Things Learned While Snowkiting

I went out for my first snow-kite session of the year today and was reminded of a few little tips and tricks that I wanted to share.

• Carry an ice-screw with you: snow fields usually don't have many adequate anchor points for holding your kite before launching and after landing
• Warm your helmet: a cold helmet will rob your body of heat. Use the blower in your car to make it nice and toasty as you drive to your session. This has the added advantage of making it softer and more likely to shape to your head than a hard, cold rigid helmet.
• Warm your boots: same logic as the helmet, but more practical to warm them at home before putting them on.
• Don't forget your goggles
• Carry snowshoes if you are boarding: a boarder marooned in deep snow faces a long slog back to the car. Skiers can generally pole back if the wind drops.

If you are like me and use your water kite on the snow, there are few addition tips I have learned:

• Store the kite with the nozzle caps out: if you store the kite with the nozzle caps in, they will freeze in the more stretched position, making for a looser seal. Also, trying to open a closed, frozen nozzle is very difficult and is a good way to break the little connector because the plastic is rigid and brittle.
• Warm your kite: ideally, if you store your kite indoors the nozzles will be flexible and easier to work with.
• Check your pump: before you get out there, make sure the pump is working well in the cold.