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May, 2025

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Learning rails

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Connor_Sullivan
Posts: 479 - Karma: 1,686
I want to actually progress in the park, but in the past had psyched myself out. I've gotten myself to the point where I'm down to try new things and was just looking for tips on how to get rails down
9 years ago
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,997
Start on boxes
Pop with ur shins pressed into your boots
Land sideways on feature
When learning you want to lean downhill on the feature ive found out
Bend knees on rail
Hop off
Stomp and get reaction
9 years ago
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,997
Also don't be afraid if slipping out because 95% of us did when learning and still do occasionally.
9 years ago
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Shawleen
Posts: 88 - Karma: 89
Do it. Fail. Walk up. Do it again.
Until you get it.
Enjoy :)

But yes, start on a box.
9 years ago
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Pole-Less
Posts: 197 - Karma: 543
The.FishAlso don't be afraid if slipping out because 95% of us did when learning and still do occasionally.


So true it doesn't hurt as much as it seems. Practice makes perf. When practicing rails if you start on easy stuff you gain confidence and if you do fall it's rarely on the rail. PVC is where I learned.
9 years ago
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Connor_Sullivan
Posts: 479 - Karma: 1,686
The.FishStart on boxes
Pop with ur shins pressed into your boots
Land sideways on feature
When learning you want to lean downhill on the feature ive found out
Bend knees on rail
Hop off
Stomp and get reaction



Thanks for the advice, K+ to you. Only question I have is should I be centered on the kicker when it's a ride on box or should I be coming into the kicker on the outer side, carving in the direction I'll be spinning onto the rail?
9 years ago
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Shoey-Ski
Posts: 1649 - Karma: 6,199
This might sound crazy but the way I learned was sagged my pants so low, I had to keep my legs apart to keep my pants up, haha it works , it teaches you to have a wide stance which gives you more balance and helps you not slip out
9 years ago
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fries
Posts: 2978 - Karma: 7,522
Connor_SullivanThanks for the advice, K+ to you. Only question I have is should I be centered on the kicker when it's a ride on box or should I be coming into the kicker on the outer side, carving in the direction I'll be spinning onto the rail?


Starting out, come on straight (preferably with a rail or box that doesn't stick up above the jump) and hit it centered. That's called straddling and it's easy but later on, you will have to learn to come on from the side on rails that stick up higher than the kicker. This is called urban and you come on straight as you would but to the side of it
9 years ago
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Shawleen
Posts: 88 - Karma: 89
Connor_SullivanOnly question I have is should I be centered on the kicker when it's a ride on box or should I be coming into the kicker on the outer side, carving in the direction I'll be spinning onto the rail?


I did start centered , but i guess if you feel more confort coming a bit aside thats up to you (you will need to learnd both anyways, depending of the settings).
9 years ago
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neleson
Posts: 386 - Karma: 1,091
ShawleenI did start centered , but i guess if you feel more confort coming a bit aside thats up to you (you will need to learnd both anyways, depending of the settings).


I think on many rails its a bit safer frome the side.
9 years ago
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tris10radeka
Posts: 267 - Karma: 665
what really helped me was building a pvc rail the exact size I wanted. I leaned everything i can do alone, without any pressure from friends or other skiers. The best thing to deal with fear Is to start on the easiest box you can find and work your way up
9 years ago
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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,377
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/741098/How-To-Hit-A-Rail-On-Skis-
9 years ago
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BagOTricks
Posts: 819 - Karma: 3,377
SonOfAnderhttps://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/741098/How-To-Hit-A-Rail-On-Skis-


Hopefully this helps!
9 years ago
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BianKarrett
Posts: 360 - Karma: 2,110
Connor_SullivanThanks for the advice, K+ to you. Only question I have is should I be centered on the kicker when it's a ride on box or should I be coming into the kicker on the outer side, carving in the direction I'll be spinning onto the rail?

Yeah definitely do this, it will be fundamental to learn hop ons. I always see people who are learning rails they don't turn the full 90 degrees which will make you fall off early. Also lean downhill so you don't slip out.
9 years ago
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-frosty-
Posts: 184 - Karma: 309
Hey man I'm new to park aswell and I'm going to try learning ski slides this weekend. Keep the advice coming :)!!!!!!!! Thanks everyone
9 years ago
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,673
Ive had the hardest time learning rails. It took me absolutely forever to figure out boxes and the transition to rails is even harder for me.


One piece of advice i can give u is LOOK AT THE END OF THE RAIL. Keep your eyes locked on it. It'll help you get to the end of the feature as well as keeping your weight more downhill so you dont slip out
9 years ago
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Lus146
Posts: 422 - Karma: 2,282
Don't be a pussy. I'm not saying this to be a dick, it's real advice. Just commit to turning 90 degrees. Speed is your friend. Don't lead back. Look into the rail. Don't ski like a boner, be loosey goosey. Good luck dude I still struggle and am a huge pussy on rails but they're fun when you get them!
9 years ago
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Gr0mo
Posts: 707 - Karma: 3,663
Look down the rail NOT AT YOUR FEET!

Swing your entire body sideways. COMMIT!

make sure your feet get above the rail before going 90. Be patient getting onto the rail!

Center your weight. DO NOT LEAN BACK!
9 years ago
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Swandog7
Posts: 4957 - Karma: 9,033
My friends are at the same stage but are starting to slide. The only thing that is holding them back is they don't pop onto rails. They immediately turn while they are still on the lip and barely get on to the rail even if its a ride on. Don't over emphasize the pop either tho. You don't need to be a huge stiff dick on and prevent your self from getting a full 90 degree turn
9 years ago
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Swandog7
Posts: 4957 - Karma: 9,033
Swandog7My friends are at the same stage but are starting to slide. The only thing that is holding them back is they don't pop onto rails. They immediately turn while they are still on the lip and barely get on to the rail even if its a ride on. Don't over emphasize the pop either tho. You don't need to be a huge stiff dick on and prevent your self from getting a full 90 degree turn


Also to add on, look at the end of the rail right as you get on the rail, you go where you look. Another thing, don't rush turning your body. Wait until your ski are above the rail. This is really important for higher rails that make you come from the side.
9 years ago
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,997
Also keep your feet under you when you jump. If your body is behind your feet then its a guaranteed slip out. Just keep hiking the box. Don't worry about pedaling or gripping the rail its too hard to learn at the start.
9 years ago
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devin
Posts: 133 - Karma: 199
keep pressure on your front foot and look towards the end of the rail when you are sideways
9 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52614 - Karma: 174,461
The angle you approach the rail is important. A lot of people come at a heavy angle so they're already sideways but this sends you into the rail at a weird angle and will make it far more difficult. You want to come at the rail almost straight with a slight angle if it's an urban, or straight on if it's flat.

Commit to getting sideways. Another easy way to fall is to half ass it. Your brain will tell you this is a good thing to do, because you're scared, but your brain is dumb, don't listen. The more squared up you are the better your chances are of success.

Keep your weight centered. Don't lean back. Your brain will tell you that leaning back is a great idea, once again, your brain sucks, don't listen. Most actually nearly all people hitting rails for the first time actually slip out toward the take off.

Imo, those are the 3 main things people get wrong when learning.
9 years ago
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koolkale
Posts: 109 - Karma: 1,411
You always want to come out switch when learning rails, because it gets you more side ways. A problem most beginners have is not being fully sideways. Just think about landing switch. Also the first rail trick you should learn is blind 2, because it uses the concept of coming out switch. If you learn front 2s, you may get into a bad habit of not being sideways the whole time.
9 years ago
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SteezeJibberton
Posts: 155 - Karma: 285
I'm in the same spot as you, I've found that one of the most helpful things for me is to watch the end of the rail. Definitely stops me from putting my weight too far back
9 years ago
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