CS2027 dates

Snowkite spot · United States

Artist Point (snow kite)

Riders have kited it in NE–SE.

Show on the map48.8469, -121.6920
Works in
NE–SE
Nearest airport
YXXAbbotsford International Airport, 53 km

Forecast and webcams

Before you go

Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.

Under the snow

Surface and skis

Riders have not described the ground under the snow. Early in the season and after a thaw, expect things to stick out.

Rule of thumb: the smoother the ground, the less snow you need. On a mown meadow riders usually start from about 20 to 30 cm; on stubble, ploughed fields or dwarf pine you need much more.

Bring rock skis

For your first sessions, early in the season and anywhere the snow is thin, use old skis (“rock skis”) or an old snowboard. A stone hidden just under the snow can cut the base of new skis on the very first run.

Tips for this spot

  • On hills the wind is stronger and gustier than the forecast says. Behind a forest it breaks and swirls, so launch well away from trees.
  • Wind and frost add up: at −5 °C and 20 knots (10 m/s) it feels like about −14 °C. Goggles, a balaclava and spare gloves.
  • Frozen snow is hard: a helmet and back protector are worth it even on a flat plateau.

On site

Wind and riding area

NNNENEENEEESESESSESSSWSWWSWWWNWNWNNWNESW

worksno reports

Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.

Pparking

From riders

What you need to know

Who it suits
Intermediate and advanced.

Watch out for

  • Avalanche terrain.community map

Parking

  • Car park “Artist Point Trailhead” at the spot, paid.capacity: 150 · OpenStreetMap
  • Backcountry parking area at Heather Meadows.community map
  • Car park about 550 m from the spot, paid.capacity: 30 · OpenStreetMap

Getting there

  • The road is closed in winter, access via skin track from the Heather Meadows parking lot; the route to Artist Point is usually well-trodden and safe.community map

Rules and respect

  • The road is closed in winter.community map

Conditions

  • Rolling hills and fairly gentle east-facing slopes.community map

Riders' tips

  • The anemometer at Panorama Dome slightly to the east matches conditions at Artist Point well.community map
In riders' own words
  • „Fun intermediate“
  • „advanced spot in SE through NE winds.“
  • „from the Heather Meadows backcountry parking area.“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/96495723“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/433212111“
  • „The road is closed in winter, so approach is a backcountry skin track from the Heather Meadows backcountry parking area.“
  • „Note that this is avalanche terrain“
  • „Artist point has rolling hills and fairly mellow slopes to the east.“
  • „The wind meter at Panorama Dome slightly east is a good match for Artist Point.“

Photos from the area

Mt Herman panorama (7-31-24) 9551 03
Mt Herman panorama (7-31-24) 9551 03 · 48 m from the spot
Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mt Herman panorama (7-31-24) 9551 04
Mt Herman panorama (7-31-24) 9551 04 · 48 m from the spot
Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Viewing Mt Baker from Artists Ridge, Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (31959131712)
Viewing Mt Baker from Artists Ridge, Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (31959131712) · 64 m from the spot
U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Wind by month

When it blows

Average wind speed 10 m above ground from NASA POWER (MERRA-2, 2001–2025). The model works on a grid of roughly 50 km; on hills and by the water the wind is often stronger and gustier.

windiest monthsaverage wind in knots, NASA POWER; below the month in m/s

Values by month
January3.8 knots · 2.0 m/s
February3.5 knots · 1.8 m/s
March3.5 knots · 1.8 m/s
April3.0 knots · 1.5 m/s
May2.9 knots · 1.5 m/s
June2.9 knots · 1.5 m/s
July2.7 knots · 1.4 m/s
August2.7 knots · 1.4 m/s
September2.8 knots · 1.4 m/s
October3.1 knots · 1.6 m/s
November3.6 knots · 1.9 m/s
December3.7 knots · 1.9 m/s

Been there?

Add what you know

Parking changed, a new ban, a new obstacle in the water? Tell us, we will check it and update the page.

Sources: Community map “USA NW Kite Spots” (Google My Maps). Wind NASA POWER, airports OurAirports, photos Wikimedia Commons (author and licence with each photo). As of 17 October 2026. These are riders' reports; local rules change, so look around before you ride and follow local signs.

A week on the water

Kite safari in the Red Sea

8 days on a yacht from Hurghada to the islands of the northern Red Sea. Next departure 7-14 November 2026, the 2027 dates are coming soon.

See the safari

The safari is organised by Mohamed of Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea. I've known him for years and we work together.