Winter activities: following the kite. How to choose skis for kiting

A kite is a large, controlled kite that can, if necessary, drag a person on a board, roller skates, water skis and other means of transportation. With the help of a kite you can reach high speeds, make high and long jumps, or simply feel the wind and freedom.

Basically, kites can be divided into aerobatic, summer and winter.

Photo taken from www.kiteworld.ru

Aerobatic kites are small in size (1-3 square meters). Designed not for movement, but for learning to fly a kite. It is simply fun for children and adults to play with an aerobatic kite. Although, with the right wind, a child and even a not very heavy adult can ride on it.

Summer kites have an inflatable leading edge to prevent drowning if they fall on the water, and are used mainly for moving on water - on a surfboard, board or skis. The trick with this kite is that it requires a partner to “land” it. This kite cannot be used in winter, because... the rubber inflatable bladder hardens and cracks at low temperatures.

A winter kite looks like a small paraglider. The winter kite is smaller in area than the summer kite and does not have an inflatable edge. You can’t swim on the water with such a “mattress”. But you can easily plant it alone. Winter kites are mainly used for snowboarding and skiing.

The kite can be controlled using a bar to which the lines are attached, or using handles (there is no bar). On the handles you can develop greater speed. But in summer they use kites exclusively on the bar. And in general, only marathon runners who need to accelerate to 90 km/h ride on handlebars. Overall, the kite of choice for most people is a bar kite!


Photo taken from www.kiteboom.ru

Naturally, if you hold the kite with your hands, you won’t last long. Therefore, it is rigidly attached to the rider using a trapeze - a special wide belt with a hook on the stomach. Basically, trapezoids are waist and sessile. Waistbands look like a wide belt. Sedentary people wear pants on their legs. The main difference is that the hook to which the kite is attached is located higher in the waist trapezoid than in the seated one, and in this case the force is applied exactly to the center of gravity. But when using a seated trapezoid, the load on the lower spine is reduced, which must be taken into account in case of injuries and weak back muscles. Most athletes and amateurs choose the belt option as it is more stylish: after all, most people ride in loose shorts and pants, and it’s ugly when something pulls them down. Although the waist trapezoid requires a more careful adjustment in size, because it can jump off over your head.
There are also more exotic versions of trapezoids, combined with shorts or a life jacket.

As many already know, Volgo is one of the wonderful places to play sports.

Boats and yachts

Can a boat ride across the vast expanses of a reservoir compare with a similar walk along any of the rivers? You will get the answer to this question if you at least once try to sweep across the silvery surface of Lake Volgo with the breeze and enjoy the feeling of freedom and serenity, bouncing on the scallops of the extraordinary beauty of the waves, this body of water that is truly comparable to the sea.

Kiting and water skiing

Water skiing and kite skiing are also quite popular in these places. If you are a kite lover - yes, you have found the right place! For kiting, just like for windsurfing, you need a stable and even wind, but the role of a sail here is played by a kite above your head, which, when inflated by the wind, provides you with traction and, as a result, inflates the movement. On Lake Volgo you can find everything you need for amazing kiting: space and wind - you rush with unprecedented ease, undoubtedly, this is an amazing and very beautiful water sport. Water skiing involves moving across the surface of the water on specially shaped skis on a cable connected to a boat or other floating device. means. Water skis come in singles and pairs. The Russian water skiing championship is held on Lake Volgo: here masters demonstrate their skills in disciplines such as slalom, figure skating and ski jumping.

Surfing and Windsurfing

There is excellent surf on Lake Volgo. a station where you can find everything you need for surfing and windsurfing. Windsurfing was born in an attempt to combine classic surfing and sailing yachts.

The idea justified itself and immediately won fans around the world.

Surfing without waves, yachting without a yacht!
Wellness meditations, yoga classes and energy practices

On the shore of Lake Volgo you can learn how to control the energy of water and wind using the Tai Chi technique. In this technique, the emphasis falls on the energy practices of Tai Chi Chuan and healing meditation. In this vein, windsurfing gives you the opportunity to be in touch with the elements of water and wind, and find harmony of interaction there!

Windsurfing is Tai Chi with the elements of wind and water!

Water kayaking trips
Several routes for kayaking trips pass through Lake Volgo, both along the Volga River and towards the Upper Volga system of lakes and Lake Seliger. The key reservoirs are: Upper Volga Lakes, Lake. Seliger, Selizharovka, upper Volga, Pesochnya, Pyroshnya, Molodoy Tud Upper Volga. The Volga begins from a spring in a swamp near the village of Volgoverkhovye. At first it flows through marshy areas, passing through two small lakes - Mal. and Bol. Verkhity, and then through the large Upper Volga lakes: Sterzh, Vselug, Peno, Volgo. Before the beishlot, many streams, rivers and rivers flow into the Volga. Many of them - Zhukopa, Runa, Kud, Stergut, Sig, etc. - flow from lakes.
Below the beishlot, the Volga receives on the left the full-flowing Selizharovka River, flowing from the lake. Seliger: the amount of water in the Volga doubles.
Routes:

M1. Upper Volga Lakes, Volga: from the village of Kokovkino to the village. Selizharovo, 105 km. M 2. Lake Seliger, Selizharovka: from Ostashkov to the village. Selizharovo - 52 km. M 3. Upper Volga: from the village. Selizharovo to Tver, 307 km.

IN

winter time You can also have a wonderful relaxation on the lake. Just think about snowmobiling or skiing, it’s good to go ice fishing, hunt, and how nice it is to steam in a bathhouse and run out onto fresh, fluffy snow - an unforgettable feeling! For those who prefer quieter sports, table tennis, bicycles, a tennis court, and sports fields (football, volleyball, badminton, basketball) are available.

In previous articles we have already talked about Arctic tourism and dog sledding, and next is kite racing. BiletyPlus.ru introduces you to a young and very unusual sport.

Snowkiting

Many people have heard about water kiting, also known as kitesurfing (riding on a board using the power of a kite). Snowkiting is only gaining momentum, having originated in the 70s of the twentieth century in the Alps.

Snow kiting today is a very interesting sport, because it is not only high-speed gliding through the snow in a straight line (although beginners have enough of this kind of entertainment - try to cope with the multi-meter sheet of a parachute-kite!). Professionals demonstrate on their boards how to move on different tacks (position relative to the wind), including against the wind; and a variety of acrobatic stunts; and soaring flights; and so-called adventure racing.

It is believed that snowboarders were the first to come up with such an unusual entertainment, and only then kiters, skaters, skiers and boarders joined them, enriching the new kind sport with its skating techniques and various “tricks”.

Where to begin?

Oddly enough, there is no need for hurricane winds or specially paved tracks for amateur snowkiting. A small parachute with special lines, a helmet and skis or snowboard are enough. Well, sunny winter weather, so as not to dodge the prickly wind, but to have fun, enjoying the speed and overcoming the forces of gravity. In just a few hours, an experienced instructor can teach you how to stay balanced, successfully pilot a canopy, and catch the wind.

You can practice snowkiting on any snow-covered surface, be it a flat plain or mountain slopes. Of course, flat trails are best suited for practicing initial sliding and maneuvering skills, especially with fresh, dense crust. After them, you can try to switch to gentle, and later to steep descents with a steady wind.

Where to go next?

If you have mastered skiing and kiting, but your soul requires more adrenaline, then it’s time for you to take up snowkiting seriously. Buy a special shortened and narrowed board - a snowkiteboard, a larger parachute with better lift, find out where the nearest snowskate spots are. Quite a lot of skate schools and convenient places for skating today are located in Austria, Finland, Norway, Italy, and Switzerland. Russia did not stand aside either: many big cities We are happy to actively develop this sport and hold local competitions.

As for professional sports, it is handled by the IKA/ISAF association, which holds European and world championships in several categories: from speed racing and stunt freestyle to flying and technical disciplines. By the way, the record speed officially registered in kite racing is more than 112 km/h!

In general, if it’s snowy and windy in winter, this is not a reason to be upset, but quite the opposite: a wonderful opportunity to learn a new entertainment for the brave.

The ancestors of modern winter kiting were surfing and skiing and sailing. Today this sport is successfully developing not only on water. Athletes ride on the surface of the earth with all kinds of obstacles on mountain boards, on a snowboard with a parachute in the snow. The sport allows extreme athletes to control gusts of wind, gaining weight positive emotions with a powerful dose of adrenaline.

Boarding, skiing or skating on snow under a canopy is not only a sport for extreme sports enthusiasts, but simply an active recreation. The main element of the kite is the wing - a parachute for which generates thrust intensity, creating lift. You can ride with the help of such a kite: on a frozen lake or river, a snow-covered field, or a ski slope.

You can try driving anywhere, and you don’t really need strong wind. When using a parachute-kite, when climbing a mountain hill and then descending on the wing, the amazing power and harmony of nature opens up before the rider. Having skis, a snowboard and a kite can turn a dull winter day into an adrenaline-filled adventure.

Story

For the first time, the method of riding on snow under the traction of a kite was turned into reality by a German paragliding athlete about fifty years ago. The freerider hooked himself to the parachute, successfully maneuvering under the canopy. A little later, skiers and ice skaters began to maneuver under the wing.

As it developed, kite snowboarding became a professional sport, and unique techniques and performance techniques were formed. Every year, in those places on the planet where there is an appropriate climate and platforms, competitions of various levels are held:

• free skiing on difficult trails;
• racing tournaments;
• flights;
• art - jumping aerial tricks;
• adventure simulation competitions.

The first kite snowboarding club appeared in Russia in the late nineties. Currently opening a large number of kite centers where beginners learn how to glide under the wing. Similar schools also provide rental necessary equipment for flights.

Technique

For those wishing to master this art, it is advisable to start sliding on freshly fallen snow cover. Modern wing kites can move in any direction. However, the most natural skating is perpendicular to the air masses. Having learned to feel the air flow and control the wing, you can quite easily return to the exact point on the terrain from where you started. The distance the rider will cover will depend on his desire, experience, and endurance.

Education

Unlike water kite surfing, those who want to master it do not have to look for the right place in the world to fly. warm regions. The climatic conditions and terrain of most of Russia allow skiing to be carried out in many regions of the country.

A good option if you want to learn the art of skiing and kiteboarding is to go to a special school. Classes in such centers are held under the supervision of experienced mentors who will help you avoid all mistakes. In such schools, there is no need to purchase the necessary equipment, since during the training all equipment is given to the beginning athlete absolutely free.

If you're trying on your own, there are a couple of tips to keep in mind:

1. Before you attach the sail straps to yourself, you need to learn how to ride a board, skis or skates well without secondary traction force. After practicing, you should at least a little master the technique of riding apparatus.
2. When you first launch and fly, you should take care of insurance by asking a friend for support. A rope will serve as a safety net.
3. For a test run, you need to choose an open area and light wind.

Wind rating

For beginner kiters great importance has the ability to move with low traction. This is necessary to comply with safety requirements. You should beware of low clouds as this is the primary cause of cyclone winds. It will create strong turbulences, which are very dangerous not only for beginners.

To avoid a fatal mistake, the kiter must remember that when launching, building, tall trees must be located at least 90 meters below the wind. Having carefully read the parachute instructions, it is necessary to adhere to the exact coincidence of the strength of the current air flows with the specified optimal range in the passport.

A novice rider should buy a pocket anemometer that will determine wind speed. The athlete also needs to check the Internet for upcoming weather conditions. In case of unstable and very strong gusts, you should refuse to launch the canopy or change to a smaller sail.

Places for skiing

For adrenaline junkies who want to master a parachute for snowboarding or other sports equipment, there are safe platforms all over the world.

1. Thalgau. The most popular site for kiters, located in Austria. Good climatic conditions, stable wind and mentors will help you master gliding under the wing in a very short time.
2. Varanger. A playground for ace athletes in Norway, where strong gusts of wind allow the wing to be launched at breakneck speeds.
3. Pleshcheyevo. Russian platform for kite lovers, located near Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. It features smooth terrain with the necessary amount of snow for skiing.
4. Gearwood. A site in Alaska with wind blowing in all directions and the optimal amount of snow. Perfect place for performing amazing tricks by professional freeriders.
5. Ai-Petri. Snowy Crimean point, suitable for snowboarding.

Restrictions

Anyone can engage in this sport, even those without special physical training. However, some contraindications still exist:

• Flying is not recommended for people with ankle and knee injuries;
• for back pain, you should use only a special trapezoid stabilizer, which will relieve the load;
• Children from 13-14 years old are allowed to enter the start line only in light winds with a small wing, strictly under the supervision of adults.

Equipment

Being quite traumatic, skiing on a snow board requires the athlete to have iron health. However, snowkiting, as it was called with a parachute, became a less dangerous sport.

To practice winter kiting, the rider will need:

• aerobatic or training wing;
• special trapeze belt for sail control;
• helmet, gloves, mask;
• ski and additional accessories;
• sports equipment for movement.

Kite

When choosing a sail, kiter experts recommend buying a universal demi-season wing. After all, such equipment can be used to glide along the water surface. However, for beginner kiters, you will need a miniature training canopy, which will make it easier to master piloting skills.

Types of kites

In addition to the main types of wing parachutes, there are several other varieties that are called differently. Such elements also fully create lifting force.

1. What is skiing with a parachute called? Which type of wing is most suitable? Speedgliding is an extreme form of entertainment. Alpine skis and a canopy glider are used, capable of reaching speeds of up to 140 km/h.
2. What is ski jumping with a parachute called? Skysurfing, where a skier jumps from an airplane or helicopter at an altitude of 3500-3800 meters. Just before the ground, the athlete pulls a pin from the equipment to throw the sports equipment onto the ground. For skysurfing, reliable parachutes are used.
3. A wingsuit is a kite suit that creates an aerodynamic profile in the air. The oncoming air currents enable the athlete to successfully pilot. Parachute and protective systems are used.

Standard domes come in two types:

• rigid inflatable wings, inflated using a pump. Safe and controlled equipment;
• double-layer parachutes, which have less weight and dimensions compared to inflatable ones. The equipment does not require inflation and is transportable.

The necessary equipment and accessories for snowkiting, kitesurfing, and spitgliding can be purchased at the Sportmaster store, where products from well-known brands of decent quality are presented.

Important

When learning to fly aerobatic kites, it is worth remembering that:

1. The proximity of trees, power lines and buildings is unacceptable!
2. At the start you need to be careful, trying not to confuse or damage anything in your equipment!
3. Initial classes take place in the presence of several people!
4. Worn and frayed straps on equipment should be replaced immediately!

I myself ride a Salomon Equipe 8000 2S, size 200 cm - it’s impossible to determine the model and production season more precisely. Mounts - Salomon S914 PE2. Boots - Salomon Course 02/03, this is already the fourth pair. The boot lasts for a season, they break at the toe area. Let's hope these last longer. We'll talk about boots and bindings for winter kiting later, but for now let's look at skis.

Part 1. Skis
When moving under a kite, turning and changing course are, of course, important, but not so important as to look with envy at brand new carves. First of all, you need to stay on the bearing that is selected, and not turn. Tacks can be extended for several kilometers or until you can no longer rely on your downwind leg.

The variety of coverage, horizontal surface and complex micro-relief place specific demands on kite skis, especially in racing types, which are the quintessence of the entire winter kitesailing technique. The ideal ski for kite riders has not yet been invented. Probably because the requirements are unknown.

If we develop a broad theory and summarize the results, the requirements might look like this:

• excellent vibration damping
• minimum required maneuverability
• grip of edges on smooth, glass-like ice of reservoirs
• average size - 200 cm, waist width - at least 70 mm
• extra strong sliding surface for rough ice
• stability over a wide speed range on all surfaces
• a rigid heel and a large anteroposterior balance zone are required
• unsinkability in loose and viscous coatings with water inclusions
• the minimum permissible cut and its symmetrical location along the longitudinal axis of the ski. The width of the heel is equal to the width of the toe or slightly exceeds it. On ordinary skis, the center of the imaginary circle is shifted back to the side; this helps skiers turn on the slope, but we don’t need turns on the plain.

A few words about combining kite and ski functionality in one pair of skis. This question worries many beginners. No matter how much I watched the pilots coming to IMANDRAproject, I always noticed the same thing.

Non-ski pilots (windsurfers, paragliders, yachtsmen and other "windy" people) can take to the slope on their downhill kite skis and iron it from dawn to dusk, faking or executing turns, depending on their skill level. It seems that they don’t care at all where, what and how to ride, as long as there is an inclined surface and a lift. Many are even satisfied with the sensations. Therefore, if you spend more days a year kiteboarding than on the mountain, focus on skis that are more suitable for kiting; on the mountain you can ride the same ones or take an inexpensive pair, especially for the mountain. Gravity, unlike wind, acts constantly.

If you have some skiing experience, you can probably use your kite skis to relax on any slope, but you may need to reconsider your technique a little. It's easy because it's a classic. In the middle of the last century they rode something like you never dreamed of! And nothing, they turned around, became champions and legends...

Please note that on the mountain there are stones much more often than on ice, and with damaged glides and edges, kite skis are no longer the same. On a zero pair, in two seasons of using a kite, I got only one scratch, and that was when I was too lazy to walk down the snowdrifts from the embankment to the lake. I occasionally straighten the edges with a small block onto mirror-like ice, in other cases the lines will be more intact. If you have already purchased a pair of short-range ones, read the article and try to understand why you should leave them exclusively for skiing.

Which skis should you not choose?
Any short-radius, shortened models are least suitable for gliding under a kite. Only a child will not be able to bend such skis to a given radius when tilting; in any other case, you will be constantly taken off course along the arc specified by the geometry; you will meander like a stream in a swamp.

Freestyle in winter kiting is a special matter, and skis for it have their own specifics, but more on that later. In any case, skis with a cut radius of less than 20 meters are only suitable for light pilots, if nothing else. It is better to get a special pair of skis for kite skiing.

What to give preference to?
In general, it is believed that the longer and more rigid the skis, the more suitable they are for winter kiting. It is not without reason that for PML (sailing monoski - equipment for winter windsurfing and a class in sailing) they mainly choose jumping or descending skis.

With the same length of skis from a possible assortment, the cutout radius is then assessed. You should not focus only on the depth of the cutout. With longer lengths and equal depth cuts, “higher” skis will have a larger radius.

Cut and turn radii are not the same thing. The cut radius refers to the geometry of the ski shape and is a segment of an imaginary circle. If, under ideal conditions, you put the ski on the edge and bend it, you can make an equally perfect 360-degree turn along the radius specified in the characteristics. On a horizontal, hard surface, such as ice, this is, purely theoretically, quite possible. The turning radius depends on many factors: the stiffness of the ski, the degree of its deflection, the elasticity and hardness of the coating. All other things being equal, on loose surfaces, stiffer skis will have a smaller turning radius, which means you can stay on the desired course longer. You can, of course, put your skis on without tilting too much, but slipping is a loss of speed and a waste of the kite's traction.

If the length, radius and stiffness are the same, compare characteristics of skis such as adaptability to inadequate, varied surfaces, stability during handling and vibration damping. If all these parameters match, then you have exactly the same pair of skis! Take the ones that are cheaper and newer.

It should be accepted as a fact that you will have to slide not on prepared slopes, but on the most unpredictable surface. It can be completely different even on one fairly small lake, and in 3-4 hours so much precipitation can fall that the situation will change radically. And you simply won’t have the opportunity to choose another path. There is no track to return to and drive the remaining 5, 7, 20 or 50 kilometers!

Consider the forces acting on the pilot and their dynamics. If gravity is constant, then the wind can accelerate you under a kite on a horizontal surface to a speed of over 70 km/h in a few tens of seconds, even on not the most ideal surface, and the loads, when the canopy area is much larger than required, are comparable to the heaviest phase turn, but they can last thousands of times longer.

Most racers prefer skis for downhill or super-giant slalom with a length of 205 cm or more, usually second-hand classics, because today such skis are practically not on sale, and if they are, they are quite expensive. The cutting radius of such skis, even modern skis, can be more than 40 meters and their stability on the course is enviable. All these qualities are important in such disciplines as course race, marathon, and speed trials. You can ride them for your own pleasure, but think about how you will get to the shore if the wind stops, skating even with poles is very difficult on such skis. Due to its length, it is not practical for transportation; not every car will fit 218 cm skis. You have to pay for excellent driving performance with a decrease in convenience.

Freestyle skis are almost identical to those used by alpine skiers. The requirements for geometry and rigidity are similar, especially since some freestyle competitions are held in the mountains. A distinctive feature of these skis is their curved heel. That is, you can ride or land backwards in the direction of travel. There is another designation for this twin-tip form. It remains to add that freestyle skis are much softer than regular skis and can have a more durable sliding coating to reduce the risk of damage to it in such a type of freestyle as, for example, jibbing. In general, if you are passionate about this type of kiting, feel free to take regular freestyle skis.

Expert kite riders who compete in a small number of competitions and just recreational kite enthusiasts, as a rule, rarely use skis longer than 205 cm. The usual size ranges from 175 cm to 205 cm, depending on the weight, height and training of the pilot. Shorter skis were discussed above, and even if they are just short classics with a large turn radius, such skis are extremely unstable at above average speeds. Any dense sastrugi or sill can cause a fall; you will not have enough longitudinal stability to break through it. This is the second reason why short free skis should be avoided. It consists of the small anteroposterior balance zone.

Every time you drive into another wet snowdrift at full speed or catch a good gust of wind, the entire ski-ski system experiences force vectors to capsize along the way. In the case of a snowdrift, this can be expressed as a good blow from below in front, and with a gust you can get a list into the wind and not maintain your balance. On top of that, the shorter the length and waist of the ski, the greater the pressure per square centimeter of contact area with the surface - you can do the math yourself. Fortunately, the market currently offers a sufficient number of models in the all-mountain expert category with the width characteristic of the mid fat class. It is the one that is most suitable for free skiing and is often synonymous with the entire freeride group, but emphasizes their adaptability to different snow conditions.

Such skis float well in virgin snow, but are somewhat worse than special ones, due to the fact that they are narrower, and work on loose snow is, for the most part, ensured by the design, not the width. But they are still wider than regular skis. The ability to effectively glide over surfaces with low ground reaction forces does not affect the quality of passing on hard-surface areas. It is this balance of seemingly different qualities that is the main advantage. It would be more pleasant to ski through snowdrifts on specialized powder models, but as soon as the snow leaves the ice, or you hit another icy patch, you immediately discover that virgin skis hold very poorly on such a road.

Selecting Specific Models
I will list what you can ride in the 04/05 season. Basically, I will touch only on free expert and amateur skating, which is often called freeride. Athletes themselves know what to buy, where to buy and what to ride, but with freestyle everything is already clear. The mentioned testers are alpine skiers, and they tested skis in the mountains, because, in my opinion, no one has ever done testing under a kite.

Any statement is a personal subjective conclusion about the suitability of skis for winter kiting. I, of course, would not mind personally experiencing everything listed below, but for now I have to rely on a wealth of skiing and kite skiing experience plus information from official sources about the characteristics and intended purpose. The mentioned reviews were reinterpreted on a kite theme, but even before reading them I probably knew who would take first place in this hit parade :)

Salomon: X-Scream Series

Ski testers talk about poor “steering”, they say, you can only ride them straight, and you also need to accelerate them properly =) We, kiters, can only rejoice at this fact. They also praise the behavior in the conditions of a loose sausage at high speed and a decent area of ​​anteroposterior balance.
The maximum size is 195 cm with a cut-out radius of 22 meters. Geometry 106/68/96. A narrow enough waist to feel confident on mirror-like ice, and a wide toe so as not to drown in snowdrifts.
Rigid, with good vibration damping... Definitely. First place! Want! Let me drive for a day! If for some reason you are not satisfied with Salomon, read on.

Völkl: Gotama

Judging by the geometry of the cutout with a radius of 30 meters, the Gotama is all you need in the snowy expanses to cut many kilometers of tacks.

Testers note high stability in any snow condition, however, on glassy ice the width can prevent aggressive roll. Let me note that the surface of a frozen lake is far from being a mountainside, and something will depend on the space between the snow and the kite, that is, on you. Worth a try. If only because there are similar complaints from testers about “poor turning” ;-) If in your water areas bare ice almost never happens, this is one of the best models. The more snow, the better, different and mixed. In snowy conditions it will be even cooler than the Salomon X-Scream Series. A solid second place, with a claim to leadership. If you still don't like Salomon and don't have much snow or money, read on.

Elan: Mantis 777 (M777 03/04)

Decent size, reasonable cutout radius (192 cm/26 m), attractive price. Unfortunately, we could not find any reviews for this model. But it deserves mention not only because it has a good price/suitability ratio. The skis have received several awards from various specialized publications.

Among the unconfirmed shortcomings, we can only note the presence of pre-installed mounts with unclear characteristics and a minimum of information on the manufacturer’s website. For those who are willing to spend money on a single pair for mountain and kite riding on a limited budget, these will most likely be the best choice.

Rossignol: Bandit, SG, DH

It is difficult to say which skis from the Bandit series are the most optimal in terms of skiing. B3 are more focused on not too hard and thin snow cover on ice. But they have the largest size and cutout radius among the modifications (195 cm/25 m).

Testers note a feeling of instability at high speeds on rough, broken roads. Almost everyone praises the tractability of corner entry. Nah... That's the last thing kiters need. B1 is also okay, but narrower than B2, and, obviously, a little tougher.

The following trend is observed: the radius of B1 is slightly larger than that of B2, i.e. B1 is narrower and straighter. I didn’t hold it in my hands, I didn’t put it on my feet, but according to the numbers it turns out exactly like that. According to reviews, it seems that such skis are not intended for ice and fast movement on viscous sausage, for example, in the form of a crust soaked through with water (this is when there is water on the ice and the snow has still melted). Hmm, why did they attach the Free Absorber interface then? It is not entirely clear what to say: yes or no.

But if you like this brand and can’t look at others, “bandits” are the best thing for free kite riding. The more snow you have in water areas and mountain spots, the more “bandits” you need to choose. The quality of "Rossi", as always, is at its best.

Well, avid racers will be in for a pleasant surprise in the form of sports workshop skis available for retail sale for super-giant slalom and downhill. Just a mega ski for intensely performing experts! Although we are talking primarily about free skiing, I can’t resist mentioning it. For anyone who knows how difficult it is to get new skis of this length and geometry, this is just a gift from Rossi. True, for a very immodest sum. Although the above-mentioned skis are not much cheaper, they are not much cheaper.

There are pre-installed plates for Rossignol bindings only. In addition, this is the only real option for racing mirror ice. No freeride pair can handle staying on course on ice like they do. Just don’t forget to sharpen the edges.

Size (cm) / radius (m):
for SG: 201/35, 207/37;
for DH: 206/42, 211/46, 215/45, 216/46.

Summary
Even though kiters don't think about buying new skis every day, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find award-winning classics for super-G slalom and downhill skis every year. Progress does not stand still, and time and exploitation do their work. It’s time to include “rail skis” in the Red Book as a rare, endangered and non-reproducing species. I know people who every season take a used classic from 210 cm and kill it over the course of the season: the slipper wears off noticeably from skating on rough ice, even non-set edges fly off with the “meat”, cracks appear, etc. Someday there won't be any skis like this left. However, there will be no disaster.

I hope this article will help you navigate when buying new kite skis.

Perhaps leading manufacturers will finally pay attention to this sport and active rest and will begin to produce specialized models.

There is already progress in this direction. For example, Salomon released the Pro Model SC SpaceFrame boots, in the description of which kiting is mentioned as an area of ​​application due to the high strength of the material. It is not clear why the older model, the Pro Model SpaceFrame with gray translucent plastic and reddish-yellow colors, was not given such an honor. After all, in addition to a cooler design, it also has a shock-absorbing insert in the sole. And it is not in the Russian Salomon catalog 04/05

P.S. If you have some not-too-damaged sports skis lying around for downhill or super-giant slalom, don’t rush to throw them in the landfill. In general, any classic skis over 200 cm are a rarity for kiters these days; there is a real hunt for them, and their owners are envied. Post an ad for sale in the appropriate sections of kite-related websites, I think they will find a good owner.