FAQ's Kitesnowboarding Edition

While most local kiters have started the sport on the water in the last year or two, the sport has been thriving on the snow for many years in Ontario. Winter comes early to the snowbelt regions of the Great Lakes where the kitesnowboarding season starts Mid November and often lasts well in March. With such a long season no wonder they prefer riding in the winter.

Moving back to the Windsor area in September of 2000, I spent that Fall riding alone expect for the occasional windsurfer that showed up to keep me company. I was thrilled in December of that year to see a posting on the Internet for a kitesnowboarding demo taking place on Lake Simcoe (one hour north of Toronto). I went up expecting a handful of beginner riders; I was surprised to discover a happening scene of several dozen riders that ripped up the snow.

Compare the costs

The cost of a top of the line, new inflatable kite for water and snow use is around $1200 Cad. If you want to get out on the snow only, you can buy a foil kite (not for water use) for half that cost to get out in the winter. If you are an avid snowboarder you are use to paying $50 and up for a day on the slopes locally (if you can even call them that). For good conditions you need to either travel to the Rockies or to the Northeast, which of course is expensive. Even if you never leave the local area you can expect about 30 rideable days each winter. Forget lift tickets and long lines, this is your new ticket to ride. In the snowbelt area the have a season that is over 100 day long.

Question and Answer

Q: I am low on cash, so how much money will it cost to get into the sport?
A: Depending on your weight, you can start kiteboarding on the snow with a foil kite as small at 3 meters. A 3m foil cost about $300cad. A 5meter foil would be a better bet and cost about $500 new. We have used gear available for cheaper if you are really strapped for cash. If you are intrested in riding in the summer on the water as well, an inflatable around 10meter would be a better bet at around $1000 cad. You will be able to use this kite in the summer months on those high wind days.

Q: How does kiteboarding on the snow, compare to the water?
A: Given good snow conditions you can do all the trick and manoveres that are possible on the water. Also, since there is less friction with snow and no sinking factor, you are able to ride in less wind than in the summer. In the summer there are many days with no wind. However, in the winter it is very rare to have a day without enough wind to ride.

Q: How much snow do you need?
A: About 2 inches fully covering the ground to ride and have fun. I don’t start jumping on the snow till there is at least 6 inches to cushion any hard wipeouts. Grass is a better surface to ride on, ice can be good and fields if the snow is at least 6 inches deep and there are no bare sections.

Q: Can I use my regular snowboard and bindings that I use for the slopes?
A: Yes, and the cheaper and more beat-up the better. Step-in bindings make riding much easier, especially at the start but you can use your standard two strap binding if that is what you have and are short on cash.

Q: What other snowboard equipement do I need?

A: A helmet is highly recommended and knee and elbow pads if on ice of fields with not a lot of snow. Also tail bone protection is needed if snow is thin.

Q: Do you need a special kite for the snow?
A: No, I use the same inflatable kites that I use in the summer on the water, in the winter on the snow.

Q: Where can I ride?
A: Just about anywhere; small inland lakes, open fields, rolling hills, slopes (that have no trees).

Q: Will I quit snowboarding?
A: See for yourself….

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