Using the wind

HIGH AS A KITE: Sam Hird lets the kite do the talking on his second day at Cardrona.

Cardrona Valley magic with sweet spots is how Tim Stockman describes his snowkiting wonderland.

Skiing on a windy day can be a pain. Apart from the distraction, you have a good chance of having to cut your day short - chairlifts don't like strong wind.

So how about turning the wind to your advantage, bypassing the lifts and dodging the queues?

There is a way. It's called snowkiting. And, according to snowboarder Tim Stockman, it's guaranteed to put a smile on your dial. "As soon as I started kiteboarding I wanted to incorporate that with my snowboarding," he says. "The first time I snowkited was on a trip to Canada, and when I got back I tried different places around Canterbury that would work with the kites."

He eventually settled on Cardrona Valley, where he has found a "magic place" with reliable winds. Above the Snow Farm or across the valley at Cardrona are the sweet spots. And he should know - he's now organising regular trips for keen kiters through Snow Kite NZ, part of Kitesports, based in Christchurch.

Novice snowkiters are encouraged to head down for a weekend to get to grips with the sport. Transport is free and there's a small charge for overnight accommodation.

Lessons are aimed at competent skiers and boarders, although novices can be catered for. All gear is supplied. "It appeals to those that want to be in back-country terrain and want to experience slopes not normally accessible and be able to get back to the car in one day," says Stockman.

The cost of fresh-powder freedom? It varies from a startup kit of about $700 up to $1800 and beyond.

But there is a cheaper way. "There is a big market for secondhand gear, and you can pick up stuff for a few hundred dollars," he says.

Helping to push that along is the marked progression in development of the latest equipment, so kiters are starting to look for a place to drop their old gear.

Sounds to me like a good way to have more fun in the snow and acquire a new skill at the same time. Kites here I come.

- © Fairfax NZ News