Snowkiting, the dream marriage between powerkiting and snowboarding or skiing. Snowkiting means many things to many people. For some it’s about having the freedom to ride the freshest powder far away from the crowded pistes. To hear the sound of cracking snow under your board and making tracks in pristine places otherwise only to be reached by snowmobile or helicopter.
For others it is about riding endless miles, no lift lines and minimal rules. Out on some isolated, frozen lake, on ice smooth as glass and hard as concrete, speeding along on long sharp skis leaving nothing behind but two thin tracks.
Imagine having your own personal ski lift, allowing you to ride deep into the backcountry, to ride in a frozen world far away from cell phones and internet, a world where it is just you, your kite and the wind.
Snowkiting is a feeling, a feeling that can’t be described, can’t be captured in words. Calling snowkiting a sport is insufficient, calling it a sport over-simplifies a nearly spiritual activity into a neat little package while it’s so much more than that. The experience can be as mellow or as extreme as the rider’s desire.
It’s also a good way to get into kitesurfing as much of the dynamics are similar but without the hassle of learning how to water-start.
And probably the best thing about snowkiting or kite skiing is that it is easy to get into, all you need is a snow covered field a board or skis and a kite, in fact most powerkites can easily pull you along as resistance on snow is very low, much lower than say on the water.
Snowkiting is regarded as an extreme sport so when you go out exploring off the beaten track make sure you’re not riding alone and take all the necessary precautions like wearing protective gear and bringing along safety equipment such as avalanche beepers, a thermos with hot fluids, a change of clothes and everything else that can safe your hide when things do go wrong.
So, if you’re looking for a new, cool and adventurous experience, find an open spot, strap on your board/skis, launch your kite and start shredding!
