CS2027 dates

Snowkite spot · United States

Snow Kite Eisenhower Tunnel S + SSW Wind

Riders have kited it in S, SSW.

Show on the map39.6796, -105.9355
Works in
S, SSW
Nearest airport
BJCRocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, 74 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
Advanced kiters only.

Watch out for

  • Gusty wind, high-alpine backcountry terrain.community map

Where to launch

  • Walk past the building to launch.community map

Parking

  • Car park “Hazardous Cargo Staging/Truck Parking” about 250 m from the spot.OpenStreetMap
  • On the north side of I-70 west of the tunnel.community map

Getting there

  • Walk around the building from the parking lot.community map

Conditions

  • High altitude, backcountry, gusty wind; the valley opens up higher up.community map

Riders' tips

  • Kite up the valley where the terrain opens up.community map
In riders' own words
  • „Snow Kite Eisenhower Tunnel S + SSW Wind“
  • „for advanced kiters only.“
  • „Walk past the building and launch.“
  • „Park on the N. side of I-70 west of the tunnel.“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/439836358“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/439836356“
  • „Park on the N. side of I-70 west of the tunnel. Walk past the building and launch.“
  • „This is a back country high altitude gusty kiting area for advanced kiters only.“
  • „Kite up the valley and it will open up.“

Photos from the area

2022-09-09 24 37 00 UTC minus 6 View east towards the Continental Divide from the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 just west of the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels in Summit County, Colorado
2022-09-09 24 37 00 UTC minus 6 View east towards the Continental Divide from the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 just west of the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels in Summit County, Colorado · 614 m from the spot
Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2022-09-09 24 37 14 UTC minus 6 View southeast towards the Continental Divide from the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 just west of the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels in Summit County, Colorado
2022-09-09 24 37 14 UTC minus 6 View southeast towards the Continental Divide from the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 just west of the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels in Summit County, Colorado · 615 m from the spot
Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
2022-09-09 24 37 06 UTC minus 6 View south from the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 just west of the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels in Summit County, Colorado
2022-09-09 24 37 06 UTC minus 6 View south from the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 just west of the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels in Summit County, Colorado · 618 m from the spot
Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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
January5.5 knots · 2.8 m/s
February5.9 knots · 3.0 m/s
March5.5 knots · 2.8 m/s
April5.7 knots · 2.9 m/s
May4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
June4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s
July3.4 knots · 1.7 m/s
August3.4 knots · 1.7 m/s
September4.0 knots · 2.1 m/s
October4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
November5.3 knots · 2.7 m/s
December5.5 knots · 2.8 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 “Kite Locations Map” (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.