 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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feef, if you fancy a go they do courses in Chamonix.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I was wondering just how much trouble I'd be in if I took my power kite and used it as an up lift in resort! 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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gixxerniknik, short answer is "a lot". Kitesurfing (close relation) is f'ng hard enough, and that's with 'soft' water to land on.
Weathercam's link is firmly in the "watch from the comfort of armchair" unless you're young/brave/foolhardy/already sh*t hot on ski's/live in the resort.
I'd love to try it though... looks like one hellf of a rush. Would be interested to see how it compares to speedskiing (at least with those canopies, you've got a degree of consistent 'lift'.... not sure how kites compare to that).
and having been on a paragliding course and seeing an experienced flyer wrap himself round a power line, having 20/20 vision is another requirement....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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8m kite! I struggle to control my 3.5m bullet at times (mostly when it's in the air!) Mind you, it must be a hell of a buzz just to get consistantly moving.
So where can you do this? I've just assumed that it'd be a huge no-no in any resort, and TBH I don't think I'd fit the kite in the normal luggage allowance either.
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gixxerniknik, shots above are up at the Col du Lautaret which is well away from any resort, around 14km to be precise
That said there's also an open field that is used as well if conditions are right around 3km from a "resort".
In Jan there's the Snow Kiting Masters http://www.snowkitemaster.com/ up at the Col
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I think the point of the UpSki system isn't that it's a fast, exhilarating sport in it's own right, but that it's a controllable method of uplift. Traction kites and whatnot would all be a bit too committed I think.
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feef, you can go as hard or as slow as you want with a kite, it's all about handling the power, and obviously getting the right sized kite for what you want to do.
Getting airtime, hangtime at altitude is seriously huge compared to being on the water (sea level) and that's to do with air pressure. Guys are hanging easily five times as long in the air as at sea level, though not too sure if they kite loop.
If you're a reasonably competent kitesurfer and good at snow sports then it's quite an easy cross over.
I'd love it if I was to get to the stage this year in being able to kite up whilst my mates skin up, only hassle would be skiing back down with my waist harness on, last season I tried kiting with my climbing harness but kept coming loose with the on off off power, might have to revisit that 
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