Snow Kiting

Best I have seen is the Soldier Mountain area near Fairfield Idaho. A bit of a drive, but WOW. I've been around kiting a long time here in the gorge, but was never interested until I saw kiting in Fairfield.

plains of abraham mt st helens.

illegal to kiteski in wilderness? hmm... see people doing it on hood more than once.

Here is some real kite skiing at Alpental.   Not the type that they do these days, but kite skiing was invented by Jeff Jobe who took his first flight at Alpental in 1969. 

www.mammothtimes.com/content/warren-mill...irst-person-fly-skis

I remember watching Jeff Jobe fly off the cliffs at Alpental back in the 1970s. I thought that the accident with the go cart took place at Alpental as well, but maybe I heard the rumor wrong.

plains of abraham mt st helens.

illegal to kiteski in wilderness? hmm... see people doing it on hood more than once.

It's sort of a gray area, if you respectfully use it I bet it wouldn't be an issue.

It's sort of a gray area, if you respectfully use it I bet it wouldn't be an issue.

Legally it isn't gray at all. Taking off or landing any kind of aircraft within an wilderness area is illegal. Don't be confused by the fact that the forest service doesn't have rangers out there enforcing on a regular basis. If it becomes more common, expect more enforcement. Fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to 12 months.

Note: Taking off outside the wilderness boundary in a paraglider or other aircraft and then crossing the wilderness boundary while airborne, might be what you refer to as "gray".

The wilderness act doesn't spell out the rules on this, the FAA has guidelines here: www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Adviso...ircular/AC91-36d.pdf

Indicating a 2000ft buffer either along or above ground from wilderness areas and other areas. The guidance is for "Noise generating" aircraft, so paragliders and such might reasonably conclude that it didn't apply to them.

If the FS can't or won't enforce illegal snowmobile use in Wilderness there's probably not much danger for kites. That doesn't mean I think it's okay.