I am looking for suggestions on what to look for in a snowboard that is comfortable for use with a kite. I ride an ATB on the beach with a kite, and have tried snowkiting once, though didn't have a whole lot of wind. I am a novice at snowboarding in general. This year I'd like to buy a board, as I had been renting them. Someone suggested a radial sidecut, though I can't say I really understand the reason. I also noticed that some boards are noted to be directional - what does this really mean and how would not having a directional board affect trying to ride downhill? Would having a directional board hamper riding with a kite?

Ideally, I'd like something optimized to kiting, but something I can also reasonably ride on the slopes when there is no wind. I looked at Best's board, but I am not sure how it would handle on a hill.

Any advice/experience welcome. Thanks.

I don't board but I ski with those who do. I'm not overly familiar with snowboards but I do know that there are a couple types of bindings. One of the guys I ride with has ratchet type bindings that fit over softer boots that are better for walking with. The other type is more of a fixed binding that you step in to (more like a ski binding) - but I think the boot is more stiff and less good for walking.

The guy with the ratchet bindings is upgrading this year because he says they are a pain for getting on and adjusted when setting up the kite. the step in and go seem to be the preferred binding for kite setup up and board attachment. Its not fun to be monkeying around with a kite in strong winds and trying to get your gear on your feet when standing on slippery ice or deep snow.

Simple is always best.

Last year was my first snowkiting season and I had the same question you had. Some people said I might damage a board a lot so I just grabbed a cheap one on ebay. Worked just fine. It is directional but it's just slightly off center and I didn't even notice when I rode.

For binding on the other hand, I did a lot of research and narrowed down to two, K2 Cinch and Flow. Both were recommended by fellow snowkiters due to easy access. I checked them out in person and decided to go with K2 Cinch. Can't be happier with my decision. I even used them for down heel snowboarding and it worked better than any other bindings I tried.

Hope this helps.

Thanks to both of you, I was planning on Flow bindings, as last year's experience with so called step-in bindings was a nightmare - the ice and snow clogged the holes in the boots and prevented the clips from engaging - leading to lots of cursing. Definitely, definitely will get Flows. Any ideas the difference a square versus radial edge is supposed to make?

I went through this too.

I had many years ski experience, and only once snowboarding.

So last year I wanted to snowboard on kite but not using it on the hill.

I bought a beginner snowboard, flow bindings and boots for 200$ brand new from a bankrupt clearout. So it was not investing too much on equipement I was not sure.

I chose a board that has a low sidecut. You dont want a big carving radius when kiting. The board is not perfectly twin-tip, but just enough so I can go both ways. The rear is a bit shorter than the front.

The board is softer, so less reactive, but I didn't pay much $$$ for it. And it does the job.

Now for the bindings, you can have step-in binding. these are rare, cost much and can potentially break easier than regular of flow bindings. So I took flow bindings, still easy to put on.

If you want a perfect twin-tip snowboard and rigid, you will need to invest lot of $$$, unless you find somtehing much used. These boards usually cost 500+.

Now you can buy kite snowboards. Best, Nobile and AirEvolution make some. I think the Best is cheaper, might find good deals for that on the Net. Nobile and AirEvo cost lot $$$

I have a snowboard with no bindings, could i get away with throwing on some MBS F2s on the board or will that clog me up with snow? Never done any of this, but i hear it's the easiest of the kite sports!

Hi Burn, you mentioned that you didn't know what a directional board was...

A directional board isn't symetrical. The tip is wider than the tail. The tail is flatter, while the tip has more of an up kick; and the binding mounts are closer to the tail.

I'm not much of a rider, but I like a freestyle or twin tip cuz you can ride in either direction really easily.

If you're like me, you'll probably ride with the kite out in front of you most of the time while you're learning and that means you'll be riding heal side in both directions...way easier on a twin tip board IMHO.

Anyone use the Ride Agenda at all yet? Does it perform well with a kite?

I know nothing about snowboards but think I want to get one and give kite snowboarding and snowkiting (on a board). I've been out kite skiing a few times now and it seems like kiting on a board would be a more natural position because you're facing the kite. On skis you have to sort of twist towards the kite. It pulls my harness around which can get annoying.

Anyhow, a friend of mine runs a skateboard/snowboard shop and I think I might be able to get a demo or used (most importantly free ) board from him. Since it's a skate shop I would think that they be more apt to have a freestyle board which should be bidirectional from the sounds of it.

My question is about the binding mounting. I think that whatever board I get will already have bindings on it. Is a standard downhill snowboard setup good for kiting or should I try to get them remounted?

Quote:

Originally posted by kiteNH My question is about the binding mounting. I think that whatever board I get will already have bindings on it. Is a standard downhill snowboard setup good for kiting or should I try to get them remounted?

Change the bindings position:

1) set the angle between 15 and 21 degrees. same both side.
2) if you dont have a perfect twin-tip board (probably the case), try to set the bindings equal distance from both tips.

Only need a screwdriver. Takes 5 minutes.

Snowkiting with a board is more fun for me now. After 34 years of ski, I even started mountain snowboarding. So much fun too. It makes me feel like a kid.
:karate:

So I can just adjust them myself? That's great. I thought that I'd have to have the shop do it.

Does that mean that if I decided to upgrade to Flow bindings that I could put those on as well?

Quote:

Originally posted by kiteNH So I can just adjust them myself? That's great. I thought that I'd have to have the shop do it. Does that mean that if I decided to upgrade to Flow bindings that I could put those on as well?

Yes. 4 screws par bindings.

Yep, you can use any binding with just about any snowboard save for race carving boards which should use a race binding and hard boot. The exception I can think of would be Burton boards are a little limited with some bindings due to the three vs. four screw mounting system (everyone except burton uses 4 screws). Some burton boards only have 1 or two mounting positions for 4 screw bindings but I couldn't tell you which ones, sorry.

For snow kiting set up the bindings with the same angle both feet centered on the board (called "duck") as buzz mentioned so you can go both directions easily. Most snowboards are symmetrical except for the mounting points which will have the center mounting points rear-biased about 1" on so-called 'freeride' boards. On these boards you can still set up centered if you want just choose further forward holes. For DH riding some people ride duck esp. for park/pipe while mountain rider people run a higher angle on the front foot and a lower angle on the rear foot with a little rearward bias to plane the board up in deep snow without the effort of leaning back.

Step in bindings may work well for kiting but if you're doing riding at the resort you'll quickly realize that they just don't perform as well as strap in bindings. I strongly don't recommend step ins from my experience with them (ice, poor performance, etc.). I've heard Flow bindings are a good compromise but I haven't tried them myself.

snowkiting with a board was tougher than i thought still easy, but trying to switch direction to go upwind took me some time getting used to, im sure youll love it. unfourtanetly my snow season is ending soon. booo. :flaming: