Snowkiting gear?

[JCRicketts]

Hey Erik, just looking at your gear question. I am relatively new to the sport (3 years) I have c-kites (4 or 5line), had a closed foil, and currently have sle kites. My most versatile kite is my 13m Waroo. I don't claim it to be the best kite in the world and I don't have much experience on other SLE's but this particular type and size can be used for most conditions probably 85% of the time. I have used this thing on the snow in as little as 8knots on hardpack and as great as 30knots in the powder. A better kiter would probably have even better range. I am 6'0" and 200lbs, use a board and skis, not at the same time. I sure would like to try an Ozone foil though. As far as harnesses go, don't bother with a seat harness, they are fun at first then they seem to get too restrictive and hot. Just go with a simple waist harness, doesn't have to be fancy. Just my .02.
North Strawberry, just down the valley from Daniel's Summit is one of the better places for beginners and experts alike with seemingly unlimited terrain possibilities and lots of clean wind. You are more than welcome to hang with me and mine, I am always looking for someone to go with as not to go alone. Besides, its more fun with more kiters.

Jason Ricketts
Riverdale, UT

[Erik Holmgren]

Good to know on the location, and thanks for the invite!

Spencer, if i get the time to work on it and get comfortable enough this winter (and Alta doesn't mind) let's definitely hit that spot.

I keep hearing about a spot near point of the mountain, when there is snow, where is it? I live on South Mountain about 5 minutes from the Flight Park so this spot would be on my door step, so to speak.


Thanks again everyone for your patience with a complete new guy asking entirely too many questions!

[windzup]

Where to Snowkite:

POM or Point of the Mountain has 3 spots. The Flight Park hosts two of them, the North Side and the South Side. Both typically get blown off by the wind and usually are bare or thin. The face of the South side offers great terrain riding and faces winters prevailing southerly winds. The North side is rare, and takes a south storm to pound for at least a few days.. after the south storm builds a few feet of snow on the North side, wait for the smooth North winds to follow the storm and you will be rewarded with epic snowkiting that will last a couple days before melting and getting blown off. This cycle has only occurred a few times in the last several winters.

The 3rd and primary Snowkite spot near the POM is the flat farm field at the base of the South Side. It is situated next to I-15, and borders the frontage road on the north and east sides of the field. The field sits below the wind level and holds snow, also it only needs 6 inches for coverage, and the south wind hits it every morning. Some of Utahs original Snowkiting took place here, and once upon a time we did downwinders from Cabelas to the POM (before the buildings came).

The Alta gig sounds good. I know some of the OG BD crew hit Mineral Basin early season before the lifts open a couple seasons back. It faces a similar direction as Supreme, so should offer the Goods. The only report was strong vertical updrafts near the ridge line, with a 50 foot unintended air on a 6 meter. I'm in, but can we hike it instead of riding lifts, those things are so outdated and dangerous

I've been eyeballing the south face of Lone Peak for several years, but I'm waiting till I grow up before taking on that epic task! Its far from the road.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[Erik Holmgren]

Thanks for the location info on the POM spots, Brian.

General consensus seems to be something along the lines of a 9m/12m SLE/bow kite for most conditions...? I'm a college student, so I'm trying to buy before the prices on the smaller kites really jump when the masses start buying for storms and snow..I don't think there is any way I would be able to afford a foil, going off the used prices i've been watching on Ebay and ikitesurf.com...

[windzup]

Foils tend to have a longer lifespan than inflatables, and they are usually kept in a quiver for several seasons....hence there are fewer used kites for sale on the market, like online at ebay, etc. However, Utah is home to a large surplus of Snowkiters, and likely you can score a deal over the next few months as locals turn over older kites for the newer technology that hits the market in Sept/Oct.

What school are you going to? The U in Logan and SLC both have kiteboard clubs that have demo kites and discounts for student members. Check them out, Jake Walker is the prez for the downtown club, and the outdoor rec department in Logan are the folks to contact.

Good luck with getting gear and becoming a full time wind junkie!

Windzup,
Brian

[Erik Holmgren]

The University of Utah in SLC has Kiteboarding gear?!

I'm at the U right now, so that would be just about perfect

[windzup]

Call Jake Walker at 801-368-2377.... Prez of the Kite club, he can dial you in. Ukiteclub@ Gmail.com

Remember the rules...
1 First rule is you don't talk about Kite Club
2. Second Rule is you don't talk about kite club.
3. Third rule, if its your first day, you have to kite!

Windzup