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Switchbacks snowkite spot

United States

Spot currently openAltitude 3,299 m 44.97 | -109.48

Overview

Switchbacks is a snowkite spot located at 3299 m altitude in the Beartooth Pass area, Wyoming/Montana. This Alpine switchback terrain offers varied slopes for snowkiting with powerful west and southwest winds. The extreme altitude and technical terrain make it a spot reserved for expert riders. Snow conditions are excellent but access can be difficult.
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Spot forecast for Switchbacks

Sunrise 07:40 · Sunset 18:24

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Switchbacks: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

337h

in March · 27 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are March, March and February, at 27 rideable days and -8 °C. The low point is July, at 0 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 23.5 rideable days J January: 23.5 rideable days J February: 26 rideable days F February: 26 rideable days F March: 27 rideable days27 d M March: 27 rideable days27 d M April: 26 rideable days A April: 26 rideable days A May: 21.5 rideable days M May: 21.5 rideable days M June: 2 rideable days J June: 2 rideable days J July: 0 rideable days0 d J July: 0 rideable days0 d J August: 0 rideable days0 d A August: 0 rideable days0 d A September: 1 rideable days S September: 1 rideable days S October: 8.5 rideable days O October: 8.5 rideable days O November: 11.5 rideable days N November: 11.5 rideable days N December: 17 rideable days D December: 17 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 23.5 rideable days J January: 23.5 rideable days J February: 26 rideable days F February: 26 rideable days F March: 27 rideable days27 d M March: 27 rideable days27 d M April: 26 rideable days A April: 26 rideable days A May: 21.5 rideable days M May: 21.5 rideable days M June: 2 rideable days J June: 2 rideable days J July: 0 rideable days0 d J July: 0 rideable days0 d J August: 0 rideable days0 d A August: 0 rideable days0 d A September: 1 rideable days S September: 1 rideable days S October: 8.5 rideable days O October: 8.5 rideable days O November: 11.5 rideable days N November: 11.5 rideable days N December: 17 rideable days D December: 17 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 32%13-20 knots · 43%21-30 knots · 21%31+ knots · 4%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 43% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is January, at -12 °C. The wettest month is December, with 66 mm. Snow depth peaks in December, at 39 cm.

Monthly averages: Switchbacks
Monthly averages — Switchbacks — averaged over 1 year of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 23.5 229 h -12 °C 11 mm
January 23.5 229 h -12 °C 11 mm
February 26.0 303 h -11 °C 23 mm
February 26.0 303 h -11 °C 23 mm
March 27.0 337 h -7 °C 22 mm
March 27.0 337 h -7 °C 22 mm
April 26.0 288 h -4 °C 35 mm
April 26.0 288 h -4 °C 35 mm
May 21.5 246 h 1 °C 65 mm
May 21.5 246 h 1 °C 65 mm
June 2.0 25 h 10 °C 34 mm
June 2.0 25 h 10 °C 34 mm
July 0.0 0 h 14 °C 7 mm
July 0.0 0 h 14 °C 7 mm
August 0.0 0 h 13 °C 15 mm
August 0.0 0 h 13 °C 15 mm
September 1.0 12 h 10 °C 33 mm
September 1.0 12 h 10 °C 33 mm
October 8.5 68 h 2 °C 22 mm
October 8.5 68 h 2 °C 22 mm
November 11.5 101 h -7 °C 10 mm
November 11.5 101 h -6 °C 13 mm
December 17.0 177 h -7 °C 10 mm
December 17.0 177 h -7 °C 66 mm

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Technical details of Switchbacks spot

N: Depending on conditions NNE: Not rideable NE: Not rideable ENE: Not rideable E: Depending on conditions ESE: Depending on conditions SE: Depending on conditions SSE: Depending on conditions S: Rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Depending on conditions N E S W

The spot works with winds from S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW.

Depending on conditions: N, E, ESE, SE, SSE, NNW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable
Spot opening date
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Spot type
Freeride (Ski touring access)
Altitude
3,299 m

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