When Keith Kallio mentions the Snowkite Freeride event at Georgetown Lake this weekend, he lets on with a big smile and starts talking about who's who in the world of snowkite sports.

Imagine flying a kite as large as a parachute while standing on a board in the center of a frozen lake.

This is snowkiting.

This is what Kallio does.

If it all sounds strange, don't worry. The sport is so new that spell-check insists that "snowkite" isn't a word.

But it is a word and the namesake sport is catching on, hence the Snowkite Freeride Tour's first stop in Montana.

"When I first started riding, there were three companies building kites," Kallio said. "Now there are over 40 of them. It's the fastest growing sport in the world."

The sport, which prides itself on endless power and no lift lines, now has its own Snowkite Magazine.

In a recent issue, Georgetown Lake, situated nicely on the Pintlar Scenic Loop at around 7,000 feet, was revealed as one of the best snowkite localities in the nation.

That's saying something considering the number of frozen lakes available world over. The publicity has drawn riders to Montana from Switzerland, France, Norway, and Canada.

"We got listed in Kiteboarding Magazine as one of the best places to ride," Kallio said. "Last year, we had some awesome riders compete at our Snowkite Rodeo."

If you're still not convinced that this adrenalin-poised sport is something to behold, consider this weekend's sponsors -- Red Bull, Ultra Nectar (an outdoor clothing company), Skypilot Kiteboarding, Pegasus Kitesports, and Ozone, the primary sponsor.

Georgetown Lake is just one of 24 stops on the Snowkite Freeride Tour. Places like Vail, Jackson, Tahoe, Mammoth, and Sun Valley, make for prominent company.

"One of the more attractive dynamics of the sport is that once you buy your gear, it doesn't cost you anything to ride," Kallio said. "All it takes is wind."

And there's plenty of that to go around. The weekend forecast looks promising, with enough wind to, well, fly a kite.

Jenn Peterson, general manager of the Georgetown Lake Lodge, doesn't snowkite yet, but she's looking to learn.

"It's going to be awesome," she said of the event. "Georgetown is going to be a destination point for kiteboarding worldwide."

The lodge, which offers sweeping views of Georgetown Lake (and easy access to Discovery Ski Area), will bustle with activity this weekend.

Johnny Steel and The Decline of The West, from Bozeman -- rumored to be the best honkey tonk band in the state -- will play a concert tonight at the lodge. Saturday night features Population 3, from Butte.

"We are so excited," Peterson said. "We're calling this our winter kick-off event. We're looking forward to the season."

The weekend includes a kiter-cross competition, free kite demos, pro-clinics, and plenty of free-riding. It's all a warm-up to the second annual Montana Snowkite Rodeo at Georgetown Lake in February.

"Bring your skis and snowboard and dress warm," Kallio said of the weekend.

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com