w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m
17
It's blowing 25 – 35 and there is three feet of dry fluff all around. While the
wind speed suggests an 8m kite, I know I'll need more size as the snow is so
deep. I grab my biggest kite, a 13m Ozone Frenzy. Launched and flying,
I revel in the snow's depth and the softness of the experience. For me, kiting
in deep powder, hanging on in the gusts, and gouging bottomless lines dur-
ing the 25 mph lulls is a feeling like none other.
Boosting off corniced wind lips with soft white-out landings seems like
a dream. Dropping top to bottom lines of untracked again and again
it feels as if I'm cheating as the wind-powered ride doesn't stop. As the
hours of kiting pass, I eventually become fatigued. I finally retreat to the
cold confines of my truck. After a quick break and some food, I'm out the
door again to finish my day with a sunset session of more fresh powder at
Raynolds Pass.
Kiting Raynolds Pass at sunset, the light is sublime. It penetrates and
filters through the wind driven flakes as the storm eases towards nightfall.
I squeeze out every bit of light and end up packing away my kite and skis
after dark. Exhausted, I drive to a motel in West Yellowstone. On the way
I pass two untracked kite spots on a private ranch. The snow conditions
are perfect and tomorrow will bring another windy and bottomless day of
kiting the cold-smoke.
CONTINUED
and gouging bottomless
lines during the 25 mph lulls
is a feeling like none other.
Deer Mountain
