snowkiting
south america

Snowkiting in South America...

Whether you ski, snowboard, kitesurf or haven't tried any of these exciting extreme sports, its time to enter a whole new world, grab some snowy air and fire across the flat bits at mad speeds. Its a great option for all you kite surfers out there facing the long cold winter months.

Snowkiting Argentina

Kite boarding is getting everywhere these days and the snow bound mountains of Europe are no exception. If you can ski or snowboard then attaching a kite will add a whole new dimension to your sport - UP!

Our snowkiting course is structured to take you through some of the theory and safety including kite set up and pack-down procedures. After that you'll be on to those first powered snowkite runs on your board or skis.

The aim of our structured snowkiting course is to get you self sufficient and safe then have fun travelling in all directions across the snow - UPHILL and down!

Snow kiting courses are managed centrally though our head office and are week-long, run in the Obertauern region of Austria at a purpose built snowkiting centre, or daily (5 hours) in South America.

Extreme Sports Cafe is one of the few companies offering the opportunity to experience snow kiting, with over five years experience in the field. The 2004 season may just have ended, but we are already planning a wicked range of snow kite trips for next season, everything from beginner courses, to expeditions and even cheeky snow kite weekends to make use of all these new low cost flight packages into Europe, or hops down to South America.

Snow kiting uphill...

The main beginner and improvers courses in the 2005 season will be based in the Austrian Alps at a purpose built snow kite centre, and near Tierra Mayor Valley (Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina), 23 km to the North of Ushuaia City. Extreme Sports Cafe will be working alongside our Austrian snow kite partner, Kiteschule Obertauren, and our South American school to get you up and running. The 2005 season will also see the introduction of the new IKO snowkiter cards, which builds on it’s already sucessful kite surf beginner training packages. So you can be assured that all of your training will of the highest standard and internationally recognised.

Also in 2005, Extreme Sports Cafe will be runing a number of specialist trips for the more experienced snow kiter to a whole range of top snow locations around the world. So if you fancy a week of crossing the snowy outback in Iceland for example, keep watching this space for the coming programme or contact us now to be placed on the snow kite mailing list.

Launching a Snow Kite...

The snow kite beginner courses are ideal for individuals and groups. Primarily the courses are aimed at people who can already ski or snowboard. However, Extreme Sports Cafe can happily cater for beginners, who can use the week to learn to ski or snowboard. So fear not if you are in a mixed group. The big plus of snow kiting is when there is no wind you just hit the slopes. Teaching sessions are organised with the rest of your holiday in mind giving you plenty of time to play on the slopes and party!!

Extreme Sports Cafe links at each resort will connect you to the right people to learn the snow art. Extreme Sports Cafe will also supply all your snow kiting equipment as well as organise rental of skis, boards and boots if needed.

Price: US$100

Duration: 5 Hours

Covered in this Snowkiting course:

• Snowkite equipment carrying and setup.
• Wind direction determination.
• Knowledge of snowkiting safety systems.
• Piloting at the top of the "window", underpowered.
• Piloting a snowkite from right to left on the edge of the "window".
• Launching your snowkite and landing at the edge of the "window" with an assistant.
• Piloting your snowkite in the power zone, underpowered.
• Knowledge of snowkiting terminology.
• Landing your snowkite alone and walking to the snowkite.
• Piloting your snowkite in the power zone.
• Piloting your snowkite with a harness.
• One handed snowkite piloting.
• Self launch of your snowkite from the ground.
• Awareness of wind effects whilst snowkiting and the dangers involved (mountains, hills, trees).

Price: US$100

Duration: 5 Hours

Covered in this Snowkiting course:

• Setup of your snowkiting equipment alone (kite, lines and bar).
• Incident simulation. Using the kick release (piloting whilst the body is facing backwards).
• Walking with the snowkite to different points.
• Piloting the snowkite from one side to the other side of the wind "window" and passing through the power zone.
• Piloting the snowkite one handed and applying the skills learned above.
• Theory of snowkite startL Position of the body, the board and the kite, piloting.
• Strapping on yor board.
• Generating steady pull in your starting position on the board.
• Snow start.
• First ride.... Let's go snowkiting!

Price: US$100

Duration: 5 Hours

Covered in this Snowkiting course:

• Snowkiting priority rules.
• Snowkiting with power.
• Changing direction whilst snowkiting to go up and down wind.
• Holding an edge with the board.
• Choosing the right size kite for your snowkiting.
• Methods of flying the kite so that you can de-power the kite.
• Up wind snowkiting.
• Where to focus whilst snowkiting so that you keep the correct course.
• Switching direction whilst snowkiting.
• Theory of jumping whilst snowkiting.
• First Jump... Piloting the kite from one side to the 12 o'clock position.

The kites which we use for teaching snowkiting are Frenzy '05 made by Ozone. These kites are extraordinary because they offer such high performance on the snow. The third generation of their design means that they have been perfected to give you many more features and enhanced control and safety whilst snowkiting.

The Frenzy '05 is the top of the range from Ozone traction kites. These kites are 4 line kites and come with control bar security system, brake and trimmer.

We suggest that if you have your own board for skiing or snowboarding then bring that. You will be used to it and that will help with the learning process when you start snowkiting. However, if you don't have your own we have plenty for you to choose from and will lend you one gladly.

If you want to buy your snowkiting equipment from us we can offer you the most up to date, and a very wide range of kites and boards at a discount rate for Extreme Sports Cafe Snowkiting students.

Extreme Sports Cafe is also a Pegas Kites dealer.. Contact us for more info..

Our snowkiting school in South America is located in Tierra Mayor Valley (Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina), 23 km to the North of Ushuaia City, and 5km to the South of Cerro Castor ski resort on national route 3.

From the city you can get access to Tierra Mayor valley by car or by using public transport. Public transport is provided throughout the day and cost $15 pesos (US$5) for a round trip.

The best way to get to Ushuaia is by plane from Buenos Aires using Aerolineas Argentinas. Tickets are priced from $326 pesos (US$114).

The forecast in Tierra Mayor valley and Ushuaia are perfect for snowkiting. Here we have the longest snow season in South America (from June to October) and this spot provides excellent wind conditions. Snowkite heaven!

To see the actual forecast please go to WindGuru.

This will open a window with the forecast information for our location.

Extreme Sports Cafe can introduce you to the best instructors and equipment in this exciting and rapidly growing sport.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US NOW TO START THE ADVENTURE…

For a personal consultation, or to book a course:give us a call, or log on for a live web chat...

For an information pack please complete our On-line Enquiry form.

Alternatively, drop us an email: info@extremesportscafe.com