Contact   Imprint   Advertising   Guidelines

More specific advice for ski choice

Forum for snow- and landkiters
artificialname
Medium Poster
Posts: 149
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2021 4:22 pm
Kiting since: 2020
Weight: 100kg
Local Beach: Toronto
Gear: Cabrinha crossbow 11metre, 2012
Ozone Edge 17m, 2015
Pansh Genesis 8m
Bar - HQ4 / Airush
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 49 times
Been thanked: 15 times

More specific advice for ski choice

Postby artificialname » Wed Dec 15, 2021 11:06 pm

I’ve heard all the generic advice for which skis to get for snow kiting:

-any “resort” ski will work fine
- get something with less of a side cut
- a little wider, longer and stiffer is a good idea

Does anyone have a source with something more specific?
Eg at least 100mm underfoot
No more than a 5mm sidecut
Or a specific recommendation, eg if you get an “all mountain” ski make sure it’s at least 80mm underfoot

I’ll be kiting in southern Ontario, so fresh powder is rare and never on glass-ice. Mostly hard pack or chop. Occasional light cover of powder but just a few inches.

User avatar
Pera
Medium Poster
Posts: 91
Joined: Fri May 06, 2016 2:00 pm
Kiting since: 2004
Weight: 82 kg
Local Beach: Bygdin Lagune. The mountains in Norway
Style: Freeride, jumping, gliding
Gear: Cabrinha Switchblades 2015, 2020,2021 6-12m
Cabrinha Contra 2021 11m
Cabrinha Moto 2022 12m
Cabrinha Nitro 2024 12m
Cabrinha Ace Wood 2018
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 62 times
Been thanked: 30 times

Re: More specific advice for ski choice

Postby Pera » Wed Dec 15, 2021 11:57 pm

I use the Line Tigersnake 171cm 113-88-109. It is a Twintip/All mountain ski that works in most conditions. Most important for me is the weight and the length.I mostly do freeride, simple tricks and jumping. If you are playful , go for a short/light ski. If you are more of a racing type, go for a longer and more heavy ski. The width of the Tigersnake is an ideal compromise for all kind of snow conditions.

Boston kiter
Frequent Poster
Posts: 259
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:29 am
Kiting since: 2011
Local Beach: Naaaaaahant
Favorite Beaches: Chapin, Kalmus, Wing, Horseneck, Hardings, Hatch, Good Harbor.
Style: freeride , boost, surf, foil
Gear: Duotone 11 rebel sls, 9m Pivot sls 7m Pivot 9m UFO

Crazyfly Raptor pro, Slingshot Celero Cab secret agent/Lift 170 classic
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 126 times
Been thanked: 71 times

Re: More specific advice for ski choice

Postby Boston kiter » Thu Dec 16, 2021 1:33 am

I think what works on the slopes applies to kiting...smooth, icy, slick conditions usually call for a narrower ski with less side cut, no rocker, and sharp edges. For soft snow, spring conditions and powder something wider under foot and some rocker would be more enjoyable....

Dave_5280
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 2675
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:40 pm
Kiting since: 1997
Weight: 78 kg
Favorite Beaches: Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii, U.S.
Style: Freeride
Gear: Switchblades, Contras, CF Raptor TT. Ozone Frenzy foil kites with skis. Fixed bridle foil kites on handles with MBS landboard. Progression Sports videos.
Location: Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Has thanked: 85 times
Been thanked: 174 times

Re: More specific advice for ski choice

Postby Dave_5280 » Thu Dec 16, 2021 1:50 am

I wouldn’t worry about it too much, get something cheap out of a bargain barrel and go. You will figure out what you like. With more shaped skis I just have to correct my line more since they want to turn upwind more. The only problem I’ve had was when warm and on wet sticky snow - kite pulls and skis don’t move, need wax.

For me a good harness like Ozone really helps with flexibility and getting low at times.

Have fun!

gl
Medium Poster
Posts: 156
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 1:44 am
Kiting since: 1999
Gear: Flysurfer Peak 4 8 and 11, Concept Air Smart, Water Smart, Pulsion, Firefly and Wave kites. Slingshot foil boards and foils, North Nugget
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: More specific advice for ski choice

Postby gl » Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:40 am

I am in central Ontario and if I could just one pair of skis it would be my 171 long by 114-80-108 twin tip. With just a moderate radius sidecut. It is good on everything other than ice and deeper powder.

Da Yoda
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1342
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2005 6:20 pm
Kiting since: 2005
Style: Strapless Freestyle, Wave, Freeride
Gear: Handmade Surfboards
Location: Western USA
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 168 times

Re: More specific advice for ski choice

Postby Da Yoda » Tue Dec 28, 2021 5:39 pm

Check out DeCosse Customs (if they're still in business). They make skis and snowboards made to order. This could be exactly what you're looking for. :thumb:
http://decossecustoms.com/story
http://decossecustoms.com/snowkite

Windigo1
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 930
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 5:57 pm
Style: Foil foil.. and Old School!
Gear: Too many to list
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 61 times
Been thanked: 213 times

Re: More specific advice for ski choice

Postby Windigo1 » Tue Dec 28, 2021 6:20 pm

I use old straight skis for hard icy surface and big powder skis with very little sidecut or a snowboard for deep snow days. Most of the people here eastern Ontario/western Quebec do the same. You can get those old skis from pre-parabollic times for free or next to nothing, they work great on the ice if you sharpen them. Just make sure the bindings still work good.

andylc
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1188
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 3:26 pm
Local Beach: Exmouth
Favorite Beaches: Saunton Sands
Gear: Reedin Supermodel V3 7,9,11m, Duotone Juice 13m
Saul Custom Wave Board 138cm
Nomad Superleggera LW 142cm
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 139 times

Re: More specific advice for ski choice

Postby andylc » Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:12 pm

If you’re planning on skiing with them in the normal fashion too then I’d prioritise this. Personally for an all mountain ski for on and off piste I go for a 105 waist. This also works fine for kite skiing.
Modern all mountain skis also work well on groomed snow as well so personally I don’t see a downside to fatter skis, and then when you get deeper snow they are awesome.


Return to “Snow / Land”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 123 guests