by Kenny » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:13 pm
Erik,
A lot of snowkiters use their summer kites on the snow. The obvious disadvantages to an LEI are you have to pump them up and they don't pack down as small. However, it depends on what type of backcountry snowkiting you plan on doing. If your plan it to use tele, AT, or splitboards to access the goods, you will want to invest in a foil. If you plan on accessing the backcountry by sled, then an LEI will work just fine.
As far as foil kites go a 2005 or newer Ozone Frenzy, Manta, or Access will work great. Keep in mind that a 9M foil is roughly equivalent to a 12M LEI. However, the wind tends to be lighter in the winter, so 10 or 12M foils are common.
Kenny