What Is Snowkiting?
By Jakob Jelling, Thu Dec 8th

As if snowboarding and kitesurfing actually meshed into onesingle sport it would be Snowkiting. Imagine taking a lift highatop a beautiful mountain, you set your kite in motion and getyour feet firmly planted you start your run down a long whitehill. As you snowboard down the mountain your kite helps yougain speed and with a good gust of wind you too can be 10 – 15feet in the air. With this much gravity you too can beimplementing the same moves as the kitesurfer does includingjibing and crossing over.

Snowkiting is another example of the popular extreme sportseries as there are many hazards that circle this sport as wellas kitesurfing. Snowkiters take their board to the mountain andride the winds down fast and furious. Moguls and ramps can helpyou gain more air than you bargained for if you are a beginner.Starting slow and learning how to keep your kite in the air isthe basic fundamental. Once you have mastered the techniques youwill be flying in no time at all.

It doesn’t matter if its natural snow or powder, you too can getup to 50 – 70 mph with the aid of your kite. Although thepremise is still the same between the two sports, it takes a lotless wind to move you

Savoie / Mont Pourri North west Face

Savoie / Val D Isere Face Du Charvet

Savoie / Val D Isere Tour Du Charvet

Hautes-Alpes / Serre Chevalier Off Piste

Isere-Drome / Dome De Pravouta

Isere-Drome / Col De La Lavey North

Isere-Drome / Grand Replomb by the br?e Ouest

Isere-Drome / Rochers Du Midi Via Sources Du Guiers

Isere-Drome / La Combe Du Giclas

Isere-Drome / les Illettes by the col de l'Aigleton

Isere-Drome / Dents De Bedina East Face

Isere-Drome / Cime De La Jasse

Hautes-Alpes / La Rouya North Couloir

Haute-Savoie / Pointe Du Midi South west Couloir

Isere-Drome / Grands Moulins South Face

Isere-Drome / Pic De Barlet North West Bowl

Jura / La Dole Figure Of Eight From La Cergue

Haute-Savoie / Point Du Midi Tour Of The Cu Deri

Jura / Pointe De Poele Chaud East Couloir

Haute-Savoie / Le Mole Normal Route

across the snow then it does across thewater. Jumps and flips are easier and depending on how you landsofter. Once your kite is launched and you begin your descent itis far easier to keep yourself on the snowboard.

You can either snowkite with skis or a snowboard; whichever onemakes you feel the most comfortable. Many extreme riders preferto use the board as there is more flexibility and ease. Thereare many vacation spots around the world that are now picking upsnowkiting as a popular sport. Should you visit a ski resort anddecide to go this route, you will need to take a lesson or twojust to get the hang of the equipment.

Frenzy, Samurai, and Razor are popular kites available for thesnowkiter. Depending on your budget, you can expect to pay $500- $1500 for an entire setup. You may also find used equipment atski shops in your area as well.

About the author:Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.kitesurfingnow.com.Visit his kitesite for the latest on kitesurfing equipment,kiteboarding lessons, places to surf and much more!