There are a lot of videos of snowkiters at Jackson Hole, Wyoming getting some serious hang time and basically using their kites a lot like paragliders. (Like this one: http://vimeo.com/83399030) But I just can't help but wonder if that's such a good idea - if anything breaks they are in serious trouble. Trees, rocks, and ice are a lot harder than water.
I know the chance of a line, chicken loop, harness failure or canopy rip are small. But is that chance small enough to risk such a deadly fall? I can't imagine trusting my life to the tiny little metal loop that attaches my chicken loop to the QR mechanism. And then there was that time my canopy unexpectedly ripped apart...
What do you guys think? Is the high (literal and figurative) worth the risk? Or is it just a matter of time before one of these guys gets killed? This looks a lot like BASE jumping or wingsuit flying to me - super rad, but way too risky. Sure looks like fun though...