Snowkite spot · United States
Boulder Park
Practical notes from riders: launch, parking and what to watch out for.
- Nearest airport
- EATPangborn Memorial Airport, 56 km
Forecast and webcams
Before you go
Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.
Webcams nearby
Live images from cameras within 25 km of the spot. Click to open the camera on Windy.com.
Webcams: Windy.com
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
From riders
What you need to know
Where to launch
- Launch by the road about 200 yards past the snowmobile parking lot.community map
Parking
- The parking lot on the right is usually full of snowmobiles; drive about 200 yards further up the road and park on the shoulder.community map
Getting there
- Follow HWY 97 about 20 minutes past the HWY 2 turnoff toward Waterville, then head up McNiel Canyon past Bebe Bridge.community map
Rules and respect
- Private property according to the NPS - potential access issues.community map
In riders' own words
- „go past them up a road about 200 yards and park on the side of the road. Launch and enjoy“
- „There is a parking area on the right usually filled with snowmobilers, go past them up a road about 200 yards and park on the side of the road.“
- „up HWY 97 about 20 min further from the turn off onto HWY 2 up to the Waterville. It is past the Bebe Bridge and up McNiel Canyon.“
- „note: Steve Gibbons of the NPS says that this is private land. Access concerns?“
Photos from the area
brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, 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
| January | 3.3 knots · 1.7 m/s |
|---|---|
| February | 3.8 knots · 2.0 m/s |
| March | 4.3 knots · 2.2 m/s |
| April | 4.6 knots · 2.4 m/s |
| May | 4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s |
| June | 4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s |
| July | 4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s |
| August | 4.3 knots · 2.2 m/s |
| September | 4.1 knots · 2.1 m/s |
| October | 3.9 knots · 2.0 m/s |
| November | 3.6 knots · 1.9 m/s |
| December | 3.5 knots · 1.8 m/s |
Nearby
More spots within 60 km
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 safariThe safari is organised by Mohamed of Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea. I've known him for years and we work together.