Beyond the Chairlift
Why Snow kiting is the Ultimate Winter Adventure
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you know the drill. You wake up early, fight traffic up the canyon, pay an arm and a leg for a lift ticket, and stand in line just to hunt for a few stashes of untracked powder. By lunchtime, the runs are chopped up, the resort is crowded, and you’re bound by the strict boundaries of the trail map.
But what if you could ditch the lift lines entirely? What if the wind became your personal chairlift, pulling you uphill, across open alpine plateaus, and into untouched powder fields as far as the eye can see?
Welcome to the world of snow kiting—winter’s best-kept secret.
What Exactly is Snow kiting?
Think of snow kiting as the winter evolution of kitesurfing. Instead of riding on water, you’re on your standard skis or snowboard, harnessed to a high-performance snow or LEI kite (leading edge inflatable).
Because snow has significantly less friction than water, it doesn't take much wind to get moving. A gentle breeze can propel you across frozen lakes, over rolling hills, and—yes—even straight up mountainsides. It turns the flat, unrideable terrain of the backcountry into a vast, three-dimensional playground.
The Ultimate Backcountry Freedom
The true magic of a snow kiting tour is the sheer sense of freedom. When you harness the power of the wind, the traditional rules of gravity no longer apply.
Uphill is the new downhill: You can cruise up a 20-degree slope with zero effort, carve your way across a mountain ridgeline, and then drop down the other side.
Infinite fresh tracks: We take you far beyond the boundaries of standard ski resorts. There are no crowds, no ropes, and no tracked-out bowls. Every turn you make is on pristine, untouched snow.
A true full-body flow state: Snow kiting is an incredibly dynamic sport. It combines the technical finesse of kitesurfing with the adrenaline of winter sports. Once you lock into the wind, everything else disappears.
Are You Ready to Catch the Wind?
Because snow kiting takes place in the raw, beautiful backcountry, our tours are designed for true winter enthusiasts looking to level up their skills. It’s a physical, exhilarating sport that rewards grit and technique.
To get the most out of your day with us, here is what you need to bring to the table:
Solid Mountain Skills: You don't need prior kite flying experience, but you do need to be a confident intermediate-to-advanced skier or snowboarder. You should be comfortable controlling your speed, stopping, and riding variable, un-groomed snow. (Snowboarders—practicing your switch riding ahead of time is a huge bonus!)
A Baseline of Endurance: Snow kiting uses your core, legs, and stabilizing muscles to oppose the pull of the kite. Think of it as a full-body workout wrapped in pure adrenaline. If you can handle a full day of aggressive resort riding, you’ve got the fitness for this.
An Appetite for Adventure: We provide the expertise, safety gear, and top-tier coaching. You bring your sense of adventure, your warmest layers, and a craving for something entirely different.
Ditch the Lines. Chase the Wind.
Winter is too short to spend it waiting in lines. Whether you want to learn the basics of wind theory on a wide-open frozen plain or explore deep backcountry powder fields with a KA certified instructors, our snow kiting tours offer an experience you will never forget.
Spaces for the season are limited.
Want to prep your gear? Check out our Mandatory Backcountry Gear blog The Ultimate Pre-Flight Checklist to make sure you have the right layers and wind protection before we head out into the elements!
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