I'm a fairly confident kitesurfer who has a long history of snowboarding and skiing. I've signed up and bought flights out to Wanakite, and I can't wait.

However, Since it's still 3 months away, I'd like to get some practice snowkiting before then in the North Island.

I read with interest the latest NZ Kiter's article on the topic, but that struck me as being of more use to accomplished snowkiters who wanted to explore the region, not for people who have never snowkited.

So I've got 7, 9, 13.5 inflatables, a snowboard and enthusiasm, but not much else. Anyone have tips / tricks / contacts for snowkiting Ruapehu and other sites in the North Island?

Also, anyone planning a trip up from Wellington?

Thanks in advance,

There's a few of us from Tauranga in much the same situation as you planning on going down this year. With the snow looking like it is we may be able to get down fairly soon. Am thinking that above the Far West T bar would be pretty good.

In the March nz kiteboarder theres a full right up on ruapehu by Chris Gebbie. Lay your has on a copy and read up.

Chris is the man on the ground at Ruapehu.

Hi,
Ruapehu suits the beginner to advanced kiter, the west ridge area around the Quad loading is the best place to start once the snow arrives and we have a good cover. I will post here when this is possible.

As for pre season the best possibilities are on the local farms and the Chateau golf course.

I'm sure as a kiters we are all familar with Anabatic winds and Katabatic winds, if not heres a breif explanation -

Anabatic - up hill winds, predomenant in summer, warm spring days and late afternoon or evening if the lower foothills are warmish (warm air rising) and when it's blowing it's tits off
Katabatic - Wind that goes down the hill. Predominant in winter and the most common wind on snow covered mountains. The warming low land sucks the air down.

What this means at Ruapehu - Upper mountain (west T - Bar and above is great for storm kiting or warm spring days)The Anabatic wind meets the Karabatic wind at approx the loading area of the far west T-bar. This makes the lower slopes around the west ridge chair the best spot, unless the snow cover is down to the chateau. Then you can kite from there to the west quad no worries, scoria flat is the best plateau on the Mt to explore with no punters and no lifts.

Tommorrow Monday 14th, I would suggest heading to National Park Village or (The desert Rd if you can beat the road closures), It is snowing outside the house at the moment.

I hope this helps, by all means stop by Pukenui Lodge, National Park or just keep a eye out. If it's windy we are kiting.

Cheers
chris.

p.s - The South Island has a slightly different carictaristic as the lower land is also cold and there are many more hills and Mountains for the wind to be effected by. Jon Imhoof or Mike Holland are the guys on the ground there with all the clues.

Hi,

we are all geared up with kites, speed gliders and Ruapehu season passes to go speed riding and snow kiting this season. As soon as the conditions are good and the skifield opens, we will be there. There is a bunch of kiters, paraglider pilots and skiers from Auckland who meet at the ski clubs for a couple of days at a time usually.

When the wind is light, we speed ride, when it is windy we snow kite.

Keep in touch if you like This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Best Regards,
Eva

Hey Chris,

What size kite do you tend to ride on Ruapehu? I ride an 11m and 7m Rev on the water, and also have a 9m North Halo Foil Kite. I figure the 9m should be about the right size for starting out on the snow? Obviously if it's too windy I won't be able to use it, but to start off I'm not sure I'm too keen being on a mountain with a kite up when it's super windy!

Would definitely be keen to hook up, will be down most weekends once the snow starts looking good.

Hiya,
I always take a Acess 4m, Frenzy 9m and a 13m. i also use my water kites a lot if kiting from the road.

The 9m Halo will be sweet, also the water kites will be fine it's just the hassle of carrying around a pump. It's always safer to use what your familar with.

I have demo Ozone foils in a few smaller sizes also, so by all means stop by the lodge www.pukenuilodge.com when you spin by. I'm always keen on a kite or ski.

I also have a range of Ozone and Flexifoil kites suitable for snow and water for demo and sale.

Cheers
Chris.