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Log rails - worth the trouble??

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Frank_Spinatra
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 75
I was riding in "The Stash" today at Remarkables, NZ and they got an ass load of big log rails. So I tried sliding a down-flat rail (they use some type of finish on the top to make it more slidy) and as I was half way down the down portion i dipped my heel to stop from spinnin' some and proceeded to stick my edge into the tree and face plant.  Not fun.

Do you guys attempt log rails on skis?? Add thoughts or advice.
Aug 14 2009 6:02AM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
i ususlly try and stay away, or just have fun trying to bonk em in different places
Aug 14 2009 9:10AM
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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
I honestly prefer wood rails over metal. But most skiers I know dont.
Aug 14 2009 9:38AM
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ashamedkrew
Posts: 1194 - Karma: 424
they always seem to work out much better for 1 plankers
Aug 14 2009 10:48AM
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Pmoore
Posts: 1802 - Karma: 1,246
fifty fifty. so hood
Aug 14 2009 10:51AM
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Bodeau.
Posts: 1637 - Karma: 48
Oh man yeah ive seen people faceplant on log rails. it does not look fun at all. I stay away from them, ive never hit one....
Aug 14 2009 10:54AM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
the ones at monarch are so sketchy, anyone else tried them?
Aug 14 2009 10:56AM
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DrStrangelove
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3
well we've got 2 edges to worry about, and usually thats a good thing but when it comes to wood that's 1 edge too many...we just cant avoid digging in...

personally i hate logs and avoid them like the plague except for bonks and other similar jibs...they just have too much downside
Aug 14 2009 10:57AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
don't try them unless you know your edges are seriously detuned
Aug 14 2009 11:05AM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9210 - Karma: 5,357
Yeah I tried one when my skis were new, which equaled me just stopping on the log and flying off; major hurts.
Aug 14 2009 11:14AM
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Frank_Spinatra
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 75
Ya my edges are really round, I use these skis pretty much just in the park but still couldn't avoid the disaster.  I'm not sure if the slam has pissed me off and motivated me to try and clear the log or has convinced me to stay away.  We'll see what happens today.
Aug 14 2009 5:43PM
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DangerToes
Posts: 1042 - Karma: 33
hahahahahahahahahahaha.  that said, there are tons of natural log jibs laying around the backside of bogus
Aug 14 2009 6:53PM
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Zoro
Posts: 1253 - Karma: 37
when im around wooden rails i try to stick to just bonks and nugget variations
Aug 14 2009 7:11PM
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mackcamp
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 263
Haha i tried em 2 seasons ago, never again!
Aug 14 2009 7:30PM
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.newman.
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 236
nope... only good for snowboards

Aug 14 2009 8:04PM
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banana.split
Posts: 38 - Karma: 10
I always catch edge on log rail even when waxed down like crazy. Hate it!!
Aug 14 2009 8:44PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
In one of the Carinthia vids there are skiers hitting the log rails.  I slid one in the woods at Bolton and it worked out well.  It was really worn down and smooth and my edges were pretty dull so that helps alot.  But you don't really have to worry about your back edge because if it catches, it's gonna drag and probably will not make you fall. 
Aug 14 2009 9:22PM
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KennyC
Posts: 1922 - Karma: 46
ya i just do bonks and crap no sideways action for me on wood.
Aug 14 2009 9:29PM
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Casey
Posts: 7781 - Karma: 23,432
I thought this was going to be a thread about LONG rails. Like, "I just jump off half way down, its not worth the trouble to grind a long rail..." Boy was I mistaken! lol
Aug 14 2009 10:44PM
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taylorsniffen
Posts: 614 - Karma: 11
i fuckin hate them when i was home for college winter break i hit up my home mountain of stratton and they added a couple of in the glades and they blow all that happens it you end up catching your edge and end up eating shit on the ice
Aug 14 2009 10:57PM
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Magnetic
Posts: 845 - Karma: 229
Ya "the stash" at least at killington seams much more geared toward snowboarders than skiers, all the features generally in my opinion  are that way not just the log rails which i stay away from.
Aug 15 2009 12:05AM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
The Stash at Avoriaz is the same.

It's because The Stash is made by Burton, so all the features are totally snowboard specific, i.e. ride-on, and not designed to take any edge pressure from pretzels etc.

I'd say stay away from wooden rails. Not only will you eat shit countless times, but I got wood lodged between the ski and the edge, which was a costly repair.

Stick to faster, funner metal features.
Aug 15 2009 2:30AM
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Frank_Spinatra
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 75
Ya I was gonna say that being Burton designed or whatever seems to have meant that they overlook useablility (new word?) by skiers.  Ours at Remarkables is pretty much just log rails, big cement slabs (that get sticky as shit sometimes) and a bunch of wall ride type things.  Not that much fun. 

Only reason I go in there usually is for the house jump they got. which is pretty fun.
Click for larger image
Aug 15 2009 3:20AM
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KJL.
Posts: 307 - Karma: 11
dont wanna thread jack what about about sliding corrugated pipes, i could see them catching super easily.
I've never tried one ahaha
Aug 15 2009 3:28AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7808 - Karma: 1,414
Correct, that's the only time I ever hit them.  We have this dope ass rainbow log in the trees, must be 50-60ft. long, it is perfect.  I hit the first part 50/50 and then pop up and slide it and it is awesome, especially when there is like a foot or more of new snow on the log.  I only hit it on my Hellbents though.  Super fun, super fun.  Now that I think of it, I have slid tons of fallen trees at my mountain.  There is one that is propped up on some rocks, I 50/50 it and shifty one of of it.  It is almost perfect how it is set up.  There are tons of trees I plan on tapping Pollard style this Winter too.  I just have to get out and build a kicker.  Damn you for getting me going nomen!
Aug 15 2009 3:34AM
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Zoro
Posts: 1253 - Karma: 37

haha

a corrugated pipe was the only rail-type feature set up when i was learning how to slide rails.  dont be afraid, its not as hard as it looks

i know it sucks but it was the day i learned how to slide sideways so.....please dont make fun of me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbyfYH7ePyc     me at 0:38

Aug 15 2009 6:07PM
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CoolioDude
Posts: 907 - Karma: 57
i caught an edge last time i tried one... but thats cause they just cut down the tree in the woods and dont smooth it down or anythin
Aug 15 2009 6:10PM
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the-big-lepowski
Posts: 1212 - Karma: 544

what, you plan on tapping pollard?  jk, but wood rails can be fun, or they can eat you alive.  I have seen both and it really depends on how well they are constructed.  some are rough cut and meant for boarders, while others are sanded and actually have a lip.  I find sometimes for short rails with boarder style ride ons, just shifty on the ground so you slide right on, no hop.

anyone remember that jibyard in rural austria ir maybe germany sponsored by amplid?  the one with the sick log rails?

when sliding them, make sure your weight is a little further back, not so much as to loop out on your ass, but to keep your leading edge up.  and if you're not too confident, go for a boner 50-50.

Aug 15 2009 8:09PM
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Steeze-On-Toast
Posts: 679 - Karma: 92
theyre easy man, you gotta be smooth tho. weve got a load at slopes in the uk, huge ones as well, theyre fun and sound sooo cool when you slide them. The ribs make it really easy to pretzel and spin out too
Aug 16 2009 6:30AM
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shea.
Posts: 1606 - Karma: 193
yep, cool concept but its burton so the whole thing is set up to be like 99% boarder lol.
Aug 16 2009 6:35AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
hahaha yes the cement things always sound like they are absolutely raping my skis though
Aug 16 2009 9:14AM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7598 - Karma: 20,035
I like log rails, just have mind your edges. I'll jib anything.
Aug 16 2009 9:45AM
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.SimonB.
Posts: 1959 - Karma: 713
if they have snow on them, they tend to slide better. A bunch of movies have guys sliding trees covered in pow.
Aug 16 2009 4:20PM
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INNES
Posts: 98 - Karma: -8
i tried once but i got stuck and ate it
Aug 16 2009 4:50PM
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-PowAir-
Posts: 646 - Karma: 30
Monarch is sketchy in general...and yes they do slide...
Aug 16 2009 4:54PM
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