Snow Kiting Trips Feb- March 2009
Snow kiting is one of the fastest growing wintersports around. Using kites to harness the power of the wind you can ski/snowboard across flat ground, uphill and once mastered even soar through the air. No need for lift passes or queues, the possibilities are endless.
Big Blue Kitesurfing has teamed up with The Swiss Snow Kiting School to offer courses and trips for the complete kite novice or for kiters looking to crossover on to the snow.
The Swiss Snow Kiting School is based on the Simplon Pass which is an ideal learning location for beginners but also offers some challenging slopes for the more advanced. 2.5 hours from Geneva International Airport and 1 hour from Chamonix the school is well connected for short breaks and within easy reach of downhill resorts if the wind doesn’t blow!
There is also the opportunity to take part in night time tobogganing, paragliding, speed flying, ski touring, snow shoeing and snow mobiling.
The courses are approved by the IKO and are run in accordance with the international snow kiting standards. Courses at all the camps will follow the IKO snow kiter card scheme.
Accommodation is provided in the Big Blue Chalet which sleeps up to eight and is available for £200pp for 7 nights. (self catered)
Snow Kite Course Packages

Snow Kite Beginners Course, IKO Level 1-2 (6-8 hours), all equipment included. (£160)
For those with limited or no kiting skills and who can either snowboard or ski to competent blue run level. The Snow Kite Beginners course will take you from the point of how to set-up and fly your power kite through to your first runs. During the course you will cover all you need to know from handling the kites, equipment and location safety, weather, wind and snow conditions, starting to ride, riding cross and upwind, how to stop and the all important emergency safety procedures.

Crossover Courses – IKO levels 1-3 (6-8 hours), all equipment included. (£160)
These courses are for traction kiters from other fields of the sport, like kite landboarding or kitesurfing. You will still need board or ski skills but you will not need to start from scratch.
All key skills will be covered including, set-up and pack down in the snow, moving off on your ski’s or board, all the safety knowledge for snow, ice and mountain conditions, plus of course the all important jumping on snow techniques.

Progression Sessions – IKO level 3 and beyond. (length dependant on requirement). (Price variable)
These sessions are designed for those of you who have already gained some snow kiting skills. You may be riding, but not turning well or going upwind. You might be ready to start jumping or indeed want to push your jumps on to the next level.
With the progression coaching our instructor will work on the snow kite skills you already have and progress you towards the next level.

Other variable costs:
• Kite Equipment hire £50 per day necessary if you want to do more than 2 days kiting.
• Ski and boot hire from £69, Snowboard and boot hire from £81 for 6 days.
• Ski Pass from £30 per day or £15 for half a day- cheaper for 2/3 day passes.

Total Price Example for 1 person :
Return Flights (LHR-Geneva): £250
Return Train to Brig from Geneva: £56
7 Nights Accommodation: £200
2 Days Snow Kiting: £160
6 Days Boot and Board Hire: £81
Transfers and tax: £35

Total £777 (prices as at 19/09/08)
(BUT you can pick up a Ryanair return flight to Milan for £65 which would save you £185! )