I just moved to michigan, looking for a nice place to jump.

I'm not in Michigan, but on FB im friends with Great Lakes Kiteboarding, specifically Jonathan Butcher. Im not sure where you are located, but they seem to be at Tawas just about every weekend in the summertime. Google Great Lakes Kiteboarding and they will send you in the right direction im sure.

Northern Michigan (Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties)... there are hundreds of sick places to ride. Plus, we get way more snow than anywhere else in the lower peninsula (we're right in the dump zone for all the Lake Effect snow). Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise... check out all the ski resorts in your area and compare them to Northern Michigan resorts for a quick comparison!

I am doing interim work in Detroit (Warren) and about to buy a trainer kite to be ready for winter. Anyone in this area willing to give a noob some guidance?

You can get a 2-line 3m foil that will help you progress and may even be fun on a super windy (30+) day on the snow. Best kites offers a 3M with a free instructional DVD for $199.

Only bummer is that a 3M just isn't quite enough to go out and ride with most of the time. If you have the extra coin to spare, look at getting a 3.5M to 5M 3-line foil (reverse re-launchable). HQ kites have a great rep and you can get them from about $250-$475 for a 3-liner. The extra surface area will keep you stoked, as it may be used in more common high-wind conditions, or even with a Mountain or Skate board in the Spring or Fall.

yea I agree with the smaller but not too small of a kite to learn on. I learned on an HQ Apex 5m depower kite. the depower was pretty advanced design for my new experience, but I quickly picked it up and was riding the 5 by that winter.

I also recommend getting your kite skills down in the fall, or at least while your off a board or skis. Some people find it hard to learn how to board with a kite WHILE learning how to kite as well.

Just some thoughts