FYI

Every year at the end of August there is a snowkiting festival in Wanaka, New Zealand.

I've gone last couple of years, it's great fun.

It's called wanakite, I'll be headed over again this year, have already booked flights etc, thought I'd share the info, maybe some other Aussies are keen too?

Other than that, Falls creek, can't wait.

Will be buying a car pass again, hopefully hook up with few other kiters from Melbourne that want to share the stoke.

Hopefully lots of early snow and good conditions.

Might see you at Wanakite and Falls, only got in one session on the snow under the kite last year (only been kiteboarding for a year now, so was abit timid back then), but pretty keen to do it alot more this year up at Falls/Hotham and then back in NZ near Wanaka or Roundhill (or other spots if there is snow cover and wind) during the last week of August.

I heard that you can kite without having to use the lifts to access good terrain at Hotham (Im assuming that would be from the carpark at the top of the mountain), do you know much about this? The only spot I have come across without trees and wind obstructions was the top of the ruined castle at Falls (i think it was called that, near the bigger terrain park at falls). Used a 10m Best Nemesis and had a blast and am sure that my new 7m/10m North Vegas would be alot more fun (although not as safe as a foil kite... but oh well).

Falls creek IMHO is the ducks nuts for snowkiting.

Ruined castle flats eg near the ski field is the place to start, but once your confident check out the backcountry.

I've not kited or been to hotham yet, but look forward to checking it out too.

I've booked my flights already, while still cheap to NZ.

STOKED.

I'm hoping to have a crack at snowkiting this year -either in NZ or Aus. Do you guys have any advice for making the transition? I'm intermediate level kitesurfer. I'm wondering if I should hop onto a package deal that takes care of everything (gear, location, transport etc) or just try to wing it with my sea gear (got a 10m, 12m and 17). How did you guys get started?

Would be keen to hear of any good resources/resorts/shops you guys can recommend while I try to grok all of this information.

Take a look at this video on YouTube:

I've now paid for my 4wd's access permit at Falls Creek, 2013. Yep that's right, they charge just to use the road.

Does anybody have accommodation hookups or can maybe suggest a good lodge to join?

Also looking for other kiters/snowboarders in Melbourne that are keen come ride.

I plan to get up there as much as possible, or should I say as much as work will let me.

So thinking mostly weekends, not that lift lines will be an issue when using kites in backcountry.

I will be at Hotham 4th to 9th August staying in the village and wil be taking my 10m kite and harness to have a crack at snowkiting. Where are the areas to kite? From what i can work out it seems to be around the summit area, Cheers for info

Polycarb,
Had a quick look and seems like Oldina Ski club is reasonable...
Ill be keen for falls as much as possible!

Excellent.....

After much thought and planning based on my experience at Falls creek and snow/ wind predictions etc I would like to suggest date for first FALLS CREEK kite trip.

Sunday 23rd of June till Sunday 30th of June.

Reasons for this week:-

Any earlier and snow/base etc will be low, possibly patchy.

I predict snowfall on 24th of June, based on previous experience, also full moon which effects snowfall.

School holidays start the week after, eg at the end of the trip, meaning we will avoid the peak season rates and can enjoy shorter lift lines if no wind.

Can change the dates slightly to suit, as have not booked accommodation or applied for leave yet, but would like to get the ball rolling ASAP.

YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A FLASH KITER OR SKIER/SNOWBOARDER TO SNOWKITE, I've taught snowboarders who have never kited and kiters who have never been in the snow before.

Generally you use smaller kites than on the water, and the flat area you rig/start from is perfect for beginners.

So yeah, hopefully this suits a crew and we can collectively work something out, personally I can't wait.

KARL.

Another period that was really good last year was mid July, the week straight after school holidays is:-

Sunday 14th of July till Sunday 21st of July.

But it's peak season then, and I think I'd rather keep an eye on the weather and pick the weekends that look the best.

id be keen for the sat/sun/mon either side of that June week (I work tues-fri, and have already booked my leave for this year to go to fiji in July and nz in August, so will only be able to do weekends in oz)

Ok, so I'm headed to falls creek for the last weekend of June.

I plan to leave Melbourne Friday morning, and back Sunday.

Pm if your interested.

I could be keen for trip before this too, if the wind, weather and snow are ready to play their parts.

It's blowing tits off at the moment, need a twin tip for the lake because there is no snow!, I rode a water kite at falls last year and then went to Hotham to compare towards end of season. Falls has the whole setup, just boot it to the dessert and rig up, it has more plateaus so smoother wind. Cool back country with wind lips, jumps, cliffs, steep terrain and massive areas hard to get to, it's worth getting a job as a dishy and only work nights so you can spend a whole season here.

I will be heading up to Falls Creek on the 3-5 august with my kites so hopefully theres some wind to have a crack! Anyone else up there that weekend??