Once kiteskiing become more and more popular, some snowblade enthusiastics start asking "can I use my snowblades with the kite". The answer is a resounding "yes". Kitesnowblading use the same boots as kiteskiing so the boots are pretty strong and provide more than enough support for kitesnowblading. Since most snowblades are pretty short (under 1m), snowblade bindings don't even need to release automatically as ski bindings.

But why kitesnowblading? Since the snowblades are shorter, the kiter has more flexibility can get perform certain tricks easier than longer skis. Besides, it is also somewhat stylish to ride with snowblades. So if you want to do it with more flexibility and style then kitesnowblading is for you!

Besides, with snowblades, the kiter is more flexible and more mobile when the kite is down. Similarly, snowblade skis are more suitable when you want to go out kiting with the family and tow your kids behind you on their toboggans or on their skis. Similar to kiteskiing, kitesnowblading is so easy to learn that if your kids already feel comfortable on snowblade skis, they can learn kitesnowblading with a small kite.

Kitesnowblading is easier than kitesurfing so if you live in a colder climate and want to get into kitesurfing, don't wait until spring, go kitesnowblading now! The skill you learn in kitesnowblading will be very useful in kitesurfing.

To go kitesnowblading you need the following equipment

A traction kite, lines and associated control device. Any land or water kite can be used for kitesnowblading. Inflatable kites can also be used for kitesnowblading especially the new Flat Inflatable (Flat LEI or bow kites) which can relaunch very easy on snow. For classic inflatable kites, you may want to rig up a 5th line to facilitate relaunch on snow. In very cold days, it is wise to pump up the struts indoor such that you only have to pump up the leading edge outside. Similar to kitesurfing, make sure you have a safety release system that you can depower the kite at any moment. Furthermore, you may want to use a kite that provides good depowering capability such that you don't have to stop and change to a smaller or larger kite as frequent. Similar to kitesurfing, you would need a number of kites to cover the whole wind range.
A pair of snowblades.
A pair of ski boots.
A kitesurfing or windsurfing harness (waist or seat harness is fine).
A helmet (a must on ice or hard pack as you don't want to test the "rigidity" of your skull when it hits the ice).
If you do a lot of jumping on hard pack or ice, protect your body with a wakeboard impact vest with elbow and knee pads or simply use the same protection equipment that a hockey player uses.
Warm clothing. You normally need less warm clothing kitesnowblading than skiing. It's best to use layers such that you can take off some layers when it gets too warm.
A good pair of thin yet warm mitten. Don't use glove as your fingers can get cold rapidly. You may want to use a a pair of thin inner gloves in case you have to use your hand to work on the lines.
So how big a kite you need for kitesnowblading? As snow and ice have much less friction than water, you should use a smaller kite as you would for kitesurfing (on the average, about 2/3 of the size you would use for kitesurfing; smaller on ice - 1/2 - and larger on powder snow - 3/4). If you fly the kite straight over head, you should be able to feel the pull from the kite and be able to walk backward with some reasonable effort. If you feel the kite lift around 1/3 of your weight and can barely walk backward then you have more power than you would need for kitesnowblading.