Spoty Snowkite na oravach

In Slovakian Oravs, there are a dozen of snowkite spots located in different places: at different heights, with field exposures in different directions.

This diversity gives us a chance to choose a spot according to the actual forecast, wind direction and amount of snow. At this moment we have 11 spots highlighted, 4 of them are base spots and these have been described more specific.

Take a look at the individual spots – check their characteristics to be able to choose the best place for snowiting.

Before you go to Oravy, check out the Kiter licenses – free cards issued for snowkiters, which are defined to familiarize you with the rules of snowkiging in Slovakian fields. 

Our snowkite spots

General Information

From last few years winters are getting warmer and warmer. Thats why we need to look for snowkite spots in the higher areas. The Slovakian Oravs region, due to location in mountain valleys with extensive and unforested slopes, has favorable conditions for safe snowkiting.

Thanks to many years of cooperation between Slovakian and Polish snowkiters, it was possible to create an agreement with the Górna Orava Landscape Park and do snowkiting here.

Orava area is located on the border of Slovakia and Poland, they have an area of 1900 km2.

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Place and elevation

The borders of the Slovak Oravas, formed during several centuries of settlement activity, almost entirely delimit the landform: from the north the watershed ridge of the Western Carpathians (Beskid Żywiecki area) from the east – the Podhale Range, from the south – the Western Tatras, Great Fatra, from the west – Little Fatra .

The lower-lying spots start at a height of about 500-600m above sea level. – Żubrohlava / Bobrov. Slightly higher spots are Rabca and Oravska Polhora (700m above sea level). If there is not enough snow, we go towards Sihelne, Oravska Vesele (800m above sea level). The highest spots are in the towns of Mutne and Novot – approx. 820 m to 890 m above sea level.

Winds at Orava

The area covered by mountains in such a way is often marked with blue colour on the wind map, but in the open fields you can observe wind jets – wind is sufficient in the right directions to do a successful kit session.

In Orava, the most common wind directions are west and south-west (SW). Winds accompanying fronts with falls often enter from the northwest or east. In the northern directions, we may experience a less pleasant wind – squall. The most pleasant winds – thermal ones can be found at the end of winter. These are the most even winds accompanying clear sky (February, March), usually from the south and west.

As in the mountains, the weather and winds like to change. If the wind comes with the atmospheric fronts, we can expect large amplitudes of wind power – from several to several dozen wicks. With such a changing and dynamic aura, it is good to follow what is happening on the weather radars, observe the sky on the horizon, nature and react appropriately earlier – landing the kite. It’s good to wait for it to pass and continue the session after the squalls are over.

Which kites do I need?

If you are an experienced kitter, usually larger kites – 12 to 18 m2 – works in Oravy. However, the final size of the kite depends on many factors: wind strength, construction of the kite, our experience, type and amount of snow.

Foil kites are more versatile. They have a wider wind range, are more impact resistant, and are easier to take off and land by themselves. However, due to the greater popularity and availability of pumped structures, they can also be often found in Oravy.

If you are not sure about your equipment, would like to test or rent cell kites from our kite base – we invite you to cooperate.

Rental & Test Kite Center 

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snow in orava

The trend of warm winters has been noticeable for several years in middle Europe. However, thanks to the location and microclimate of Orava, in the higher places we can find snow from mid-December to early March. You can often meet convective snowfall there, which can be not visible on forecasts. Usually temperatures here are under 0 and we can see snow in Oravy for a longer period of time, than other places.

Sufficient snow for a successful snowkite session depends on the ground. There are several fields with different surfaces. Most of the them are smooth and grassy. Then a 10-15 cm layer of snow is enough for snowkiting. In the case of ploughted fields we need about 30-40 cm of snow.

If you are looking for unforgettable kite sessions in good weather – visit Snowkite Orava Fun Page, where we post up-to-date information about snow and wind conditions.

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