Conditions at Strawberry or Bear Lake?

[ScottShallenberg]

Hello, I'm new to the site and had some questions about the conditions at both Bear Lake and Strawberry Reservoir. I know those aren't the state's top windsurfing or kiteboarding destinations, but how would you characterize those spots for learning to windsurf or just your basic sailing?

Thanks,
Scott

[Kenny]

I was at Strawberry this morning. It is a good place for snowkiting. The snow is about 12 - 18" deep right now. There is a 6" base of snow over the ice at Chicken Creek East.

Snowkiting is a good entry into kiteboarding as the water start is often the most difficult part of learning how to kiteboard. Most people can learn how to snowkite with one or two lessons.

I have kiteboarded a couple times on the water at Bear Lake. It can be hit and miss. Some days the wind is good and strong other days it is flukey. Frontal generated winds are your best bet there, but the afternoon thermal is often kiteable during the summer. Same thing holds true for Strawberry. In a nutshell, I don't know anybody that goes to Bear Lake or Strawberry just to kiteboard. However, if you are headed there anyway, pack your gear because you might get a good ride. In the winter, you are more likely to get a ride because it takes less wind to get moving when you are riding on the ice.

Kenny