Alpine Kayak

Alpine Kayak's Snow Kite Gear

Here is some info courtesy of our friends at Ozone Kites:

	Snow kiting is the latest winter sport. Fast growing and simple to learn, skiers and boarders across the world are discovering the fun of Snow kiting. There is no doubt that this is the most dynamic and exciting winter sport ever! You can jump farther and higher than you ever imagined possible and land smoothly! The backcountry potential is endless, covering miles over untracked powder in no time at all. The sensation of going up hill with the kite is wild and opens up even more terrain. Add speed to the equation and this sport has got it all!!! All you need is snow and a power kite and you can turn a cold winter's day into a blistering, adrenaline soaked experience. Speeds of over 60 mph have been recorded as snow kite riders blast themselves along with just the power of the wind. The 'Big air' jumps that boarders and skiers are pulling under the power and security of power kites are simply breath taking. Using the natural power of the wind a snow kite and a pair of skis can also take you deep in to the untouched powder, that only heli-skiers and ski tourers could reach before. However even a flat field can be a playground with a kite and snow! Wind power is one of life's few free rides and already snow kiting enthusiasts have achieved incredible things. From a ground breaking unsupported journey to the North Pole and back to huge kite powered adventures through Alaska, the world of winter sports is embracing this new fantastic new sport. The potential is simply limitless! Some common questions. Is snow kiting easier than kite surfing?..... YES! It is easy to stand on snow which makes the whole process easier compared to water. This means it is easy to get to grips the kite and the techniques required to ride. It also means you can stop anywhere without sinking!!! It also takes a lot less wind to drive a board across snow than it does across water. With the snow kite the whole learning experience is lot less daunting as you need much less power and wind to get you moving. Finally, holding an edge in snow is much easier than in water making up wind progress much easier to master.   Why are open cell parafoils better than inflatables or closed cell marine foils for snow kiting? In words - Safety and simplicity. Open cell kites do not require pre-inflation. Instantly that's 15 minutes more fun a day than the inflatable owner is getting. As for all that messing around with frozen valves and numb hands - no thanks! Parafoils are out of the bag and your gone in seconds. An open cell kite can be stalled in to a lifeless piece of cloth just by pulling the brakes. This is an enormous safety feature when you are in trouble as you can kill all the power in the kite. Inflatables and closed cell foils always maintain their rigid shape and surface area, even on the ground. In strong winds this can be very dangerous as these kites can still produce unwanted power and traction. Finally, at the end of your day you can pack a parafoil in to a tiny pack and be on your way home in minutes.     Do I want skis or a snowboard? Whichever you feel more comfortable with. For beginners skis are often better as the ease of movement really helps till you get the hang of it. However, once you're kiting properly then anything that slides works. We've heard reports of sledges, car bonnets `and even workman's shovels being dragged behind our kites! Where can I snow kite? There are snow Kiters in most countries now, Norway, France, Austria, Germany, USA, Argentina, in fact where there is snow, riders are appearing!!! The good thing is all you need is clear space, away from roads, power lines and houses and you're off.    Alpine Kayak's Snow Kite Gear Ozone Kites Slingshot Kites Dakine Kite Accessories   WHY SHOULD I USE SLINGSHOT WASP OR OZONE SAMURAI SERIES KITES? Slingshot B Series and Ozone Samurai Kites offer the best performance for the price. They are designed for use with a control bar which allows riders to create a balanced stance. A rider with a  proper stance has more power and better kite control. These Kites were designed to be fast and slippery, allowing the rider to create his/her own range of power by working the kite in and out of the "power zone". They also feature simple two and four line kite flying for ease of use and minimal tangling. Both Slingshot and Ozone kites come with a complete riders handbook/manual on how to properly assemble, fly and maintain the kite.   DO I NEED TO USE A TRAINER KITE FIRST? Lighter kites such as the Ozone IMP 1.7, Slingshot Wasp 3 or any trainer kite are highly recommended for beginners. Snow is easier to learn on than water and good kite skills are essential. It is recommend that you spend many hours flying one of these lighter kites before you attempt to snowboard or ski with one.