloves... a very light pair for set up and tear down, an insulated pair for riding. I also take a beanie of some sort for set up/tear down so I can wear my helmet only for riding.

Bring a patient mind-set. Enjoy the journey, however the riding turns out.

erratic .... tell me more about those plates .... are they worth the price ???

I have Flow and K2 .... and K2 is twice better .... way easier to lock and unlock .... I was looking at clicker boots and no one make those anymore ... that probably would be my choice ...

Kober- see post above- look around you might get lucky with some clickers especially the shimano ones can still find them on ebay

If you're on a snowboard and any surface that may be hard (thin snow on ice) KNEE PADS. It's so easy when you're learning to get yanked forward and guess what you land on? Your knees. Doesn't happen on skis, but it will on a board. Butt pad as others have mentioned!
Good luck and lean back to avoid the face plants

I tried out my clickers for the first time a few days ago and thought they worked pretty slick! Though, I don't really know any other way as I only boarded once, 16 years ago! The only thing I have to do is figure out a better way to release those puppies - trying to bend over to reach the release levers with the harness on and my gut looking me in the face, was next to impossible! :P

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Originally posted by pongnut trying to bend over to reach the release levers with the harness on and my gut looking me in the face, was next to impossible! :P

I thought the same thing today when I forgot my stick to release my ski bindings.

Releasing them is a bit difficult. I was thinking about making a leash and running it up my pant leg to connect to some velcro near my knee. I don't get to ride much though so I haven't done it.

Kober- Love them. Worth the price? I don't know. I won them at raffle at Dillon Snowkite Open. I am a very big fan of them, really lets me lay on the edge when headed in either direction.


KNEEPADS YES! I don't like getting walloped, so I wear my motorcycle jacket as a layer too.

I had the Device/Ride step ins and they worked fine, but boot was uncomfortable. Step-in bindings aren't bad when you are new, it allows you to focus more on keeping the kite up rather than getting in the bindings.

Let me know when you guys will be getting together , we could have a mini festival.

@snow- I will be heading up there on the 18th and heading home the 21st- we are planning on kiting friday, saturday, and sunday. I land on friday @ 9:30 so should be ready to hit it by noon I hope.

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Originally posted by flyguy0101 I land on friday @ 9:30 so should be ready to hit it by noon I hope.

If you get ready like you do in WW... then we might make it out for one run in the field/lake before dinner time!

Sat. the 19 looks good , hope for wind and snow, some bays are freezing up now. Maybe you will get to experience a good lake effect snow squall , it's wild stuff.