We love boards… not only the kiteboard, the surfboard or wakeboard also our snowboard. That’s why we “escape” once a year from the sunny beaches and perfect waves of the Algarve to the snowy summits of the Swiss Alps. If you like skiing and snowboarding St. Moritz features 350 kilometres of the biggest variety of winter sport terrain in Switzerland.
In between 1750-3300 altitude, shined by 322 days of sun per year (sounds like the Algarve) St. Moritz offers fantastic on and off-piste runs for every level, an enormous snow park with tons of different obstacles and…wind!
The Location
The famous Maloja Wind and the create one of the best kiting areas of Europe. In the wintertime the frozen and snow covered surface of the Silvaplana Lake allows beginner and advanced to ride snowboards and skies only powered by the wind. The experts ride the surrounding mountains and terrain. Some call it cross training… we just call it fun.
Snowkiting
Snowkiting is a much older sport than kiteboarding. Already hundred years ago people in Scandinavia used kites to cover great distances over snowfields. With the modern kites it is possible to achieve the same sensation of gliding and jumping like in kitesurfing.
Like good ol` Jack said:
Snow is only frozen water!
Beginners
Snowkiting is a great introduction to kitesurfing and much easier to learn since the kiter will not sink on the firm snow surface. Also considerate beginners will learn quick since they can use less powerful kites due to the reduced friction on snow. Crashes are not as hard since the kite will hold you up in the air, softening the landing. Still a helmet and appropriate safety systems are obligatory.
Advanced
Advanced kitesurfers pick up snowkiting very quick. Usually after a short introduction period they are able to cruise up and downwind on a snowboard or skies. The advanced Snowkiter can decide where he or she want to take the sport: Cruising over big snowfields enjoing nature, hitting kickers and sliding picnic tables or big mountain riding with huge jumps.
Equipment
One great thing about snowkiting is that we don´t need special equipment for it. The regular snow- and kiteboarding equipment will do just fine. But here some tips you might want to consider before packing.
Kite
Regular kiteboarding- or power kites are fine. Remember: we can use smaller kite than on water due to the reduced friction.
Board&Skies
Any freestyle/freeriding board or ski will do. To get the real kiteboarding feeling snowboards work better than skies, but skies will make the handling easier and the second edge will give you more grip in icy conditions. The stance should be centred on the board in a “duck” stance position since we have to ride fakie half the time. The bindings should have as little heel drag as possible so wider boards are a plus.
Boots
Soft and light since snowkiting boots do not need as much support as usual mountain riding boots, it is also easier to hike in them.
Cloths
Your regular waterproof snow cloths work perfect for snowkiting but don´t dress to warm you will be moving a lot.
