I went last year to wanaka (south island). About an hour from there is a place called the snow park. It's not on a mountain but just some rolling hills where people go to jib around. I personally didn't snow kite there, but Craig Gorden (WA kiter) did.

He said it was unreal. He had his 12m inflatable Ocean Rodeo. To relaunch he had to let his kite drag downwind until it hit a piece of snow. He thought next time he'd put grip on his leading edge to tip the kite over on its own. He said he could find heaps of powder and didn't have to pay any lift passes.

I've boarded the northern island mountains ohakune, whakapapa and taranaki, and treblecone in the south (sorry about my spelling!). None of those spots were suitable for kiteing (cliffs, rocks, people etc). Let me know if you find out any other info.

Maybe craig is reading this and can offer any more advice

If you fly an inflatable you'll need to put a 5th line on. It works a bit like the cabrinha recon system which allows you to flip the kite over quickly. You can imagine letting the kite drag to the edge of the window over the snow ice rocks etc wouldn't be good.
There are heaps of tips about rigging a 5th line on the web.
Good luck and let us know how it works. I'm looking at a trip to the states next year and want to do the same with my old kite.
Cheers
peco

didnt know that punchy!!... sounds like fun, is it easy on a 5 or so mtr kite? this would be the go save on weight but im still looking forward to glass water in cocos in july i'll have to find glass some were

J. Lewis

Hey Dan, I'm from over that way, the snow park is on the Nordic Ski field, its easy to find , not far from Cardrona ski field. I haven,t flown a kite there but have skied there , it was first established for cross country skiing ,so the country is smooth rolling hills. They had there first Kite event there at the end of the season last year ... check out this web site .
http://xtramsn.co.nz/travel/0,,8986-3204171,00.html
or check out kiteforum.co.nz