Snowkite kite size calculator

How the calculator works

• The wind decides the size. Our reference on snow: at 5 m/s (about 10 knots), a 90 kg rider is comfortable on a 12 m foil kite. The stronger the wind, the smaller the kite, in proportion.
• Weight has very little effect on snow and only adjusts the result slightly. Snow offers far less resistance than water, so a heavier rider does not need a much bigger kite.
• Deep powder and a snowboard add drag, so they call for a little more power. Hard or icy snow and a beginner level call for a little less. An inflatable (kitesurf) kite needs about 3 m more than a foil.
• Two kites cover all conditions: usually a 6 m for strong wind and a 10 m for light wind. The calculator tells you which one to rig.
• If you kitesurf, the second tab uses our rule of thumb: on snow you ride around 3 m smaller than at sea, so a 12 m on the water is roughly a 9 m on snow.

This is a starting point, not a guarantee. Gusts, altitude, temperature and the model of kite all change the real feel. When in doubt, go smaller.

Try before you buy

On our trips, the instructors rig the right size for each rider every day, so you find out what suits you before investing.

Further reading

• What size kite for snowkiting?
• Can you use kitesurf gear for snowkiting?
• The snowkite 5th line