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April, 2025

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How long did it take you to get sick at rails?

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Midwestjibski
Posts: 1676 - Karma: 77
Alright so last year was my first season I learned a 360 on jumps and sliding rails without extra tricks.  I built a rail up north this summer and learned a frontside 270 out.  This year I plan to work really hard at getting good at rails.  I want to be able to do 270s out both ways, backside and frontside switchups, and 270s on.  I have a few questions for all of you guys that are sick at rails.

How long did it take you to get good at rails or learn the tricks I posted above?

I'm not very good at just going unnatural on, but will unnatural be easier when I am doing a switchup, 270 on or switch on?

Dumb question, but did you have alot of really bad falls?

Thanks a ton guys
16 years ago
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,899
from when I started getting confortable sliding rails it took be about 2 seasons to BS and frontside sw up, and spin onto flat bars, spin onto and off of boxes, and 3 seasons to switch up, k-fed, and 450 out of bigger rails.

I only spent about 25-35 days a year on snow, to give you an idea. In all honesty though I didn't push myself too hard every time I went skiing. If you really want to you can get good fast if you just keep focused, keep trying new tricks, and practice your ass off.
16 years ago
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FREEskiLINE
Posts: 882 - Karma: 17
iv talked to u about this before hah but this is the key... Practice Practice Practice!... i could only slide rails strait when last season ended and then i built a summer setup in my backyard and literaly without ever being on snow i learned how to 270 on k-feds double switch-ups and so on... And i cant stress what im about to say more ***even if u get a trick down keep doing it until it feels natural and easy***... once you get your basic spins and switchups its all about linking those tricks together... also it helps your style a ton... in my mind I cant do a trick properly until it has good style... i mean sure anyone can go out and do flairy arm switchups and such but IMO it doesnt count until it has decent style... Again IMO... hope that helps
16 years ago
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,899
you're not likely to get seriously hurt if you try tricks on boxes and low rails, your thighs are going to get badly bruised, which hurts like a bitch when you fall.
16 years ago
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FREEskiLINE
Posts: 882 - Karma: 17
exactly thats another good thing... take it slow... start off on rails that are comfortable to u... boxes always help to
16 years ago
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Midwestjibski
Posts: 1676 - Karma: 77
Thanks for the answers guys.  Anyone else have some input?
16 years ago
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KennyC
Posts: 1922 - Karma: 46
ya im tecnically not "sick" at rails but ive just been learning to slide as clean as i can each time. i also had the same questions as you too, so this is a helpful thread.
16 years ago
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Kev
Posts: 7411 - Karma: 35
ultimately don't think so much, just be confident and visualize that shit. you can do it. find a rhythm.
your out there to have fun.
as far as getting hurt, just start on boxes
16 years ago
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AnthonyMoceri
Posts: 140 - Karma: 15
im pretty sure ive actually given you some tips at my holly before.... Just come out this year and shred  as much as you can. the more practice you get the better youll get. everyone there is always up for helping out too
16 years ago
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Malcolm
Posts: 15953 - Karma: 9,501
if you sesh a box with friends for hours on end then you will for sure start to get good
16 years ago
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Chronic_
Posts: 1730 - Karma: 1,603
this is good advice...unless your me, i always find ways to fall in the most awkward painful positions even on low boxes haha. but really what he said was great advice, visualize, have fun, if its stressin you out take a couple runs and come back to it, and start small
16 years ago
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Midwestjibski
Posts: 1676 - Karma: 77
Hey thanks for all the responses. +K.  I am just going to visualize, practice practice practice, and ultimately have fun.
16 years ago
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
1st season I learned to slide one way and go out switch. Second I got front switch ups, switch ons, 270 on, maybe a couple back 2s and front 2s. I think I learned switch 2 ons at hood that summer.

Last season I learned everything I had learned before the other way too and I also got backside switch ups, front 4 out. 450 on variety of pretzels. I also learned how to do it on rails, I did most stuff on boxes before. Its not hard to get a good bag of tricks but looking good is a little harder.
16 years ago
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-KYLE-
Posts: 3390 - Karma: 603

good thread.

helped me a lot.

16 years ago
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cool.
Posts: 3457 - Karma: 1,725
to do most of the tricks you listed it took me about a season to get comfortable with them on boxes and do them on some rails. then by the second season of doing them on boxes and easier rails i brought them to bigger rails and added some style then lots of swap combos kind of went from there.

but i would suggest practicing them a lot and getting comfortable with them on boxes and small rails then bring them to the bigger rails.

i was mostly talking about 2sevs and switch ups there.
16 years ago
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Keith_M
Posts: 796 - Karma: 772
OP, im about the same situation as you, skied one season and built a summer setup. i can 270 on and out FS and BS, and pretzel and landed a couple k feds and things like that. Point, it doesn't take long to learn rail stuff
16 years ago
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bananas
Posts: 1419 - Karma: 160
about 3seconds, i fell on my stomach and almost threw up
16 years ago
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
learned all that stuff and a bit more last season
16 years ago
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Uncle.Badness
Posts: 2562 - Karma: 243
I pretty much learned k-feds, 270 on, switch ups and double switch ups the same day.
16 years ago
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willy_baller
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 693
by no means am i "sick" because i just got these down to the point were i can do them but not styley. last weekend i went to abasin and hiked the park all day... when i got there i could bs 270.... by the end of the day i could 270 on switch 270 on fs and bs switch ups and fs 270 off i also could add a switch up and 270 off after 270 on.... it just takes commitment and determination. just go for it, dont be scared to try things because the worst that could happen is u bruise ur ass. i didnt have any bad crashes that whole day either.
16 years ago
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jibbnsteezy
Posts: 183 - Karma: 8
I think this should be stickie'd
16 years ago
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
that is totally what she said
16 years ago
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
hahah that was good
16 years ago
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DaveM
Posts: 2936 - Karma: 1,562
No matter what sport your involved in, if you want to progress the likeihood of bailing becomes higher so dont be afraid to have a few spills to learn new tricks. the only thing that holds you back from becomming a better skiier is your state of mind. if your too scared to do something your obviously not going to do it, trying the trick and maybe even falling a few time will break the ice and get you on the path to sucess. dont be afraid to wipe out!
16 years ago
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ajax
Posts: 2855 - Karma: 1,259
I didn't read all the replies, but to answer one of your questions, sliding unnatural for me is a lot easier after a 270 or a switch up. Starting unnatural still feels, well, unnatural. After a spin it feels just fine.
16 years ago
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.peter
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 63
The nice thing about rails is you get to be super creative with it, and while I can't say I've ben skiing rails for that long, I can tell you what I know:

1. Always look at the end of the rail
2. Always look at the end of the rule... (always gotta have a Fight Club reference.)
Anyway.
3. The worst mistake you can make is convincing yourself that you're good at rails because there is always someone (not just pros) whose way better, so having fun is key
4. Worry about style, more than on jumps, style can make an easy rail took look sick or a really hard one look stupid. I can't tell you how many terrible 450 ons I've seen, but I've also seen some insane tail slides (tail presses).
5. Go fast (it looks better once you're comfortable that is)
6. If you get it the 1st time congrats, if not hike until you get it, never say last try, and keep doing something after you get it the 1st time until you get it down.
7. Foot locks are everything, start them earlier than you think.
8. Don't be afraid to change your trick mid trick, sometimes it pays off.
9. Simple tricks are often the coolest looking ones (look at Paco Garcia's BS 270 out in T&S Days 2)
10. Watch snowboard videos, they'll give you an awesome outlook on skiing rails. The CASG edits are sick too.
11. Don't be afraid of anything. chances are if you can slide the box version of something, you can slide the rail version. (unless you have a really sketchy park then maybe b a little cautious)
12. Don't be a style jacker, be yourself.
13. the 4bi9 crew are the only ones who look good afterbanging. (sorry everyone else)
14. Know how sharp your edges are. And don't spend all day on rails as fun as it is. You'll learn so much from just skiing around in the "side country".
15. Have an Open Mind and Have fun.

Good luck man.
16 years ago
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daytripper67
Posts: 681 - Karma: 11
"I'm not very good at just going unnatural on, but will unnatural be easier when I am doing a switchup, 270 on or switch on?"

yeah its definitely easier, for me at least. i learned regular unnatty slides way after switch 270 on (which puts me on the rail unnatty) and fs switchups. i also learned 270on/270out and 270in/270out before straight unnatty slides if that says anything. to be honest even now i never just jump on unnatural except for small rails like in my backyard
as for the rest of your questions, just practice, be confident (commit to whatever youre doing or just dont do it) and watch videos it seriously helps you
16 years ago
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O-A_s
Posts: 373 - Karma: 58
Im going to start on my thrd season now with alot of skills from summer setups but last season i could do: 270 pretzel 270, 270 off both ways, 270 on variations, blindside swup( couldt do frontside cause i suck at unatty spins).

On a summer setup ive spent the last weeks on ive learned k-fed, frontside swup pretzel 270, fs swup prtzel swup, blind swup to fs swup.

So im stoked to get ill on rails this season too!

16 years ago
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mynilla
Posts: 554 - Karma: 58
this thread is really helping me out
16 years ago
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dylansiggers
Posts: 1667 - Karma: 6,097
Set up a rail in your yard and hit it all fall with arena snow, that helped me progress really fast
16 years ago
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travispersaud
Posts: 501 - Karma: 42

for 270's on it would help to learn how to slide unnatural but thats not the route i took. just work on them on boxes and that will help you develop confidence for 270's sliding unnatural first. then just work up in feature difficulty. and my advice would be to stay on lower rails until you got them locked for sure.

16 years ago
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ChadThundercock
Posts: 3071 - Karma: 835
first, buy a 40 sack of weed. smoke 2 bowls in the car on the way to the mountain. hike the same rail until what you learn what you want to learn. repeat about 5-6 times and you will be great at rails, guarenteed or your money back.
16 years ago
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Ski..4..Life
Posts: 1347 - Karma: 97
this is a good thread for me too because im not very good at them, and dont like them that much

so many bad experiences. so many bruises. couldnt sit down for like 5 days after one incident.
very painful.
the thing is you dont feel it when your up the mountain, but the next day and the ride home is just painful.

but this year im just gonna go for it. wanna start hitting some sick urbans around my university
16 years ago
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highaltNM
Posts: 552 - Karma: 52
For me it was all about riding with my friends....  I was scared shitless to 270 on when I first started but the second that my friend tried it, I wasn't about to be outdone.  Anytime we were learning something new, it was on a low rail. 

Once I got confidence and started riding with more speed, everything became so much easier.  270 out is like butta when you just float off the end of the rail.
16 years ago
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kvan
Posts: 3086 - Karma: 1,232
the only way to learn new tricks is to just go for it
16 years ago
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Pee_and_Ski
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 57
i dont know iv been skiing forever and i blow dick on rails but they are fun so i keep tryiing, and falling and looking retarted
16 years ago
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Midwestjibski
Posts: 1676 - Karma: 77
I decided to bring back this thread now that it is the end of the season.  I wouldn't call myself sick at rails, but I did accomplish everything that I hoped for this year.  Both 270s out.  Both switchups.  Switch on. 270 on.  Thanks for all the responses to this thread.  They gave me confidence to accomplish my goals.
15 years ago
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ReetsAdeets
Posts: 1531 - Karma: 611
1st season I learned to slide them, come off switch (very easy, actually did that the first time I successfully slid a box.), and do do a sketchy frontside 270 out. This season I can easily do 270s out both ways, switch on, and then switch on to 270 out either way. Just have fun doing stuff, and the tricks will come. Push your friends and they will push you.l
15 years ago
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Lemuel
Posts: 14544 - Karma: 11,151
I just got comfortable on rails this year.  Last year I wasn't too comfortable on them, I hit teh down rail at my mountain and that was it, no spins or anything.  This year, I got 270 off both ways, blind switch ups, and 270 onto smaller rails.  And my season ended on January 22nd so who knows how much I could have learned.  I find it alot easier if you hit the rail straight, thinking about what you want to try and visualize it, then hike it and try it.  Whenever I hike, I always try it and most of the time I stick it.  It doesn't take long if you commit to trying something new.
15 years ago
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,840
1st year of park I started getting comfortable with them. Then the summer after I built a summer setup. I did not learn many new tricks on it, but I just got super comfortable with scissoring and sliding. Then I took it to the snow and I was sort of learning stuff.  Then a friend and i were seshing a 15 foot flatbox and I put it all together. I learned 270s on, front and blind swaps, blinds 2s, and k feds. It was just the product of alot of practice. I never pushed myself hard, and I still don't have those tricks on lock, but I was just feeling like learning and the setup was good so things just happened.
15 years ago
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Da_CONK
Posts: 528 - Karma: 93
my threads.. im at the level of rails the OP is on and want to improve on a summer setup.  This is great advice thanks guys
15 years ago
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DutchhGutss
Posts: 896 - Karma: 124

Deffinetly good help!

Rials just seem so much more intimidating, but ive found by moving forward ski up or down it makes it way easier and puts more style I think into the tricks, I never really knew it worked untill I tried it!

15 years ago
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Mtougas
Posts: 870 - Karma: 77
Backyard setup during last summer. Lots of sweat and dirt.
15 years ago
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Negro_Jesus
Posts: 1789 - Karma: 91
 
15 years ago
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JahJahBinks
Posts: 3567 - Karma: 461
Just ski in your backyard all day. Everyday
15 years ago
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9243 - Karma: 5,678
Rollerblading maybe? I feel super confident on mostly all rails/boxes. And I like rails better than jumps. I wish i had a backyard setup. And I have such a perfect setup, I already have a ramp coming down from my deck since the people who owned the house previously had a handicapped person.
15 years ago
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thelizards
Posts: 4042 - Karma: 43
threads
15 years ago
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TOUCHE
Posts: 1183 - Karma: 162
this thread is so helpful.

thanks guys
15 years ago
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thebeesknees
Posts: 3660 - Karma: 160
first, just to clarify, i dont consider myself anywhere close to being sick at rails.  ive only been skiing park for two years.  first year i learned to slide most rails and all boxes and land switch and 270 off.  second year i learned switch ons, 270 off, pretzel 270 offs, the occasional 450 off, 270 ons, and switch ups both ways.  i progressed alot and i would definitely reccomend building a summer setup.  that is where i learned the majority of those tricks.  i get really motivated to land something when im seshing my setup.  if im with my friends, we all push each other to land new stuff.  in conclusion, it takes time, but you'll get it.
15 years ago
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ridearmada14
Posts: 441 - Karma: 13
it took me probrably about 6 years to get extremely comfortable on rails. On the 4th year or so i started working on unnatty on, and switch on, as well as 2 ons. Pretzel's take aw hile to learn but once you get em, it opens up a whole load of tricks.
15 years ago
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