Snowkite spot · United States
Waterville
Riders have kited it in all directions.
- Works in
- all directions
- Nearest airport
- EATPangborn Memorial Airport, 27 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
worksno reports
Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.
From riders
What you need to know
Watch out for
- No obstacles.community map
Where to launch
- Riding is on both sides of Rd 1 on wheat fields.community map
Parking
- Roadside parking on Road 1 NW.community map
Getting there
- About 3 hours from Seattle, 30 minutes from Wenatchee via Highway 2. Just before Waterville turn right onto P Street, then left onto Road 1 NW after about a mile.community map
Rules and respect
- No access since 2025 - private property (including surrounding lots), hostile owner chases kiters away and calls the police for trespassing, even though there are no fences or signs.community map
Conditions
- Green wheat fields.community map
In riders' own words
- „doesn't really matter wind direction.“
- „Best beginner snowkite spot.“
- „kite on either side on Rd 1 in the green wheat feilds.“
- „Park on the side of the road and kite on either side on Rd 1 in the green wheat feilds. ... Take a left and park on Road 1 NW.“
- „Stay on highway 2 leaving Wenatche. Right before entering the town of Waterville, take a right on P street and go about a mile in. Take a left“
- „no obsticles“
- „EDIT 2025: This spot and adjacent lots are private property and owned by a pretty hostile guy who kicked me out and called the cops on me for trespassing.“
Photos from the area
Photoken, 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
| January | 4.6 knots · 2.4 m/s |
|---|---|
| February | 5.2 knots · 2.7 m/s |
| March | 5.7 knots · 2.9 m/s |
| April | 5.9 knots · 3.0 m/s |
| May | 5.7 knots · 2.9 m/s |
| June | 6.0 knots · 3.1 m/s |
| July | 5.9 knots · 3.0 m/s |
| August | 5.5 knots · 2.8 m/s |
| September | 5.2 knots · 2.7 m/s |
| October | 5.1 knots · 2.6 m/s |
| November | 4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s |
| December | 4.6 knots · 2.4 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.
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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.