Anyone got any thought about weather Turoa is going to be any good this weekend? I was thinking about heading up for a snow kite. Looks like Turoa has more snow than the other side. Forecast is for strong southerlies.

http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/weather-forecast/

Hey Yakernz,

You should give Chris Gebbie @ Pukenui Lodge in Nat Park Village, he is the man on the ground so to speak for snow kiting around the central North Island. I was talking to him yesterday and it sounds like he was looking for a session this weekend. I'll PM you his cell number.

Cheers

DK

Hi YakerNZ

Can you take some action shots and post them online. All the Snow Kiting shot you see in the random picture header for KF were taken at Turoa last year.

We walked up trial number 4 until hit a nice quiet area away from the mail routes. Have marked the area in fluro green on the map. The wind was SW - WSW which increased from 10 knots to around 20 by the end of the day. We were way over powered by 3pm and packed up. Was an absolutely wicked day on the mountain. My advice, check the forecast, ring Chris, and get out there.

N-joy your trip.
letsgetjase

Hi Louis,
Weather looks sweet but the only issue may be ice. The last two weather patterns didn't bring much snow and the wind strips it this time of the year. Best cover is above the 18000m mark. Metvuw is not showing much wind, slight south/sw. Met service says gales:cheer:,that sounds fun!!

Cheers
Chris.

Yep had an epic session last year up on Turoa. It was up the top skiers right of the T bar. It's not beginner terrain but was wicked! Jase the bit you highlighted is good, but up the top is sooo much better when your up to it.

I am more concerned with cloud cover this weekend although it does look like the wind will be there! Could be keen on a night session on Friday night if it looks good.

50km/hour is a bit much for me!!!

I will probably go down there and just snowboard, but will bring my kites anyway, just in case it comes down a bit. Don't want to do a Mary Poppins on the first snow day out

Hey jase

I got a bunch of pics from last year on the hill. Cant seem to up load them to the site though. Trying to upload them to an album but keep getting 403 error.

do you have to pay to snow kite the ski feilds? do they get pissed off if you just rock up and start kiting?

Hi Plummet,
If you want to use the lifts you do, the other option is a short walk up to the snow. When we kite Tongariro there is a 35 min hike to snow line.

On Ruapehu the ski resort will get pissed if we kite in boundary or close to lifts. At least 200m from lifts is advised. Note - Never kite further than you would want too walk home.

Have fun out there.

Hi Dan

I have now fixed the photo uploading page. You can now upload. Looking forward to seeing your photos.

Jase

Hey guys........and girls now.....


Added my area that i have been kiting in, (SW wind coming down the hill) still great place and took a few pics all last year after a big dump. still got all the powder to ourselves so was awesome. Plenty more area to discover. Tikikino will be the one when we get our shit together and do it, pretty wild but amazing terrrain there.

any way see you on the hill soon. just come and say hi will be on ozones 12manta 09 or smaller lei kites.

Dan

Addiction kiting

Hey Guys recently moved to Turangi, Been out kiting Taupo a bit but its getting damn cold now. Really keen try snow kiting, any novice friendly areas around Ruapaheu? Thought the golf course at Whakapapa would be a good place to start but it could be a while before we get snow that low.

The golf course is OK but it doesn't snow there that often. The Whakapapa ski field has always struck me as not open enough.

I reckon the Tongariro Crossing might work as it is relatively flat and the wind just howls between the mountains.

I was snow-boarding at Turoa last Saturday but the snow was not that low down and very icy all day off trail so it wasn't worth getting the kite out. We need more snow!

well i want to know when it is good. keep us ip to date with snow levels. i'd like someone to get a airial map of the whole area and detail kiting spots and ideal wind direction/speed and skill level required for each spot.

i don't ask for much do i?

Hi Team

I have been hard work on other aspects of the site at the minute, but feel I should let you know what's coming in the following months. The locations section will be re-launched utilizing Google Maps technology and shared Map points.

I would appreciate if you find any examples of map technology on websites out there, that you PM me and I will take a look.

The Goal is a have a Map of New Zealand with all the different Kite Sports locations that KiteForum member contribute to and members post their comments.

Stay Tuned!! Suggestions and Volunteers welcomed!!!!!