You can call it snowkite, snowkiting or kite snow, it’s the sport that comes from the merger of two disciplines: kitesurfing, that is, aboard a surfboard carried by a sail and snowboard.
Slip on the snow on skis or boards driven by the force of the wind, in complete autonomy from the ski lifts, on flat routes or on slopes where the speed will be given by the power of the wind and the size of the sail.
The protagonist and unique scenario of this sport is L’Etna (Mungibeddu or simply ‘a Muntagna in Sicilian), the highest active volcano on the European continent, with a height of 3.340 m. s.l.m.
The Lady (Etna) as always gave the show. Between lava flows and rich effusive choreographies of fumes and ashes thrown from the main crater, its white and snow-covered slopes in these days have been colored by the vivid shades of the sails that transport athletes and lovers of this discipline on board their boards among the snow of the volcano.
Any snow-covered floor is suitable for snowkiting. Unlike kitesurfing, snowkiting can also be practiced with a slight breeze.
To overcome the resistance of the water a good wind power and considerable size sailing surfaces are required. To move on the snowkite, small sails powered by a light wind are sufficient.
The type of wing used for towing on both water and snow is called “kite”
For those who are passionate about it and can’t wait to try it, let’s get some more information on this fascinating sport.
Kites are divided essentially into two categories Inflatable kites or Kite with boxes.
The driving systems used, instead, are essentially two, Knobs or Control bar
The snow equipment, is the classic but with small tricks;
The snowboards to be combined with kitesnow are those commonly found on the market for snowboarding, with an average length of 140, 150 cm. If you choose skiing instead of the table, you can use most ski mountaineering except for cross-country skiing.
The traction force of the sail is discharged on the table or on the skis through a harness called trapeze, which can be Trapezoid band or Trapezio with seat.
For personal protection, it is always necessary to use the helmet and any body protection. Furthermore, it is advisable to always wear gloves, to protect your hands from snow but above all to prevent possible bruises due to contact with cables and abrasive moving parts. For safety it is also important to always have a mobile phone to always stay connected and, eventually, to avoid practicing solo snowkiting, an adventure companion can often be providential in dangerous situations.
Snowkiting is a very fun and engaging sport but equally challenging and formative from a physical point of view. In addition to training the muscles of the lower part of the body, as well as with skiing or snowboarding, it also stimulates the upper part in a strong way. The effort made by the skier to hold and control the sail is remarkable. A few hours’ excursion on snowkiting allows you to fully train your whole body.
In short Sicily among its wonderful places made of jagged coasts and splendid white beaches, offers, for your holidays, also this: the possibility of skiing on the volcano pulled by kites.
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