Red Bull Unrailistic | LIVE Broadcast

Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Hitting rails

profile picture
J_Dawgg
Posts: 10 - Karma: 18
Boys, I'm just gonna throw this one out there cause it's been bothering me... I've been skiing for 15 years (I'm 20) mostly in Quebec but I lived in Europe for a year. Technically, I'm a very good skier, and I love hitting up the park, and I'm pretty good off jumps and stuff. Here's the deal though: I see guys hitting rails like it ain't no thang, both full speed or really slow and it looks super easy. I can hit boxes with relative ease, and I plan on picking up a pair of Afterbangs this season to commit to getting better.
I've never really tried rails, mostly due to the fact that I didn't have the right skis and it freaks me out a bit. Any tips to get the basics down? Is it literally as easy as going fast, hopping a 90 degree spin and bending the knees or what else should I know? I don't wanna hear about 270 off or anything I just wanna stomp the basics and take it from there. No need to slam me on this thread, I'm just looking for some help.
Dec 8 2010 2:00PM
7 1
profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11932 - Karma: 21,775
Think of it like running full speed and jumping onto a still-standing skateboard. That's how your balance has to be. If you're balanced correctly and the rail is correctly centered under you, you'll be fine.
Dec 8 2010 2:03PM
1 0
profile picture
jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
remember to pop onto the rail and look at the end of it. this will help you keep your weight forward and finish the rail. also, COMMIT
Dec 8 2010 2:03PM
0 0
profile picture
J_Dawgg
Posts: 10 - Karma: 18
Does speed make a big difference?
Dec 8 2010 2:07PM
0 0
profile picture
DADDYlongLEGS
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 47
It is similar to a box if you are turning a full 90 degrees while hitting boxes. As was previously said keep your eyes looking at the end of the rail.

And join this cult -

https://newschoolers.com/ns/cult/forum/cat_id/2690/

There is lots of helpful information in here
Dec 8 2010 2:11PM
1 0
profile picture
DADDYlongLEGS
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 47
I'm just gonna put the stuff from Trick Tips here:

Rail Slide

Trick tip: MADDECENT

1. Approach the rail with your feet wide

2. POP before you begin to turn sideways, don't rush it.

3. As your tails leave the ground, turn sideways. Be looking at the end of the rail throughout the entire rail. When you are first learning, focus on keeping your shoulders facing downhill and having your lower body turned perpendicular to the rail. This will help drastically with keeping you on the rail the entire way.

4. Land on the rail with your feet wide and your knees bent. The vast majority of people will be used to hockey stopping on snow, so when they try to grind, they will lean back on their uphill edges and slip back. Some people teach 60% of your weight on your back foot, 40% on your front, but I say 50/50.

5. Keep wide feet, low stance, looking at the end of the rail, and with a few tries you'll have it down
Dec 8 2010 2:13PM
4 0
profile picture
J_Dawgg
Posts: 10 - Karma: 18
Beauty. That's what I needed
Dec 8 2010 2:16PM
1 0
profile picture
PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 608
Some great advice in this thread, dont know what else I can add... I do want to say however, once you get comfortable with the mental aspect of rail vs box, rails are much much easier to stay on because is is way easier to lock into it and control your balance with your edges.

At least it is for me. And they slide way better too. metal > topsheet
Dec 8 2010 2:17PM
1 0
profile picture
J_Dawgg
Posts: 10 - Karma: 18
Do you guys think Afterbangs would be a good fit?
Dec 8 2010 2:19PM
1 1
profile picture
DADDYlongLEGS
Posts: 1574 - Karma: 47
Ya I think its kind of strange when people will hit boxes but not rails. I was the same way but after trying rails a few times I realized just how similar they are
Dec 8 2010 2:26PM
0 0
profile picture
PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 608
honestly I would get a different ski. They would work fine, but the bases are extremely slow and they are heavy skis.

I would be looking at sidewall construction skis. Also keep in mind that you DO NOT need symmetrical skis, especially if you are skiing around the whole mountain. I was sliding urban rails on hellbents yesterday so I shouldn't see why skis would be holding you back too much, as long as they are twin tips.

Short list of skis for you based on where you live.

Chronic cryptonite
ar7
Bluehouse Mr or Antics (less than 300 for both right now on the bluehouse website, can't go wrong and both are better skis than the afterbangs fo sho)
Liberty LTE



Basically there are tons of great all mountain/ park skis out there that will fit your needs.
Dec 8 2010 2:31PM
0 0
profile picture
RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
yeah that's a great description

look at the end of the rail, not your feet
Dec 8 2010 2:35PM
0 0
profile picture
J_Dawgg
Posts: 10 - Karma: 18
I have a pair of K2 Apache Rangers for when I'm not in the park, and I've heard the A-bangs are resilient and have mad pop, and I feel like symmetrical skis would be fun am I wrong?
Dec 8 2010 2:38PM
0 0
profile picture
7-3instacall
Posts: 999 - Karma: 1,005
If you are a good skier, hitting a rail will probably be as simple as skiing forward, doing a 90 and then landing. just think of it that way, don't think of what might/could happen
Dec 8 2010 2:39PM
0 0
profile picture
ChristianJames
Posts: 214 - Karma: 19
run reallly fast and jump onto a skateboard, both left foot forward and right foot forward, this will get you used to sliding naturally sideways
Dec 8 2010 2:40PM
0 0
profile picture
SKIER_DOLPHIN
Posts: 69 - Karma: 337

dont get afterbangs some of heaviest and slowest skis ive ever skied

Dec 8 2010 4:33PM
0 0
profile picture
skier3.14
Posts: 101 - Karma: 35

first of all make sure you pop and get the hight you need, especially if its urban style.

have a nice shoulder length stand and remember to turn a full 90 degrees once your on, so that you wont slide off

keep low and make sure the rail is right beneith you. arms to the side

and lastly keep your eyes at the end of the rail <-- makes BIGG difference.

Dec 8 2010 5:42PM
0 0
profile picture
207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,846
this.

however they are buttery
Dec 8 2010 5:49PM
0 0
profile picture
DGiurk
Posts: 786 - Karma: 194
on the off season all i do to practice my rail skills is do whatever i want to learn on to a moderatly moving skateboard i run into it and do whatever i want to learn over and over again till i can do it no matter what. a big part of "freeskiing" or "freestyle skiing" (whatever floats your boat) is muscle memory.
Dec 8 2010 5:49PM
0 0
profile picture
adamlukowski
Posts: 3676 - Karma: 311
haha you see that all the time in inexperienced park skiers. I think its pretty funny
Dec 8 2010 5:49PM
0 0
profile picture
brf726
Posts: 91 - Karma: 15
Generally speaking the less speed you have the more balance you need.  So some rails are easier faster but it really all depends on the feature and the run in.

Also, don't get Afterbangs.  If you want a symmetrical ski there are plenty other options to chose from.  The Atomic Punx are symetrical with a soft tip and tail but nice and stiff underfoot for hitting jumps and whatnot.  I personally love the Punx.
Dec 8 2010 5:50PM
0 0
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,656
theres girls on this site too, you sexist bastard!
Dec 8 2010 5:50PM
0 0
profile picture
95romeo
Posts: 276 - Karma: -99
sorry i havent read the other comments , too lazy. But what i used to always find when i was first learning, was that i would slip back and land on my side, but ect. So i guess just try and put more pressure on your leading foot. Have some confidence going in to, and i guess just try and visualize yourself doing it. You'll get the hang of it eventually
Dec 8 2010 5:55PM
0 0
profile picture
i.ski.NC
Posts: 572 - Karma: 18
Threads.
Dec 8 2010 6:00PM
0 0
profile picture
drumbumocdp
Posts: 3228 - Karma: 1,079
I learned rails by starting at the absolute basics. I went to the kitty park and would stop on the transition and shuffle up to the rial so i was perpendicular to it. Id get my front ski on and just push off with my back just to i could get the feel of the rail under me. Once i did this i just practiced jumping on VERY slowly.
Best of luck
Dec 8 2010 6:03PM
0 0
profile picture
Elmo.
Posts: 4317 - Karma: 663
same...


the only thing i will add is commit to what your going to do. once u do it like twice u wont see what u were scared of
Dec 8 2010 6:50PM
0 0
profile picture
RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
yeah honestly i was comfortable hitting rails before i was comfortable hitting boxes. that was back when i was worried about sliding or not sliding on the box/rail, stupid beginner mental issues
Dec 8 2010 6:52PM
0 0
profile picture
jakobk
Posts: 308 - Karma: 11
the 155's are stiff.. i had a super hard time buttering on them.
Dec 8 2010 8:35PM
0 0
profile picture
joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
The number 1 thing is to commit. If you drop in without confidence you will probably mess up. I would start with a fairly wide flat box to get the feel or sliding. As you ride up the lip focus on making a solid pop, and then jump 90 degrees onto the box. A mistake beginners often make is turning to early on the lip. This will point you off to the side and it will be much harder to slide the whole box/rail. When you jump on pretend that you are jumping onto a skateboard, keep your weight balanced. Although you may want to, try not to lean back. Most rails will slide just fine with your weight centred. Once you on, look at the end of the rail and try and move as little as possible. Dig your edges into the rail to stop yourself if you feel yourself falling over. Hope that makes sense :P
Dec 8 2010 8:42PM
0 0
profile picture
cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
commit make sure your in the center stay forward and shred it up good luck bro
Dec 8 2010 8:53PM
0 0
profile picture
GayWolf420
Posts: 36694 - Karma: 110,667
Have a wide stance. Pop. Commit and try to stay on top of the rail. Also, Try to equally spread the balance out. Lean a bit foward.
Dec 8 2010 8:55PM
0 0
profile picture
pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
i don't know about anyone one else, but i found low urban on style rails to be the easiest when i was learning. but just as everyone else said, commit, and look to the end of the rail.
Dec 8 2010 9:00PM
0 0
profile picture
matt.s
Posts: 2502 - Karma: 93
a lot of issues i had was that i would hop onto the rail, but my body would stay at the same angle as the take off for the rail and i would go way backseat and die. make sure you keep a wide stance, and get forward. if you have enough speed, being forward should not cause any problems. especially use this advice for down rails. start on the flat, low-consequence rails, and progressively work your way up to the harder ones when you gain some confidence.
Dec 8 2010 9:55PM
0 0
profile picture
matt.s
Posts: 2502 - Karma: 93
also, when im coming in for a rail, i like to center my left ski with the rail before i jump on to it. (i slide right foot forward)

this might also help with urban style features in the future
Dec 8 2010 10:00PM
0 0
profile picture
tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
great thread!!!
ah anopther thing keep your feet in a wider stance dont have your feet narrow i was in the same boat last year once you got the balance and how to grip down you got it
Dec 8 2010 10:06PM
0 0
profile picture
joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Also with rails practice makes perfect. Just keep hitting the same rail over and over until you get it dialed. Eventually it will feel natural and you will learn to use your edges to stabilize yourself.
Dec 8 2010 10:40PM
0 0
profile picture
jakobk
Posts: 308 - Karma: 11
if you ever have a day when you have no one to ski with or you dont wanna go ski where everyone else is, spend a hour or two hiking a flat rail untill you get it dialed. unless you have a friend willing to hike with you
Dec 8 2010 10:59PM
0 0
profile picture
PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 608
just because YOU can't butter on your skis, doesn't make them stiff, you probably just suck
Dec 8 2010 11:01PM
0 1
profile picture
Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Helpful thread.
Dec 8 2010 11:09PM
0 0
profile picture
almajoy
Posts: 36 - Karma: 18
very helpful stuff
once i get the confidence everything will be a ton better...
Dec 8 2010 11:16PM
0 0
profile picture
PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 608
They are fun yes, but IMO, the benefits you get from having symmetrical skis (riding better switch) don't outweigh the cons (crappier skiing elsewhere on the mountain) I when learning to ski switch I had no problem learning on a non symmetrical ski, it really isn't that much different of a feeling (as long as you are centered or CLOSE to center, not 6 cm back, this DOES make a difference), and the traditional sidecut where the tail is slightly narrower than the tip skis waaaaayyy better when just making turns, and does better in teh deeper stuff if you ever do that on your park skis because the tail "sinks" more easily. hope this helps.

But don't listen to me if you dont want to, hell even I dont take my own advice, my park skis this year are symmetrical. Afterbangs would be just fine for you if you have your heart set on them, but I bet you would have a better time on something that doesnt have a crappy extruded base.
Dec 8 2010 11:27PM
0 0
profile picture
matt.s
Posts: 2502 - Karma: 93
this is key. look at a bunch of ski videos and watch how easily they do it, sometimes i feel its easier to try new things after watching other people do it with a good result and having it look good.
Dec 8 2010 11:27PM
0 0
profile picture
PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 608
absolutely. Really helps you know what the body positioning should look like, and they help build the stoke
Dec 8 2010 11:28PM
0 0
profile picture
.peter
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 63
Yo heres the deal hitting rails is the same as hitting boxes just skinnier and slicker
do it....
Dec 8 2010 11:38PM
0 0
profile picture
JP-ski
Posts: 106 - Karma: 25
ski towards the rail parallel to it not at it from an angle. then COMIT if you don't you'll slide out onto your ass.
Dec 9 2010 12:42AM
0 0
profile picture
almajoy
Posts: 36 - Karma: 18
this is true. everyone makes it look so easy... so i can do it too!
Dec 9 2010 10:26PM
0 0
profile picture
SpicyCat
Posts: 8 - Karma: 4
Remember to bend your knees, easier that way to keep your balance.
Dec 9 2010 10:37PM
0 0
profile picture
J_Dawgg
Posts: 10 - Karma: 18
Thanks a lot guys, really good advice.
Dec 10 2010 12:35AM
0 0
profile picture
THEDICKBUTCHER
Posts: 3067 - Karma: 673
for me rails are easier than boxes because I feel like I have a lot more control of my edges. I would rather hit a regular flat bar than a tall ass butter box, those freak me out haha. if the rail is low to the ground the worse thing that can happen is you hop on and transfer to the other side because you're not used to gripping rails. i've been having troubles committing to down barels tho
Dec 10 2010 1:40AM
0 0
profile picture
titsLOL
Posts: 7485 - Karma: 396
It's like learning to unicycle. You just gotta keep going for it, and you're gonna wipe out and look retarded for a while. Eventually you'll just get a feel for it and be able to balance just fine, but to everyone else you still look retarded.
Dec 10 2010 2:23AM
0 0
profile picture
GayWolf420
Posts: 36694 - Karma: 110,667
Very well put. Theres no better feeling than stomping a new trick or conquering a rail that you have been hitting a lot.
Dec 10 2010 10:15AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)