1/12/8 Pow Mow 13m Instinct

[Augie]

I got some new ski's last week and thought I would give them a try at Pow Mow. Of course, you can't leave the kites at home so I brought them too. When I arrived at the Hidden Lake parking lot @ 1030 there wasn't even a whisper of a breeze. After 2 ski runs I thought I could feel the wind starting to stir. I went to my car and picked up the Instinct. The wind was coming out of the west and I started hiking to the top of the ridge to get the most out of it. I only got halfway to the top when I figured I had enough to start rigging. The wind was marginally enough to kite with but still fun. After about an hour 2 more kiters showed up. Jody and his brother-in-law Justin were flying a 14m frenzy and swapping out rides. Justin had his first good kite session and was stoked. By the time I left @ 3:00 I was halfway depowered and hauling ass across the snow. The clouds kept coming in and out all day but visibility wasn't bad at any time. The new ski's (Black Diamond Verdict's) are big, wide, and stiff with a bit of a twin tip- they just float on the ungroomed stuff.
Also, while talking to Jody he said they bought an all area pass. I told him next time buy a $20 kiter pass and save some money. He was unaware that they sold them.