There’s no doubt, air is the latest frontier in adventure sports. And snow kiting – the act of strapping on a snowboard or pair of skis and attaching oneself to a harness that is connected to a kite for the reason of being pulled across a snowy surface – is a growing sport in the Lake Tahoe area and beyond. Why pay for a lift ticket when you can harness the wind for free?
The freedom provided by snow kiting is one of the main attractions for folks like Dave Polivy, owner of Tahoe Mountain Sports and a snow kiter for the past five years. Polivy, who sells snow kiting equipment at his Kings Beach-based store, hosted a Snow Kiting Demo Day – the first ever in Lake Tahoe history – at the Tahoe Meadows area on Highway 431 on a recent Saturday.
Nearly 100 people stopped by to see what all the colorful kites were doing in the air and a good number of those people participated in free beginner lessons and demoed specialized kiting gear. Polivy spent the day teaching folks the basics of snow kiting and answering all sorts of questions.
Here are a few things Polivy told the crowd about snow kiting:
Why snow kite? Polivy's attraction to snow kiting is clearly a by-product of his adrenaline addiction. “When the snow’s bad and the wind’s blowing at the resorts, it’s a good time to go snow kiting,” he said. “It’s the perfect compliment to resort skiing.”
What are three basic things all beginning snow kiters should know? Polivy recommends folks interested in kiting take a lesson first and foremost. “It will really help you understand the equipment you’re using,” he said. Virtually everyone learning to snow kite – or any kind of kiting sport – starts with a trainer kite. The purpose of a trainer kite is to experiment with the fundamentals of flying a kite. Trainer kites come in two-line, three-line and four-line versions, offering varying levels of control in powering, depowering and directional steering. Four lines provide the most control, while two lines provide the least. Although Polivy said it’s possible to use a large two-meter or three-and-a-half-meter trainer kite to pull a snow kiter on a board or skis, trainers are generally just used for flying. They are smaller and easier to control than kites used for the sport. Check out Ozone Kites, which are the most popular kite brand with a wide variety of models for every experience level.
It’s recommended that folks spend at least four or five hours flying a trainer kite, before attaching to the kite via a harness. Four to five hours is just an estimate, and Polivy emphasizes potential kiters should have a clear understanding of the “power zone” and proficiency in steering the kite while keeping it in that zone.
The trick to flying a kite comes only with practice. However, Polivy has some advice on finessing the movement. “Keep the upper body steady with your hands in front of you,” he said. “It’s a punch-and-pull motion from side to side. From there, just experience where there’s power and where there’s no power and try to keep the kite in the air as best you can.”
What’s the power zone? The power zone is the place directly downwind; it is the best place to fly the kite and, consequently, the kite will generally crash if it’s not kept in the power zone.
What’s the investment required? Assuming you already have ski or snowboard equipment, here’s the breakdown for getting started in snow kiting. Three-to-four-hour lesson: $250; harness: $150; trainer kite: $100-$250; first kite: $600-$1,200.
So figure about $2,000 to get off the ground, but after that, the wind is free!
What’s the best wind? Breezes blowing a consistent 10 mph are ideal beginner conditions. Anything less and it’s hard to really fly the kite. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, trying stronger winds is simply the name of the game. Polivy gave 10 mph to 25 mph as a good window and if at all possible, avoid extreme gusty conditions. Check local conditions at either nearby airports or, in the Tahoe area, visit www.tahoemountainsports.com, which keeps wind conditions up-to-date.
Where are the best places to go? Locally, Polivy recommends Mt. Rose Meadows off Highway 431 near the summit of Mt. Rose, Martis Valley off Highway 267 and Prosser Reservoir in the North Lake Tahoe area. In the South Lake Tahoe area, Grass Lake and Hope Valley are generally good spots. The ideal area consists of long, flat areas that have few obstacles such as rocks and trees. Dave emphasizes being highly aware of your surroundings at all times. “Being extremely observant of everything is key,” he said. “The conditions are everything – weather, your gear, obstacles.”
Is this kiting stuff just for kids? Nope. Kiting is life-long venture; just ask Gary from King's Beach ... he's 78 years old.
