When Tahoe native Tyler Brown traded his snow skis for a kiteboard and ocean waves several years ago during a surfing trip to Fiji, his mind went into overdrive. He knew the fantastic water sport would translate equally well on the mountain slopes during winter snow season.

Hooked on the sensation, Brown was all too willing to take a job as director at California's first and only Sierra Snowkite Center (sierrasnowkite.com).

Located at Royal Gorge ski resort, the winter sport that's growing by leaps and bounds combines wind power, snow powder, and snowboarding in a high Sierra meadow known for consistent wind. Just like kiteboarding, skiers attach a harness to their body to secure the kite and not lose it during a ride.

Tyler Brown takes his snowkiting seriously! He was named the Best Overall Rider at the Superfly competition in Utah. There's no better match for the Sierra Snowkite Center, only the second snowkite school in the U.S. to partner with a ski resort (Sugar Bowl Resort and Royal Gorge at Donner Summit and the Lake Tahoe.)

Brown has gathered the best snowkite instructors to teach group and private lessons, lead guided backcountry snowkite tours, and help others train for the snowkiting race series beginning the week of January 9, 2013. Call (530) 816-0485 to line up your next snowkite adventure. It's like floating on clouds!

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