When learning to kite, start with a trainer, a 2 or 3 meter kite that is powerful enough to be able to pull you on a very windy day, but small enough for you to control without being overpowered. Trainers are fun to fly and can even be a handful on a windy day! Be cautious - these kites can be fast, powerful, and yes, dangerous! The idea is to learn to steer the kite while observing the wind and its effect on the kite's pull and flight. You want to be able to keep the kite flying, while controling how hard it pulls you by learning to steer it in and out of the safety zones (where the kite does not pull you very hard). The Power zone, around 12 o'clock, or straight in front of you, is the area where the kite is at its fullest and straight downwind of the flyer. When you have control, you can make the kite do figure-eights, stand still above you, and maintain safety positions at 3 and 9 o'clock.
After you are comfortable, you can head out to an open snow field and get the feel of the trainer while on skis or a snowboard. With the right wind, it will provide enough pull to get you moving so you can practice staying in control while keeping the kite in the air. You can also learn to use the edges of your skis or board to "tack" in order to move upwind.
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Pam flying a trainer.
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Kites come in different sizes, where larger kites are appropriate for lighter winds and heavier people, and smaller kites are appropriate for heavier winds and lighter people. As your skill and comfort level grows, you may find yourself ready to try a larger kite with more power. A larger kite demands more commitment and confidence because you are attached to the kite via a harness; so you need to be able to control the kite and whatever it is you are riding. There are many safety release points on all kites, so don't get too worried. With the larger kites, there are more lines, including a de-power line to drop the kite if you are losing control. Below is a picture of me (Rick) on my first day launching a larger kite on skis. After a few days of practicing with a trainer on the beach, a few hours behind a trainer on skis, and a few instructions from Dave, I put on a climbing harness and flew this 4 meter Slingshot B4 kite at Mt. Rose Meadows.
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Rick launching a 4 meter for the first time.
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I had loads of fun, and was able to go downwind, upwind, slightly uphill, and eventually make it back to our starting point. Dave taught me some tricks, including the ability to pull the de-power cord to launch the kite, the need to sometimes spin yourself around to uncross the lines while the kite is flying, and placing snow on the kite to prevent it from blowing away while you get into position to launch it or wrap it up for the day.
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Rick tacking upwind for the first time.
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With more skill, you can step up to a larger kite for more power and speed. In the picture below, Dave flies an Ozone Access 6m on a pair of telemark skis. Note how he leans against the pull of the kite and uses his edges to control his direction.
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Dave cruises along with a 6 meter Ozone Access kite.
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The power zones, where the kite pulls the hardest, are near the ground at around 10:30 and 1:30 in relation to the wind when it blows at your back. Learning to harness this power when you want to is key to gaining velocity with the kite.
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Dave speeds along in the other direction.
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Reading the wind is key to keeping the kite flying while avoiding obstacles and while staying in control on a snowboard, skateboard, surfboard, wakeboard, mountain board, a pair of skis, or whatever you choose to ride. An awareness of changes in wind and how the kite will respond will help you keep the kite in the air and avoid crashing or getting dragged across the snow.
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Dave keeps the kite flying while waiting for the wind to pick up.
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Check out the Tahoe Mountain Sports selection of kites:
Trainer Kites
Slingshot Kites
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