kite size for colorado

[mbevo]

Heading back to colorado end of december for 2 weeks to try to snowkite for the first time. I can only pack 2 kites due to luggage size. I have a 14m, 10m, and 8m, what kites do you recommend me bringing? Planning to kite lake dillon or rabbit ear pass what are the usual wind conditions?

[Dave_5280]

14 & 10 since I've always used my 12 on Dillon, never my 7, both are Frenzy's. Wind usually picks up about noon or 1 on Dillon but the lake may not be frozen enough to safely kite till January, but the inlet land will be ok if there's good snow cover. Loveland pass got 7 inches today so it is looking like a good winter. Never kited Rabbit Ears but used to drive it and snow was always very deep.

[mbevo]

awesome thanks for the advice! looking forward to a good winter!

[matthepp]

I agree with Dave. If it's blowing 8m, it's usually whiteout, or so gusty that you'll die.
8" today on Red Mountain Pass, here we go!

[nate76]

Greetings fellow Colorado compatriots. I was going to append this to the kite-a-rado thread but I see this one is active.

So I've got a question: what is normally the earliest you all have kited Snow Mesa? I am really interested in getting out that direction this winter.

As far as kite sizes in CO, I would agree with Dave & Matt: I fly foil kites so by the time wind speeds suggest an 8m or less, its typically so gusty that kite flying is no longer safe/and-or enjoyable (for me anyway).

Got some guys here on the front Range, we're planning on a trip to Rabbit Ears on 20 or 21 November. It will be my 1st time there, but they've experienced everything from uber-lightwind to 5m inflatable conditions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edaYFYdlClA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6irbn5UiQ0M

Rabbit Ears and Hoosier Pass are both showing 14" - let the games begin!
Snow Depth Reports

[NeWORBiT]

Hmmm. I've been getting consistent use of my Apex2 7.5m on snow and water.

It starts mid October on the high grassy mesas (careful, make sacrifices to the gods of P-Tex).
Been trying Sargents Mesa last couple weekends. It's convenient, 11,500' msl park n ride, but small and needs N wind.
Tomorrow I want to try Pool Table Mtn (East of Creede), connects to the huge Mesa Mountain area. If we can't get up to good terrain and snow we'll continue to SM.

Tony

[nate76]

Thanks Tony! Which road are you using to park and ride at Sargents Mesa? Are you using sleds to access Pool Table Mountain?

Looks like a lot of fun terrain over there.

[nate76]

Were you able to get out this weekend, Tony?

[NeWORBiT]

Lotsa hiking, a little flying.
Made the hike up to Snow Mesa from Spring Creek Pass trailhead. Nice snow coverage for this early. Boot top pow with a couple thin layers of dense older snow underneath. Waited 2 hours for wind to come up to 5 mph, launching the 15m took several attempts. The ultra light wind fun in great snow didn't last long. The wind dropped and it was time to head down anyway. Skied the whole way down, trying to pack down the snomo trial for future use.
Earlier this morning I checked out that Pool Table mountain road. Some nice terrain lower down for when we get more snow. Gonna need the sleds to access those plateaus by Mesa Mountain east of Creede.