Snowkite Railslides

[windzup]

Windzup is looking to add a few snowkite rails to our quiver, for use on regular weekends at Strawbs and Skyline and at the bigger events.

Figure it would be fun to session on, and something to help improve the skills of local riders.

Check out http://www.kabrails.com or http://www.planetsnowtools.com for examples.

What would everybody like to see? Jake B, got any ideas or favorite features?

Longer is always better, but shorter and lighter is better for a mobile snowkite application. Standard snowmobile trailers are 12 feet or longer. So a rail should be at least 12 feet, or a combination of 12 foot rails.

Slider/fun boxes are good for all levels of riding. This is my favorite personally. http://store.planetsnowtools.com/Terrai ... ew_product Any comments on this one? You could put two seperately, together in a horseshoe, or together in a S shape. A kiter can take off from or land on this one easily.

Looking for feedback, as I am going to buy soon and want to get something all will enjoy.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[MikE mAy]

well, as a rail newbie- i just can't get the hang of them or know why you would do them on skis, something with some width would be good. i think everybody could enjoy that even those that are more experienced because they could work on presses or something. i'm glad to see that you are investing some money into this and if you need any help, let me know. i work for a metal shop and can hook you up with steel and welding capabilities if you decide to go your own instead of purchasing.

give steve duke an email at kab. i used to coach with him at brighton and he will put his heart and soul into designing something that will be optimal for snowkiting. it is an outsiders perspective, but it seems that some rail designs work better for snowkiting that others. i've never understood rainbow rails, but that C shape you posted looks like it would work well with a kite. i'm curious to hear others input on rail design that are better jibbers than myself.

[Kenny]

Brian,

Rails - I will never understand them. Seems silly to me to ride on solid fixed-metal objects with the variable power of a kite. However, different strokes for different folks.

The more important question at hand - Did Skyline get any snow on Saturday???

Kenny

[lesvierra]

I never understood rails or boxes either. That is what management at ski resorts thought as well. However, now they think they are a necessity at the resorts. Good for newschool appeal and promo of the sport. Some times its fun to be a kid again and do something stupid.

[Jacob Buzianis]

Countless hours of carving, powder cruising, hang-gliding, and wakesytling, it time for something different. RAILS, another combination to add to your bag of tricks. After 20 yrs hitting rails with my skateboard, snowboard, and kite, it has bring more excitement to the sports. It not for the old school rider but it diffinitly for the new school riders that would like to do it.

here a list of rails I would like to see this Winter at snowkite park-

Funbox-Flat at least 15ft and a foot wide. (Beginner)

Battleship Box Style Rail- at least 30ft (intermediate to expert). It can be separated into three pieces for transporting it.

Rainbow rail- at least 30ft long, a foot wide, and 6 ft tall. (intermediate to expert) It can be separated into two pieces for transporting it.

Mailbox Rail-at least 15ft (Beginner)

Roller Coaster- at least 30ft (intermediate to expert). It can be separated int three pieces for transporting it.

Rainbow Rail- at least 30ft (Beginner)

Flat Rail-at least 20ft (Beginner)

These would be my mellow and easy rails picks for everyone. If you want the technical rails get the C and S shape rails, double or triple kinks rails and super long rails. These would my favorite rail to jib on but they are not easy to rail on. They required perfect speed and timing to get on it. Too fast or too slow will be a crash and boink deal.

Let me know when you get them. I'm more then happy to help you on where to set them up at Skyline or Strawberry.

[Kenny]

There is plenty of room to set them up at Strawberry. Skyline is another matter. They would have to be away from the primary launching/landing area and the the area immediately downwind as it gets very congested in there. Perhaps up on the ridgeline or upwind from the launch area in the flat area below the hill. Or perhaps on the west side of the road. I think that area makes the most sense because it has the least traffic.

Yes, I am old school/old man, almost Team Advil.

Kenny

[Marty Lowe]

I think kickers, boxes and rails sound like fun.
I can't wait to try them out.
I'm gonna wear by hip pads and helmet.

-Marty

Only rarly take Advil.....
Hope to keep it that way...

[Craig Goudie]

Buddy, you are still a youngster, I'm with team Perc these days. ;*)
It's not the years, it's the miles, and I wouldn't give up a single one.

-Craig

Yes, I am old school/old man, almost Team Advil.

Kenny

[windzup]

Good stuff, I like the full list Jake, we'll start with at least a couple and work our way to bigger features.

Two features that connect together would be good, I realize more and more that 12 feet long is about 1.5 seconds of rail time. It would be nice to have ONE big one.

I am definitely looking at rails with a wider surface. I am a beginner jibber, and realistically I assume 95% of all snowkiters are new to jibbing with a kite on. There just aren't that many jib opportunities for kiters...yet.

I personally fear thin rails, like the single round ones, I prefer double or triple tubes or flat square tubes. I'm really psyched with the 'box top' T rails that have a fun box surface that is wide, but built on a lighter weight single rail base.

The other thought is shape. It seems the wind forces us to run in two distinct directions. So the more universal the shape the better. I like the C-rail as I imagine being able to edge or push against the kite better while railing along. Maybe not tho...

I hadn't thought of a mailbox, that actually looks like the ultimate Snowkite jib feature....but how hard is it to move? I suppose it could be cut into sections. Hittable from all directions tho, Nice.

At Strawbs and Skyline, we could get away with leaving them out overnight, but the Forest Service will be adamant about their removal as they do not want permanent structures left out on public lands. So portability is key for our kiting applications. The guys at Kab seem very open to building something to our demands, so it's looking good.

Thanks for the thoughts and keep them coming. If it goes right, we'll all be wearing body armor and poopping advil by the end of winter

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[Marty Lowe]

poopping advil by the end of winter

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

LOL....MLOL.....ROFL.........


-Marty