Kiting (School Year) | Recreational Sports Outdoor Program

Harness the power of the wind!

Did you know...
Frozen inland lakes and the St. Louis River Basin near Duluth offer steady winds and open spaces for you to explore the excitement of snow kiting. The concept behind snow kiting is very basic: use the power generated from a large controllable kite to propel yourself across the snow or ice while riding a snowboard, alpine skis or even ice skates. Kites come in many sizes for use in specific wind conditions and are designed with open cell foils or inflatable chambers. Equipment consists of a kite, lines, control bar, harness and helmet. A Minnesota winter is the best time to learn the basics and snow kiting skills are very useful for those who wish to pursue kiting on the water. Come on out and join the fun!

Snow Kiting Pass and Island Lake Sessions

Chase the wind with us. We have dedicated four weekends to snow kiting as place holders on our schedule and will send email notices for additional lake outings on windy days. Cost: $65 UMD Student Member/$135 Others. Registration: Opens Tuesday, January 19th at 9:00am. Twelve passes will be offered.

Island Lake snow kiting sessions are for all UMD RSOP Kite Pass holders. If the forecast calls for at least 10mph winds, it’s time to attach your alpine skis or snowboard to your feet and learn to glide along using the kite’s power. Stay upwind by flying the kite with precision in the power zones and setting your skis or snowboard edge in the snow. Try flying the kite in a pattern that lifts you up in the air. You must be able to safely launch, steer, de-power, & relaunch the kite before traveling away from the supervised launch area and then you can feel the rush of a downwind speed run. At Island Lake a snowmobile will assist beginners that need help getting back up wind. What a rush!
11AM–5PM, JANUARY 21, 28 FEBRUARY 4, 11, 18, 25
We Provide: kites, harness, helmets, instruction with snowmobile support.
You Provide: transportation to Island Lake, alpine or telemark skis and boots or snowboard and boots, helmet, snow pants, jacket with hood, mittens, hat, sunglasses, water bottle, snacks
Skill Level: Open to all Kite Pass holders Meet: At designated lake, maps provided
Cost: $65 UMD Student Members/$135 Others
Registration opens Monday, November 28, 9am

Kite Introduction Sessions

Learn to be a safe and efficient kite pilot with Professional Air Sport Association (PASA) Trained Snow Kite Instructor Randy Carlson and staff. We will introduce equipment design, safety concepts, harness use, kite launching, how to fly precision patterns, de-powering the kite for landing and proper storage. When you put it all together, you will be able to use the kite to pull yourself on short reaches across the softball field.
Tuesdays, 11am–1pm, Dec 6, 13, Jan 17
Fridays, Noon-2pM, Dec 9, 16, Jan 20
We Provide: Kites, Harness, Instruction
You Provide: Pants that can get grass stained, warm clothing that may include winter boots, snow pants, jacket with hood, mittens, hat, sunglasses.
Meet: RSOP Day Office, 153 SpHC
Cost per session: $8 UMD Student Members/$15 Others - Transferable to an alternate date if wind is less than 10 mph. All sessions available to Snow Kiting Pass holders. Deduct the Intro Session fee from your annual pass if you’re hooked.