Utah Windriders Association

Forecast for Sunday Snowkiting looks a lot like Saturdays forecast, although I'm sure a little lighter overall.

Skyline should be a good call again. There may be wind at Strawbs, but apparently the more westerly the wind, the more elusive it becomes at Strawbs.

The seely creek wind talker is currently reporting 20mph plus.

The Windzup crew and friends will be heading up to the line today, see you up there.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

Anybody up for reporting on how Strawbs and Pow-Mow turned out on Sunday?

Skyline was utterly epic, fully powered on all kites all day. The less experienced were being launched on 6-8 meter Access kites while others held on to 10-14 meter kites. I personally rode a 10m Access after realizing the intense power of the larger kites in Sundays wind. There was still some powder stashes to be explored and plenty of fast runs.

The weather was sunny and blue, but the wind, while strong, was coming South - SW.....weird since all winds aloft & forecasts were for West or NW flows. Despite the direction, it was 10mph less than the SLC wasatch forecast and perfect for Snowkiting.

Oddly enough, Mondays forecast looks similar at the Line.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

It was hella windy up here at Pow Mow. Didnt fly. My wife saw some kites on Monte-Cristo, Auggie??

Pow Mow looked like it would have been good yesterday with winds about 15 out of the south. I had to patrol at the lower lift and do not know if anyone actually showed up to kite since I can't see it from there. I do know that they shut the resort down early on Saturday due to high winds. The chairs were being blown within inches of the towers.

The wind looked good, (9M) but
The snow looked horribly windblown.
at Powder Mountain.
Down to the ground in places,
Chris suggeested we go to Monte Cristo instead.
Lighter wind, better snow conditions.
A little bit of a hike on the snowmobile trail,
to get to a ridge to find the wind.
Jake and Jesse got there later,
They didn't get rides,
unless it came back up later.

I had a session in powder Saturday,
North of Soda Springs,
On a hilly field.
Once the blizzard calmed down,
we kited the end of the storm, south winds,
then the clearing, north wind, till dark.
I tried to kite Friday,
Tincup pass, (between Wayan, and Fredom)
but it was to late.
I hiked a ways through 18" powder,
but as I rigged, the sun went down,
and the wind died, no rides.

2 days kiting,
2 new spots. (for me)

-Marty

As of Friday I was still driving my 4runner up the snowmobile trail at Ant Flat and parking at the top of the rise. That scenario may be ending soon since it will snow again this Wednesday. I did notice that when I left Friday my truck started to sink when I put it in gear as I was leaving @ 3:00, but I didn't get stuck. The winds Friday were perfect-12 mph NW when I arrived and 20mph NW within about 1 1/2 hours. I was able to go everywhere I wanted. I kited for about 4 hours and then left-it was still blowing 20.

Augie wrote:As of Friday I was still driving my 4runner up the snowmobile trail at Ant Flat and parking at the top of the rise. That scenario may be ending soon since it will snow again this Wednesday. I did notice that when I left Friday my truck started to sink when I put it in gear as I was leaving @ 3:00, but I didn't get stuck.

Doug drove his truck up there also.
But as you say,
it got soft later in the day.
Getting out could be bad news.

-Marty

Its good to hear monte cristo is happening. I havent been their at the right time yet. The one time I saw some wind, I got sucked to the side, got stuck, and dug for an hour until the wind stopped and I was out. I think I'll walk.

Les,

Next time, ride first dig second

Kenny

That sounds like wisdom speaking...

Met a guy today at Georetown Lake, MT, snowkiting. He said he's debated you on kiteforum.com skyline vs Georgetown Lake, but it came down to where can you find good beer. He's got a point, while the flat land kiting has its limits, the beer is good. Hope to get over to Mt Hagan and drink another soon. oh, yeah, got stuck again today, got pushed out. If it happens again I'll follow your advice and fly first.

Les,

I don't drink. Guess that's why I like Skyline better, then again maybe it is the much deeper and higher quality of snow or the varied terrain. Can't glide off a flat field...

I am not sure if I will ever check out Montana snowkiting. Maybe if we get a terrible snow year. Why leave the ultimate snowkiting for something not quite as good. It would be like flying to SoCa to go kiteboarding if you lived in Maui or the Gorge. Like I have said before, Utah snowkiters are so spoiled.

Kenny