Can You Use Kitesurf Gear for Snowkiting?
It is probably one of the first questions kitesurfers ask themselves before trying the sport: can you use your kitesurf gear for snowkiting?
After all, both disciplines use a kite, a bar and a harness. So why invest in new equipment when you already own everything you need to ride on the water?
The answer is simple: yes, you can use part of your kitesurf gear for snowkiting, but it is not always the most efficient or the most enjoyable option.
Here is what you should know before your first session.
Can you fly a kitesurf kite on snow?
Yes.
An inflatable kite works perfectly well on snow, and plenty of riders start out exactly that way.
If you simply want to discover snowkiting over a weekend, there is no need to buy a new kite straight away.
The limits do show up quickly, though.
Inflatable kites are generally heavier and need more wind to stay in the air. They are also less suited to long crossings and to the light wind conditions you often meet on wide snow plateaus.
That is why most regular riders fly foil kites.
Why foil kites are preferred
Foil kites offer several advantages in snowkiting.
They deliver more power in light wind, go upwind very efficiently and let you cover long distances with excellent glide.
On big plateaus such as Hardangervidda in Norway or in Finnish Lapland, they often keep you riding in conditions where an inflatable kite would struggle.
They also pack down smaller once folded, which is a real advantage when you travel.
That does not make an inflatable kite unusable, but if you plan to snowkite regularly, a foil kite will quickly become the better choice. Our snowkite gear buying guide goes through the sizes and models in detail.
Can you use your kitesurf bar?
Yes, but here again it depends on what you are after.
To discover the sport, a kitesurf bar does the job.
Bars made for snowkiting, however, have one important advantage: they usually come with a 5th line.
That fifth line lets you fully neutralise the kite when you release it. On snow, where a kite can keep sliding or be picked up by a gust, that extra level of safety is very welcome.
It also makes relaunching easier when the kite is lying flat on the snow.
It is one of the main differences between standard kitesurfing equipment and gear designed specifically for snowkiting.
Is the harness the same?
Yes.
Most riders use exactly the same harness as in kitesurfing.
Some prefer a waist harness to keep more freedom of movement, while others stay with a seat harness out of habit.
There is no absolute rule.
Can you use your kiteboard?
No.
In snowkiting, the board is replaced by skis or a snowboard.
The choice mainly depends on what you already ride.
Skiers often appreciate how easy it is to move across flat terrain, while snowboarders find sensations close to those of kitesurfing.
Both work perfectly well.
Should you buy gear before you start?
In most cases, no.
If you are discovering the sport, it is usually more interesting to rent equipment or to join a guided trip.
You will be able to try different kite sizes, find out what snowkite gear actually changes and get advice from experienced instructors before you invest.
This approach also saves you from buying equipment that would not match the way you ride.
What safety equipment do you need?
As with any mountain activity, a few items are essential.
A helmet is strongly recommended, along with goggles suited to winter conditions.
Breathable technical clothing, warm gloves and several layers will keep you comfortable all day long.
On plateaus and beginner spots, avalanche equipment is generally not required.
Riders who deliberately head into committed alpine terrain, on the other hand, carry a transceiver, a shovel and a probe, exactly as in ski touring.
So, should you use your kitesurf gear?
For a first taste, the answer is clearly yes.
Your inflatable kite, your bar and your harness will get you through your first runs and let you feel what snowkiting is about, without spending anything.
If you ride regularly, though, you will quickly understand why most riders choose foil kites and bars built specifically for snowkiting.
The best advice remains to start with what you already own, then upgrade your equipment as you progress. If you want to know what else changes once you leave the water, we covered it in from kitesurfing to snowkiting.
At Snowkite Sensation, we take out plenty of kitesurfers every season who discover snowkiting on their own gear, before we help them choose equipment that genuinely suits the way they ride. You will find our selection in our shop.
Further reading
If you want more information about the kite sizes to start with, you can read our article What Size Kite for Snowkiting?
If you want more information about the fifth line found on snowkite bars, you can read our article The Snowkite 5th Line.
If you want more information about choosing between skis and a snowboard, you can read our article Skis or Snowboard for Snowkiting?