A password will be e-mailed to you.

TestDummies1_Maria_Scott_James

If you’re thinking about upgrading your snowkiting gear for the season ahead, you’ve come to the right place. This year, Tkb sent former staffer and snowkiter, James Brown, along with his trusty ski experts, Maria Trujillo and Scott Siao, to the SIA Snow Show in Colorado to check out the latest in products for the 2014/15 season and give us the low-down on items most-related to our sport.

ABOUT THE SHOW
The show consists of two venues; a giant gear expo at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver and an on-snow gear demo at Copper Mountain Resort. We picked gear we felt was relevant to snowkiters to review then compiled our thoughts below.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Below you’ll find our list of show and product highlights. Think we missed an essential, must-have, snowkiting item? Please do feel free to let us know.

SONY DSC

Knee Binding
These unique ski bindings have been on the market for a few years. By providing a lateral heel release, they supposedly eliminate ACL knee injuries caused by rearward-twisting falls, which account for ¾ of ACL injuries. No ACL injuries have been reported with the use of these bindings according to Knee Binding literature. These promise to keep you snowkiting for years to come.  https://kneebinding.com/KB-HomePage.aspx

 

SONY DSC

Apex “Ski/Snowboard” Boots
Apex boots are basically a full snowboard boot with an outer shell binding that allows you to use them with skis, or alone in a snowboard binding. Imagine a typical snowboard boot with upper and lower Boa cinch system, then step into a shell that has a couple ski buckles and a standard ski boot base. You can step into ski bindings with the shell/boot combination for snowkiting, or you can go snowboarding or walk around in comfort the rest of the time. Check out the link for a visual.  https://apexskiboots.com/?mwrc_session_code=LlNr2Y3MITyNpZhb4Jfd

 

ResQski2

ResQski
Never lose your ski in the powder again by attaching these little RF devices to find them. https://www.resqski.com

 

XeroLights_DSC04220-2

Xero Degree Industries
Xero brings you the ultimate in bling for your boards: LED lights built into boards or skis. These were head turners at the expo for sure. It’s hard to say how well the lights would show up outdoors (they weren’t at the on-snow demo) or how durable they will be, but they sure are tricked out. https://www.facebook.com/glowinthesnow or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-as_x-ziWWA

 

SONY DSC

Snowskates
We have used snowskates with kites in the past. They are blast on the flats and give you that surf feel that you get with kitesurfing waves. A leash, while not recommended, would be necessary on hills. (We found out the hard way!). Brands at the show included Fuse, Premier, Florida Powderskates and Lib-Tech.

Fuse: https://fusesnow.com/web/index.php
Premier: https://www.premiersnowsk8.com
Florida Powderskates: https://www.fpskate.com
Lib-Tech: https://www.lib-tech.com

 

SONY DSC

Lib Tech
Lib Tech is always a company to watch because they aren’t afraid to embrace their inner weirdo and try crazy shapes. They have a wide range of snowboards, split boards, snow skates, skis, skateboards and even surfboards. We demoed their skis and boards the past two seasons and love the proprietary “Magne-Traction” serrated wavy edge because it holds on ice like no other ski/board. They work amazingly well on windblown hard pack that you might find while snowkiting. Lib Tech also has a variety of boards using traditional camber, rocker and combinations of both. The extensive line of surfboards are super light. They are supposedly the most durable construction in the industry and fairly environmentally friendly. They look like they would be amazing for kitesurfing. If anyone has a chance to actually ride one, let us know. https://www.lib-tech.com

 

OutdoorTech_CHIPS_2

Outdoor Tech Chips
We reviewed these wireless speakers for your helmet in a separate post but wanted to include them again. They are simple to use, have great sound and no wires or fumbling for the controls. Like! https://www.outdoortechnology.com

 

Cameras
GoPro has some serious competition these days. Ion, JVC and Sony have some nice compact cameras with the latest technology built in – like Bluetooth access to your smart phone, upload directly to the web, waterproof without a separate external case and simultaneous recording of video and stills. If you shoot some sick snowkite action, send us a link. We’d love to see it.

GoPro: https://gopro.com
Ion: https://usa.ioncamera.com
JVC: https://camcorder.jvc.com/product.jsp?pathId=141
Sony: https://store.sony.com/action-cam/cat-27-catid-Action-Cam

 

GoPro_Harness

GoPro Chest Harness
We loved the GoPro chest harness. It was great to video the person in front of us and it would show your hand positioning on your kitebar.   It’s comfortable to wear and easy to use with gloves on in the cold temperatures.  https://gopro.com

 

Armada - right

Armada Women’s Ski
This is a solid all-mountain women’s specific ski for varied terrain.  It would be great for snowkiting because it holds an edge on firm surfaces and can motor through deep powder as well.

 

Kastle

Kastle MX88 Mountain Cross
We tested Kastle skis last year and were excited to ski them again this year. Once again they impressed us with their versatility and lively feel. Travis Townes, their US sales coordinator, is also a snowkiter and rips it up with a kite and these skis. We are planning on getting a pair for sure.

 

Lib Tech_NAS Backwards

Lib Tech NAS Backwards
This ski was in the top of the 14 pair we tested. We liked it in crud, bumps and cruisers. The Magne-Traction serrated edge is the same as the proprietary design they use on their snowboards and it works amazingly for holding on ice. James bought the Skate Banana snowboard for snowkiting recently and was super happy with the way it performed.

 

Line_Soulmate

Line Soulmate
This ski floats through powder with ease, is forgiving in the bumps and holds a solid edge on groomers. It would make a great all-around snowkite ski.

 

Rossignol_Soul7

Rossignol Soul 7
We were pleasantly surprised with how the honeycomb tip and tail held a solid edge at high speed, yet turned quick when needed. Check these out for snowkiting if you like speed runs with a kite, but want a light, versatile ski.

 

Volkl_Yumi - left

Volkl Yumi
This women’s specific all-mountain cruiser is a great ski to lay down some turns on fresh corduroy. It would also be a versatile snowkite ski.

For more information on any of the products listed here, or to read up on events and sponsors of the SIA Snow Show, visit their website at  https://siasnowshow.snowsports.org