Snowkiting Near Salt Lake City

Things to know

• Covid measures in Salt Lake City

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Salt Lake City, please refer to the official website of the State of Utah.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Why should I book with 57hours?

  With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

• Why should I go snowkiting?

  Snowkiting combines kiteboarding and skiing or snowboarding into one fun winter sport. Gliding through the air, while wind and snow rush past you sounds heavenly, but trust us, it feels even better!

  Everyone can do it, even if you don’t have any prior windsport experience. It is easier to learn than kiteboarding — it is easy to stand on snow and requires less wind to get you moving, which makes the whole process easier. And no, you can’t fly away! The equipment is designed to move how you want it to move, but it will seem like you’re flying, which is the best part. If you ask us, there’s really no reason not to try it!

• What’s included?

  Here is what you get in this adventure:

  • Lessons or private touring with an experienced, professional snowkiting guide
  • Level 1 and 2 Courses include kiting gear (harness, kite, bar)

  What’s not included:

  • Transportation
  • Snacks and meals
  • Ski or snowboard equipment (skis/ski boots or board/board boots) (available for rent)
  • Helmet (available for rent)
  • A private day of instruction or backcountry tour does not include kite gear (available for rent)
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • Helmets can be rented from Utah Snowkite Center or AJMotionSports
  • Skis, snowboards and boots can be rented from Utah Snowkite Center or AJMotionSports
  • Kiting equipment rentals are available at Utah Snowkite Center

  Equipment rental locations are in Salt Lake City or Sandy, UT. Make sure your rentals are arranged at least 48 hours prior to your snowkiting course or private tour.

  If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• What do I need to bring?

  For snowkiting, you will need to bring:

  • Skis or a snowboard and boots (can be rented)
  • Helmet (can be rented)
  • For private lessons or private touring, you will need to bring your own kiting gear (can be rented)

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • Face mask (neoprene works best) and a balaclava
  • Waterproof jacket 
  • Waterproof pants
  • Sweatshirt or thin micro-fleece jacket
  • Fleece pants
  • Base layer
  • Warm socks
  • Fleece neck scarf
  • Thermal gloves and waterproof gloves
  • Protective gear: knee and elbow protection, impact vests — optional
  • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 24-35L bag)
  • High-quality sunglasses
  • High-index sunscreen and lip balm
  • Water bottle or a thermos
  • Camera — optional

  This list will be finalized with your guide prior to the day of your adventure.

• What if I’ve never snowkited before?

  If you’re new to kiting, lessons will benefit you immensely. Technically, all you need to know to get started is how to stand on skis or a board, but you’ll progress much faster with an instructor. 

  An instructor will make sure you’re safe while you get the hang of it, and will teach you the skills to become a competent independent snowkiter.  

  Keep in mind that you should feel confident on skis or a boar, as ski/board instruction is not within the scope of these courses. Any time spent instructing skiing or snowboarding is time that is taken away from your kite instruction. Advanced courses require that you have all basic snowkiting skills and can ride both upwind and downwind. 

• What's a typical lesson itinerary?

  Level 1 and Level 2 Courses: 

  Courses typically begin at 9:00am. The 4 hours of lessons includes:

  • Steps for proper and safe snowkiting
  • Safety and self-rescue instruction
  • Flying the kite
  • Riding on the board or skis with the kite depending on your progress

  Additional instruction and kite practice is available for an additional $50 per hour.

  A Private Day with an Instructor:

  This day typically begins at 9:00 am and is a minimum of 3 hours on the snow. Your day will be fully customized to match your objectives. You and your guide will discuss skills development, and whatever else you’d like to focus on. From there, your guide will plan the perfect day tailored just for you taking into consideration factors such as weather and snow conditions. 

  Backcountry Snowkiting Tour:

  This is a full day of snowkiting and backcountry touring that typically begins at 9:00 am. Fully customized to match your skill level and objectives, you and your guide will discuss route selection, skills development, and whatever else your group would like to focus on. From there, your guide will plan the perfect day taking into consideration factors such as weather and snow conditions.

• How fit do I have to be to snowkite?

  The only thing your instructor will expect from you is that you know how to ski or snowboard, but of course, being in good shape helps. Strength isn’t a necessary component to successful snowkiting; it’s all about the technique, which is why it’s the perfect sport to lake lessons as a beginner. 

  As you progress, you can move to larger kites, which generate more power and are more physically demanding, but if you’re just starting out, if you can ski or snowboard and hold on to a kite, you are good to go!

• Is there a minimum age requirement?
  • Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this snowkiting adventure.
  • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• What about group sizes and pricing?
  • Level 1 and Level 2 Courses are small group-run classes and are priced per person.
  • Private instruction is 1:1 with your guide and is priced per person.
  • Private backcountry tours have a max client to guide ratio of 5:1. The cost per person decreases as the group grows, making it the perfect opportunity to snowkite with family or friends.
• What about bad weather?

  Snowkiting lessons are scheduled to fit with the ideal wind and weather conditions. As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation,” so make sure you bring the right gear. Inclement weather can always pose a challenge, but your instructor will be prepared for anything and will present suitable alternatives, like moving to a nearby location.

  Despite your instructor’s best forecasting efforts, sometimes fickle wind requires that lessons need to be called off. In this case, your remaining booked hours will be rescheduled for a more favorable day. If no arrangements can be made, you will be issued a full refund.

• Cancellation policy

  With 57hours, you benefit from both our own cancellation policy as well as that of the individual guiding service that delivers your adventure. All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure, but rest assured that our own cancellation policy will work on top of what is provided by your guide.

  For this adventure, 57hours offers a Moderate Cancellation Policy, which states:
  If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. For cancellations fourteen (14) to twenty nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations zero (0) to thirteen (13) days in advance, the Client is not entitled to any refund.

  For more information on terms and conditions, please visit our Terms of Service page.

• Getting there and meeting location

  Courses and private days will be held around Salt Lake City, Park City and the surrounding areas depending on wind and snow conditions. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your adventure.