3 weeks ago i had zero snow here in michigan. now there's enough to play in. a few days ago i used a 4.7 rage on 15m lines in a small school field. riding snowfeet, i made lots of runs that were mostly downwind due to all of the normal schoolyard stuff in the field. goalposts, slides, swings, etc.
ride down, walk/skate back the 100 usable yards, ride again.
even with the mesh inlet covering, enough snow got inside to make it a pain in the butt to dry out since i couldn't shake the snow back out of the inlets. yes, i used the dirt-outs.
i've switched the kite with a 5m hq toxic. 4.5 A/R instead of the 3.5 of the rage. open inlets will be easier to clear. might make it a little easier to dodge playground equipment.
WHY is this kite listed by the manufacturer as being a poor choice for snow use?
it's listed as a low lift kite. do they think that the side pull as opposed to something lifty like a blade is a BAD thing?
i see people riding big wings parked right off the ground and zooming along nicely, so the side pull factor really shouldn't be an issue.
if hq thinks along the lines of the kite being used to go up and down hills, while not being a lifty kite, that kinda makes sense. my riding is flat land fields.
i'm going to go try it in a few minutes and hope that 8mph wind is enough to get going.
any thoughts/opinions/experiences are, as usual, greatly appreciated.
tom

Technically all kites work with all disciplines. I remember back in the early 2000's it was common to see the Flexifoil crew jump on a twin tip and hit the water with a Blade IV. PKF's own Speleopower would also do the same. As long as your having fun use what ever works for you. I think HQ doesn't list it that way in their literature just because most people have come to use depower kites for snowkiting. The toxic works great in the snow though. I recall flying a set Chris brought to Kitestorm years ago when they were first introducing that kite. It flew really well. Very nice kite. You can definitely haul the mail with it when the wind is up.
Come to think of it. Does anyone know if Chris still works for HQ? Kitestorm stopped years ago and I haven't seen him at Wildwood in years. Hope he's doing well.

Quote: Originally posted by kteguru

Come to think of it. Does anyone know if Chris still works for HQ? Kitestorm stopped years ago and I haven't seen him at Wildwood in years. Hope he's doing well.

He might be busier on the business end of things. On the 2022 Toy Fair site, he is listed as VP at HQ Kites USA.

ATB,
Sam

Good to hear that Sam. Great to hear from you as well! I hope the little furry critters are keeping you in line
Cheers

Quote: Originally posted by indigo_wolf

He might be busier on the business end of things. On the 2022 Toy Fair site, he is listed as VP at HQ Kites USA. ATB, Sam

I just noticed your sig says you no longer live in MA. When'd you move?

I think that was about 10 years ago b-roc

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc

I just noticed your sig says you no longer live in MA. When'd you move?

Kteguru is correct.

Quote: Originally posted by kteguru

I think that was about 10 years ago b-roc

ATB,
Sam

Quote: Originally posted by kteguru

I think that was about 10 years ago b-roc

:dunno::dunno:

OK, so I was never one to get lost in the details :embarrased:

I'll chime in, because there are so few of us still my favorite forum:sniff:

I let my 4M toxic go a few years ago, because my experience with it, in our typical inland crap winds, was that it was just a little too "spirited" for traction activities. It just seemed to be too on/off power-wise. My guess is that that could be another reason it's categorized that way at HQ. I could see it being a blast in steady coast wind though.

decided to email hq directly and got this reply -


Tom,

It's the German way of thinking, I suppose. If it works for you, GREAT!

It's not that the kite won't work for snowkiting, but relative to the other options HQ had at the time, that was most likely the reason for the recommendation (or lack thereof).

Enjoy the snow.

Cheers!

Chris