This morning we got out of bed at 6am as we are meeting TMAX at 7am at Cernak. It’s dark and I’m grumbling about what a stupid idea it is to get up that early! As we head towards Krusne Mountains we can see a lovely cloud resting on the cliffs. It looks like there’s going to be some fog and no wind at all.
Around half 8 we reach the top of the cliffs. Above the clouds, the sun is rising but we can’t see any signs of wind. We grab our tools and start to climb up the hill looking out for the wind. We’re sinking up to our knees into completely fresh light powder. After about 100 metres I start to feel the wind, strong enough for us to stop walking up the hill and unpack our kites. The journey to the top would normally take 10 minutes without the kite. It was 30 seconds with the kite. When we get to the top the kite is straight away in full power and in front of us we start to see infinite meadows, hills, ravines and valleys basking in the sunrise. The board is flying like crazy. Every carve or turn throws a geyser of powder snow up in the air, it even covers my open mouth.

We are the only 3 kiters in an area of about 40km2 of untouched powder snow. TMAX wants to go and switch to 9 Frenzy because the 13 is dragging him down. My brother and I are waiting on the top of this little hill from which you can send fantastic flights down to the snowed stream. It feels like we are landing into a duvet, no matter whether you end up on the board or your head. My brother was enjoying one of his megaflights so much so that he actually forgot all about preparations for landing and ended up right in the middle of the stream where he got nicely splashed with water. However the level of adrenaline and overall enthusiasm was so high that he did not care about getting a soaking and we were soon ready for another dose of cross country freeride. My brother has discovered a great overhang which we just have to try out. This season overhangs are really thick. As we were making our way, we came across 5 amazing overhangs which if joined together would create a massive avalanche. The sun is shining strongly and the wind has now strengthened to 11m/sec which means we can now ride through the deepest ravines and swerve through the trees. The powder is absolutely fabulous, glistening like diamonds, acquiring a golden touch in the sunset. Our bodies have been totally exhausted from a long time ago but our brains and the strength of the kite are inexhaustible. When we decide to pack it up for the day, it is nearly dark. We fold the kites into our backpacks and snowboard all the way down to the road.

It’s the beginning of winter and a complete start to the snow kiting season. The conditions are genial. If it carries on like this, 2012 could be the best SNK year ever.

Cheers
Filip

This is a triple world record, with the other two being the reaching of the Point of Inaccessibility and the crossing from POI to the South Pole.

Ozone is proud of these two adventurers reaching their goal, powered with the help of Ozone Snowkites.

4100 adjusted kilometers…in 81 gut wrenching days…BRAVO to Sebastian and Eric!

Be sure to check out the full news here - http://sebastiancopelandadventures.com/archives/1690

We had a great 2012 Snowkitemasters event #8 in Serre-Chevalier Valley at the famous spot Lautaret Pass. There was super blue skies the entire week, with good snowpack as a snowstorm came three days before the event.

For the first year, Régis Labaune & Wareck Arnaud got a snow-machine so they could shape some super big kickers for the competition. Many thanks to the Serre-Chevalier ski resort. Marek Zach from CZ was the supervisor for shaping the snowkite park, making the tricks going long but not too much height, and by this way avoiding crashes or injuries.

Every day the wind blew from the North/West and the competition took place right next to the SKM Village with the Ozone Tent where we could all meet together and chill when the heats were over. Ozone Europe distributor Iain Hannay came with a hot spanish crew and set up the OZONE tent which was our spot meeting.

All Ozone team mates performed during this amazing week. Especially Marek Zach but in the end, our international Murphy lost during the semi-final and didn’t get to the podium although he was one of the stars of this SKM event. Newcomer Patrick Blanc (snowboard) from Spain pushed the level really high and brought a new vision of our sport. As every year, Kari Schibevaag from Norway won both ski and snowboard competitions always while smiling during the tricks.

Russian gunner Anton Uzhegov was definitely the best freestyle skier during the week, finishing 1st place on the podium. Maggie Davies from Scotland won the special 2012 Overall Snowkitemasters Girl title and we were all really proud of it. I didn’t go so much to the parties in the evenings so I won’t write about the atmosphere there, but be sure that the OZ crew was performing big in the evenings/nights as well, for sure. Oh yeaahhh!

Well, it was a super warm moment every day during this week, chilling with cool friends from our team, who we don’t meet so often during the rest of the winter, so we really appreciate this time together. On tuesday evening, we had a team-dinner at the pub Le Frog, and nobody from our crew missed this perfect time, many thanks to boss Matt who decided from NZ to offer this cool present to us all.

Well, now everybody is gone back to his country but we will remember this awesome week for ever.

See you all at the next SKM 2013 event.
Cheers
Pascal

]]> http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19755?source=rssfeed Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:36:24 +0000 Ozone Snowkites http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19755?source=rssfeed I have now spent an amazing week here in the French Alps in Serre Chevalier Vallé, 2000m above sea level.  This year was great, we got sun and wind every day and there was a lot of people present for the competition.

Iain Hannay from Spain arrived with 12 riders and it was really fun to ride around with so many of the Ozone team riders. Patrick Blanc was one of the riders, Patrick is a really good rider in the water and here he showed that he is also a good snowkiter. He got 5th in the end but he was there fighting with the big names like Guilliaime Chastagnol, Remi Meum and Marek Zach.

Marek Zach is the 2011 world champion and an Ozone team rider. He has been doing the World Snow Kite Masters for many years. It is always really nice to have him around in the competition.  He has an amazing powerful style and was unlucky in his heat to not get on the podium.  Thanks for the support Marek, you are always there when I need a hand before my heats. I like this spirit.

I signed in for snowboard and skis and got 1st in both. I am really happy with this. Last year it was my first year on a snowboard and it’s really nice to kite with a snowboard in the snow. But I will never give up on my skis either

The last day we did the Race, and I am impressed by Pascal Boulgakoff. He is a good racer and came in 3rd in the competition. He knows how to climb the mountains and he was not far away from the 1st position.

I did the race on snowboard… it was really hard.  But in the end I managed to cross the finish line first.

In the end this week has been perfect for me. A super start for an amazing 2012! 3 gold medals I can’t wait for more. I know this year will be a good one.

Just want to say thanks to Iain for a nice week. Next year, bring more people from Spain!  Hope to see you guys around somewhere very soon.

www.kariland.com

]]> http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19738?source=rssfeed Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:15:49 +0000 Ozone Snowkites http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19738?source=rssfeed Hi everyone,

We were recently down in the cellar and underneath a load of boards and kite prototypes, we found the 3rd Dimension.

It had been missing for years, nor Indiana Jones or Lara Croft could find it, but our relentless search brings it back to you today.

It might be dated, but its still some of the best dream snowkiting and exploring you will ever see. Witness…the 3rd Dimension

Team Ozone

View more videos and the full 20min 3rd Dimension version HERE

]]> http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19734?source=rssfeed Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:07:32 +0000 Ozone Snowkites http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19734?source=rssfeed When one has gloated and boasted about the superb kiting here in the Northern Rockies as much as I have, one has to recognize that out-of-state kiters will arrive at your local spots and want to harvest the goods.  These road-tripping friends expect to experience the same epic conditions that we locals enjoy every day.  They want to discover the same high level of kiting that has made Montana, Idaho and Wyoming a must-kite destination.

For the week leading up to the New Year, kiters from all over the USA sessioned fresh snow and strong wind near West Yellowstone, MT and Island Park, ID.  They camped in their vehicles, partied in the local bars, and brought their snowmobiles for a week of post-Christmas kiting.  Every day the conditions seemed to change.  One day it was blow-drier steady 11m conditions.  The next day a nuking 7m northerly.  The next was heavy wet slop and punchy SW wind. The following day bluebird 13m conditions.  In a week of kiting we had a bit of everything thrown at us and it was all good.

One bold kiter, RVRat, drove from the East coast, across the US in 3 days, to explore the backcountry conditions for which our region is famous.  With that kind of commitment I made sure that I was prepared to show him the best of the best in local kiting.  On his second day we loaded up our snow machines (he has a tracked 4x4 ATV) and headed from the Continental Divide 20 miles back to kite Lone Tree Pass and Deer Mtn.   While his over-snow vehicle was slower than a mountain sled, it had the torque and the capacity to make the trip and he was able to challenge himself kiting in a spectacular setting.  That day he set a new standard for himself.  We had a fantastic time far from any road or other people.  It was committed backcountry kiting and we pulled it off in fine style.

Another traveling kiter flew in from the island paradise of Oahu to enjoy a week of snow and wind.  He repeatedly remarked about the world of difference between Hawaii’s soft sandy beaches and the soft powder snow of Idaho!  By the third day his body was crying out for relief from the long days of kiting.  Sorry, no breaks.  We kite all day, every day!  Thankfully every night we had a hot tub to soak away any soreness.

Every night there were stories thrown about the bar about boosting big, ripping powder snow, crazy crashes and wild times in the snow and wind.  Hearing these tales from far-flung kiters make me feel pretty smug about being a local and knowing that the Northern Rockies have some pretty cool kiting.  While the conditions are not always perfect, if you ever have the time, a road trip out this way will be full of highlights and hopefully great kiting.

Thanks for reading and see ya out there,
Noah

]]> http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19737?source=rssfeed Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:57:26 +0000 Ozone Snowkites http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19737?source=rssfeed Chasta’s moving on…

All great partnerships have to come to an end and unfortunately Chasta has decided it’s time to move on.

We have had amazing times with Chasta and really together we have helped push the boundaries of snow kiting. We will be sad to see him go but we totally understand that dreams have to be chased. One thing is for sure no matter what kites Chasta rides we will be happy to watch his magnificent style progress into the future.

Good luck Chasta, lets remember the good times.

Team Ozone

]]> http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19720?source=rssfeed Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:43:06 +0000 Ozone Snowkites http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19720?source=rssfeed Sometimes, the elements offer you some great, magical moments…

I’m not used to Snowkiting…I spent the last 6 winters in countries where it was sunny and warm …but this year I was at home and I decided to give snowkiting a try, even if I’m not best friends with snow.

I received mid December a Frenzy quiver and went straight to the mountain to test it… So cool!  These kites are so easy and with great performance at the same time … You feel free, and can do whatever you want with it.

I have to say that I really enjoyed spending time outside in cold weather, just playing with my Frenzy, it was great!

It was just insane when one afternoon, when the sun was going down, the sky offered me an incredible show… My Frenzy was flying in a sky of fire, with incredible color and contrast. Definitely, because snowkiting and the Frenzy permitted me to live that moment, I am a snowkite addict.

Cheers
Bastien

]]> http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19718?source=rssfeed Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:01:15 +0000 Ozone Snowkites http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19718?source=rssfeed At 19:30 GST on the 27th of December, Sebastian Copeland and Eric McNair-Landry, against many odds, reached the Antarctica’s Pole of Inaccessibility.

This is a historical feat, as no two man team has accomplished such mission, without assistance or motorized transportation.

Be sure to check out the blog below, which includes all the details
http://sebastiancopelandadventures.com/archives/1569

They still have about a month more to go, so don’t forget to keep up to date by following the blog at: http://sebastiancopelandadventures.com/blog

]]> http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19713?source=rssfeed Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:09:41 +0000 Ozone Snowkites http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/news/headlines/19713?source=rssfeed What does it take for you to feel the cadence of winter?  For snowkiters in the northern Rockies I think I know just what it takes to feel that rhythm.  It takes powder snow, smooth wind, endless sessions with friends and no pause button.  Drive to another kite spot and repeat the next day.  If I don’t feel that tempo, my winter is not complete.  For the past three weeks, it has been close to a perfect beat.  My truck’s gas bill is hitting 8 C notes a month; I know I’m in the swing of things.

Winter Solstice:  The shortest day of the year delivered another high wind session.  Winds were 30mph with gusts to 40 at Raynolds Pass and at The Wave in Island Park.  With close to a foot of fresh cold powder it was another day to mark the cadence of winter.  For me, having day after day of kiting, a little Nordic XC, some ice kiting for diversion and an occasional recovery day is what makes for contentment.

Demos:  Ozone Access and Frenzy kites are everywhere I go and for most kite days I have persuaded someone to put one of these kites into the sky and go for a session.  Every kiter who has taken one of this year’s kites out has come back happy.  Here’s a few comments from the past couple weeks:  “Speed: This kite is fast!  Controlled and precise.  Light bar pressure.  The kite gave me lots of time before I needed to redirect.  Handles smoothly.  Loops fast! Holds its shape amazingly…”  What I am not able to put to words is the smiles that these kiters have while out ripping soft snow with these superb kites.  If you are in Montana, Idaho or Wyoming, be sure to hook up with me in the next few weeks.

Weather Forecast:  The jet stream is delivering the goods.  We have wind and more wind for the next week of weather models.  It has been like that all over Montana.  Yeah, a little driving to get to the next windy spot, but it’s on and with the last storm, the snowpack is starting to get deep.  Another dump or two and bye-bye sagebrush until May.

So for all the kiters who are making New Year’s plans, drive safe, keep your cooler stocked and see ya out there!

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