How far is your closest "real mountain" (Gore?) I think your drive to N. Vermont is rather similar to Encinitas to Mammoth.
Gore is 200 miles. Greek Peak is 20 miles. I ski 50+ days per year...~40% at Greek Peak. ~20% at Gore, ~15% requires air travel and the remaining ~25% requires more than a 5 hour drive.
Wind surfing's cool, but it's really more sailing than surfing.
Maybe so, but once you get that board on plane, you are definitely surfing...though you are being propelled by the wind, the feeling under the board is very similar to that of surfing. I do it because it is something I can do on the lake that is fun and independent. I like sailing, but not nearly as much as windsurfing. I dislike spending a day on someone else's large sailboat. It's fun for a little while, but I get bored being a passenger. I want to do the work. I'd sail a small boat on my own if I had one...but if the wind is up, I'd rather windsurf.
May try kiting again...they like it mostly because you get on plane right away, and yeah, catch air. I'm not a big air person, but I like the riding part and harnessing the wind...though the gusty Cayuga winds can really make is scarey. I'd like to try kiting on snow first...it is easier to learn. I never got out to do that this year because I spent all my time using gravity to ski down the hill.
What got me interested in snow kiting was the prospect of miles of untracked snow. Instead of gravity...using the wind. It is intriguing. I am sure I'll eventually try it, either on water or snow.
But what I've learned...while it is fun to have a friend show you how, there is a HUGE value in paying a professional to get you started (like with the surfing). Had I borrowed someone's board and went out on a few tips, I doubt I would have surfed as well as I did the first time out. I believe that is the case for kiting as well. I tried a friend's kite and nearly killed myself and got the kite stuck in a tree. Paying an instructor would be very valuable in this sport.
In August I'm going out to Hood River. I may try kiting, but I'm more inclined to get a windsurf lesson. I have all the gear. There is so much to learn. I just got my waterstart...but it is still a struggle. I could stand to learn to jibe and tack effectively. Both are 50/50 propositions on a very windy day. So...that should keep me busy this summer. With an August lesson in The Gorge, I could learn some techniques that will keep me busy and entertained for the fall when the winds get decent on Cayuga Lake.
The Bike Shop just called...I need $500 worth of work/parts for my bike. Shit. At least I won't need to buy lift tix this summer.
