Snowkite spot · United States
Snow Kite Hoiser Pass N or S Wind
Riders have kited it in S, NW–NE. Best in S.
- Works in
- S, NW–NE
- Best
- S
- Nearest airport
- ASEAspen-Pitkin County Airport (Sardy Field), 71 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
bestworksno reports
Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.
Pparking
From riders
What you need to know
Watch out for
- Trees below the tree linecommunity map
Where to launch
- About a 15-minute walk SE from the pass after leaving the forest above the treeline (GPS: N39 21 37.2 W106 03 30.8)community map
Parking
- Car park about 400 m from the spot, free.OpenStreetMap
- Parking right at the passcommunity map
Getting there
- About a 15-minute walk SE from the pass parking lot above the treelinecommunity map
Conditions
- Backcountry spot above the tree line; snow may be wind-scouredcommunity map
In riders' own words
- „Snow Kite Hoiser Pass N or S Wind... works on NW to NE wind.“
- „On a South wind the entire SE side of the pass would be incredible.“
- „Backcountry Advanced kiter location“
- „hike about 15 minutes to the SE, once you break out of the trees its time to kite... Above treeline location: N39 21 37.2 W106 03 30.8“
- „Park right at the pass“
- „OpenStreetMap way/451440948“
- „Park right at the pass, hike about 15 minutes to the SE, once you break out of the trees its time to kite.“
- „once you break out of the trees its time to kite.“
- „This area can get scoured of snow. Above treeline location: N39 21 37.2 W106 03 30.8“
Photos from the area
Christian Collins, 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 | 5.5 knots · 2.8 m/s |
|---|---|
| February | 5.9 knots · 3.0 m/s |
| March | 5.5 knots · 2.8 m/s |
| April | 5.7 knots · 2.9 m/s |
| May | 4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s |
| June | 4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s |
| July | 3.4 knots · 1.7 m/s |
| August | 3.4 knots · 1.7 m/s |
| September | 4.0 knots · 2.1 m/s |
| October | 4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s |
| November | 5.3 knots · 2.7 m/s |
| December | 5.5 knots · 2.8 m/s |
Nearby
More spots within 60 km
- Snow Kite Fremont Pass NW to W WindSnowkite · 11 km
- Snow Kite Georgia Pass Wind?Snowkite · 17 km
- Snow Kite Vail Pass NW to SW windSnowkite · 23 km
- Snow Kite Lake Dillon NW WindSnowkite · 23 km
- Snow Kite Lake Dillion on W. WindSnowkite · 29 km
- Snow Kite Eisenhower Tunnel S + SSW WindSnowkite · 37 km
- Snow Kite Loveland Pass NW or S WindSnowkite · 37 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.
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See the safariThe safari is organised by Mohamed of Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea. I've known him for years and we work together.