Have some rather dumb questions. I'm new to snowkiting, been on the water for 5 years. I'm riding 09 Nemis and a 147 Elan Snowboard. I live in the OBX NC. If you havent heard of it its the meca for Kiteboarding. A very long narrow island off the coast of NC that sits 30 miles out. We recently had a "Snow" Storm hit us giving us 1-3 inches. Some friends and I got out this morning in a small field and put up 12's in 17 mph. My first time, and took to it with ease! I have a few trips planned in the next 2 months, one to Vermont and to Utah. Since I snowboard 3-5 times a year my gear is not up to par. I really plan on ramping up my winter sports in the future! I like my board and love my kites but its the accessory's I'm lacking. I can get a really good deal on gear from: Smith, Billabong, Oneil, Dakine, and any other surf/snow company out there. Can some one give me some advice?

K2 Cinch CTX's or Flows M11 or M9
Do I need Gloves or Mittens? Both?
Any Kite friendly Snow pants/Jackets?
Any recommendations on boots?


Thanks in advance!!!

Pics Of Snow kiting here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanelkus/

Cool photos... You've inspired me to look for a picnick table to jib this weekend.

I know a lot of guys like Flow Bindings for ease of entry, but if you're an advanced kiter, clicking into traditional bindings shouldn't be a problem while you keep your kite overhead.

You probably want gloves in order to have enough dexterity to deal with your kite lines. I use Outdoor Research ExtraVert Gloves because they're tough, warm (for their weight), and give me tons of dexterity: . If I'm in colder conditions, like below 10 degrees F, I wear large Outdoor Research Mittens over them while riding. Since my hands are more exposed to wind as I hold onto the bar, they're likely to get cold quickly.... That's why I double up with the large mittens. Here in North Dakota, we get temps below 0 F frequently.

If you're going to wear a waist harness, I suggest getting a snowkite jacket from Ultra Nectar or WildThings. Waist harnesses tend to 'ride-up' if they're warn over a jacket (they're designed to be warn directly against your skin). The snowkite jackets allow you to wear your harness underneath the jacket, so that the harness is closer to your skin and less likely to ride-up.

If you wear a seat harness or snowkite harness, don't bother with any snowkite specific pants or jacket... What's good for downhill snowboarding is generally good for snowkiting.

Good questions!
-Eric