Snowkite

The snowkite is during Kitesurf in winter sport, the board of surfing being replaced in this discipline by a Snowboard, or Ski S. It is thus possible to reach speeds of more than 70km/h.

Constraints and advantages of the mountain

One of the principal differences in this sport with its other versions (Kitesurf, Kite buggy,…), is the rough ground met in mountainous medium. These accidents disturb flows of air, which gives a wind in gusts (as well in force as in direction), which complicates the handling of the veil.

With these gusts more local turbulences, due for example to small are added butt, which will cause effects of acceleration, or the faiblissement local ones of the wind. This environment in 3D thus obliges the practitioner with controlling his wing well.

Lastly, the slope causes a rotation of the window of flight of the kite. Indeed, the blowing wind in a way parallel on the ground, and the zenith of the window of flight being perpendicular to the wind, the zenith of the wing is not thus any more with the top of the skier, but behind him. The inopportune risks of takeoff are thus increased.

In addition to the characteristics of the piloting of the kite, the dangers inherent in the mountain are present: the Avalanche S are of course possible, more especially as the gusts of wind prone to the slips are formed on the been windy zones which attract the skiers. The practice of the snowkite thus obliges to acquire safety equipment, like the Arva, a shovel, a probe…

The weather in mountain is as more difficult as elsewhere: it changes very quickly, of the arrivals of fog, the fall of temperature, or even of the snowstorms can arrive quickly. The weather is thus a crucial point for safety, to check before any departure. Time is all the more complex as one can meet different layers according to altitude. Thus one is likely, while going up, to pass from a layer of wind has another, and to find for example 30km/h northern wind directed in low altitude, and 50 km/h of arrived southern wind 300 meters higher. It is thus advisable to locate the altitude of the spot to have an idea of the conditions which await the surfer. In all the cases, one never should only leave, and be preferably accompanied by a person who knows the ground well.

Another disadvantage of the ground is that it is covered with ice, the contacts with planet thus make definitely more badly than on the water of the kitesurfeurs or the sand of the buggyists. Moreover, the rule is never not to further go that what one is able to walk (in the event of breakdown of wind, walk in snow is very testing).

The greatest advantage of the snowkite is freedom to traverse nature: it there more moment when one finds oneself in bottom of a slope while waiting for the ski lifts, it is possible of surfer unceasingly at the time of long excursions.

Equipment

Board

The material of slips is the same one as for the winter sports: ski, snowboard, even Télémark (far from frequent). The sizes of ski or boards do not vary compared to the descent.

We frequently see skis smaller and sharpened well for a surface frozen and longer and broader for a snow-covered surface.

Kite

The veils of traction used are a little different from that of the kitesurf. The material differs from the watery practice, because it is possible and frequent to use a sail with boxes which is similar to the parapentes in its construction and whose size lies between 5 m ² and 12 m ² (the most current sizes). They are these types of wings of traction which are also used for the Kite buggy. It is completely possible to use a sail of the kitesurf type (with inflatable rolls) but one loses in effectiveness.

Another difference with the kitesurf, there is less of frictions, not drowning of the wing (or of the surfer). Moreover, more snow is hard, less the power is necessary.

Material

the helmet is obligatory in the event of fall;
a combination of ski is of course advised not to be cold;
to begin the traditional harness (out of belt) is very well. Thereafter, in the event of jumps and/or of flights of slope, a cross-belt of climbing in addition to the harness is more comfortable and brings more safety. The harness must in any event be equipped to be able to be detached quickly from the wing in the event of problem, even during strong tractions.

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