Windzup taking new 07 Snowkites to Skyline for rides

[windzup]

Regardless of conditions we are heading out to Skyline this weekend to see what we may find. The new range of 2007 Ozone Snowkites are in and we are hoping for our first on snow tests of the new season. If there is not enough snow to ride, we will still be able to fly the kites and see the performance gains in the new line.

We have the Access 2, which can handle the gustiest conditions, the 07 Frenzy and the new Manta, a Chasta signature model that was developed here at Skyline last year.

It's pretty sweet actually, having one of our primary Snowkite designers spending winters in Utah, we are now seeing the kites designed for our own local and gusty conditions. Rob built both the Access and Frenzy's with way more stability this year, after realizing that "you yanks are willing to ride in shite conditions". He incorporated improved performance and increased the forgiving nature of each.

The Manta was actually created from the big cornice flying that the boyz were getting into at Skyline last winter. They wanted a kite for the 'Chasta' type that had great gliding performance, smooth arcing power when looped, and of course be built bombproof like the Frenzy.

Anyway, I'm excited to have the finished product debut on the snow where it was originated just months before. Any other over zealous snow junky types are incouraged to join us.
Maybe we should have a ski/stump burn as a sacrifice for a deep winter?

Windzup,
Brian Schenck


Pray for

[MikE mAy]

is there a weather link for skyline drive? what are the normal indicators? i'm thinking about heading down to partake in the pre-winter festivities but am contemplating the 1 hr 45min drive. i'd like to say i'm only going if its windy, but i'm also terribly excited for the snow.

anyway, what are the normal weather checks for this spot.

anyone interested in making a list or webpage for snowkiting spots like we have for water kiting?

[Kenny]

Mike,

I check the following when looking at weather for Skyline.

1. I check the winds aloft on the Utahwindriders weather page the same day as I plan to ride. I pay particular attention to the windspeed at 10,000 feet. Skyline is good from just about any direction.

2. I click on the NOAA SLC Forecasts link and check out the Utah forecasts. I pay particular attention to the forecast for the Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs forecast. If it mentions wind and no snow, you usually are golden. If it mentions over 4 " of snow, it may be a whiteout. It can still be windy even if there is no mention of wind, but it will usually be lighter.

3. On the same NOAA page as the SLC forecast, I click on the Prototype Digital Forecast. A map of Utah will come up with a dialog box above it. Click on the table button. For forecast interval, click on the 1 hour button. On the map, you will want to click on Skyline Drive. It is located to the east of Nephi and west of Price. You will see a green mountain range with a white ridge between Nephi and Price. I click on the north end of the ridge.

4. On ikitesurf there is a wind vector page. I click on the noon, 3 PM, and 6 PM forecasts and I look in the far SE corner. This is a paysite, so you may not want to bother with it.

Based on what I can see today, the forecast for tomorrow looks very light at Skyline for tomorrow, but sometimes it is just a crapshoot. Especially, this early in the year, there may or may not even be enough snow to ride. However, you may want to go there and fly some kites with Brian and check out the terrain.

Kenny

[windzup]

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/ ... -111.20375

The weather shows light post-frontal winds at SKyline...but you never know. My main goal is to check the snow depth, and find out if its an early season hoax or a snowkiters dream reality. I only really have hopes for the main flat area, all the other stuff will get blown off or has to much terrain to cover, but last year we were rock-boarding the flats by the mile marker 14 post on about 12 inches.

Of course anyone heading out this early in the year should watch out for rocks and other barely covered obstacles.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck