Hi,

Looking for some info on snow kiting in NSW. I know there are some guys on here that are into it.

Please advise locations, kite sizes, access points to locations, tips etc. We have a few lads interested in giving it a try down this way.

Cheers,

EB

We (a bunch of SUCKers www.facebook.com/groups/sydneyunicrazykiters ) were planning on going snowkiting this weekend but eventually decided to stay in Sydney and enjoy the southerly as all the snow melted last week.
In NSW Thredbo is the way to go, taking the Kociuszko Express chairlift then Karells T-Bar to reach the top, then reach the northern side and walk up a bit to reach that big flat area.

Smaller kite size are preferred as you need very little power to start moving on the snow and you can reach high speed easily. But then it's also easier to edge hard so you can handle quite a lot of power, so depend on your level and experience.

Thing is weather can change quickly in the mountains, and wind is usually super gusty because of the landscape. Also be careful if it gets foggy, being out of the resort it's easy to get lost if everything turns white and you can't even see your buddies' kite 20m away.

As for the feet, skis are a good choice make it easier to go uphill and move around when the wind is light. Snowboard is a bit more hassle but more kitesurf-like feeling and great for jumps and tricks.

Enjoy!

60cm at OHAU ski field in New Zealand wish I was there right now with more snow on the way!
Ski fields not even open yet, would be epic.

Do you have to pay for a full day lift pas just to get up the to the plateau probably once for the day of snow kiting on the plateau.I know aussie resorts are some of the biggiest rip offs in the world for lift tickets.I would suck to pay over a $100 just to go up once!

diamond2001 said..

Do you have to pay for a full day lift pas just to get up the to the plateau probably once for the day of snow kiting on the plateau.I know aussie resorts are some of the biggiest rip offs in the world for lift tickets.I would suck to pay over a $100 just to go up once!

You can walk up through dead horse gap - after walking it I know how it got its name. (Too outta way, good walk in summer though)

PS: I could basically have painted the whole range blue on that google map, but it's really just to get people started safely and give them an idea of the possibilities

diamond2001 said..

Do you have to pay for a full day lift pas just to get up the to the plateau probably once for the day of snow kiting on the plateau.I know aussie resorts are some of the biggiest rip offs in the world for lift tickets.I would suck to pay over a $100 just to go up once!

No you don't.get a Kosciusko express only ticket.you won't be able to use any t bars with that ticket (they have access gates that wont let u thru)so if you want to get to the cocks harbor area you'll have to walk but it's worth it .alternately get a lift pass and do some kiting on the side when the wind and weather are good.i usually set up at the top of karels and head sw towards dead horse gap and then up th first ridge up to cocks Barbour area in the predominantly westerly wind.it can be pretty gusty with some nasty wind shadow areas too but and be quite a challenge and dangerous as ther are plenty of rocks .the safest option is to walk up from the top of karels (about 15 mins) whichever gets you onto the plateau and nice smooth wind.

Forecast starting to suggest a possibility of golden conditions in the NSW mountains this Sunday/Monday (7-8th July) coming.... Cold airstream with snow followed by a W-SW wind for a day or so. In my experience this is as good as it gets in July, (usually it's rock hard and icy up top at this time of year.)

So, as long as the forecast holds, who's keen to head down from Newcastle/Sydney? Porkyhorse is busy, Floaty is in Fiji... come on you mob. I can show you all the choice spots.