Snow Kiting

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. 

Kiting is not an aircraft - different from a paraglider, which is why it was a grey area in the wilderness act or up for interpretation. I think most places have revised language to specifically include ski kites in the things banned in wilderness areas, because generally people lump in kites with paragliders, etc.

Lots of threads on this topic on the various PNW kiting forums.

Kiting is not an aircraft - different from a paraglider, which is why it was a grey area in the wilderness act or up for interpretation. I think most places have revised language to specifically include ski kites in the things banned in wilderness areas, because generally people lump in kites with paragliders, etc.

Lots of threads on this topic on the various PNW kiting forums.

Launching and landing is specifically listed as illegal. Sail powered watercraft are also illegal in wilderness areas. Snow kiting is illegal within wilderness boundaries. The USFS has issued specific directives concerning this. It isn't gray.

Cool. That's why I said was grey. I had heard it had been officially banned in wilderness to get rid of any confusion, but didn't know the details. Where would someone go to look at different land boundaries, and the rules that apply to each?

Thanks!

Sail power should be allowed in Wilderness.  Thousands of years of evolutionary human use.  Flight, maybe not so much..  Glad US authorities have no regulation power over the significant amount of kiting in Antarctica..  oh wait.. 
"Article 3 states that protection of the Antarctic environment as a wilderness with aesthetic and scientific value shall be a "fundamental consideration" of activities in the area."  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protocol_on_Enviro...the_Antarctic_Treaty

Because nobody else is there to see it?..

Sail power should be allowed in Wilderness.  Thousands of years of evolutionary human use.  Flight, maybe not so much.. 

Agreed (if not selfishly). But I guess they have to draw the line somewhere?... allowing kites in wilderness would open up a lot of potential spots.