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I'm a beginner at park that just built a pvc box for my summer setup so I can learn to slide a box before the season starts. I seem to be making a lot of progress with it, which is weird because ive had no luck in past attempts at terrain parks, and i'm not slipping out or anything, so i'm wondering how well pvc boxes slide compared to ones at terrain parks. my main concern is that i'll learn to slide my home made box, and then when i try to do the same at an actual park, i'll slip out because of the difference. Keep in mind im covering the pvc with wax and/or laundry detergent as suggested to make it more slippery. any info/pointers appreciated!
You shouldn't slip out regardless of whatever the box construction is....
If you find yourself slipping out its because of 2 simple things.
1) Mental preparation -> everything in skiing is mental (in a certain way). Before you approach the box you need to try to be as confident as possible to ease the fear you might have. What helps to is to imagine what you want to do on the box. So obviously you are going to want to come to the box from the side (urban on) or straight on coming into it with a good speed knowing you are going to bend your legs and pop while rotating your lower body 90 degrees, keeping your eyes locked on the end of the box. Your weight should be distributed evenly or slightly towards your forward foot. Reminding yourself of all these steps and being confident knowing you have the longest slong on the hill will help you get over this mental gap.
2) Gripping/Locking onto the rail.
This is simply done using the edges under your skis... when you are turn 90 degrees onto the box, try to raise your front toe towards the sky slightly. Keep your eyes locked towards the end of the box but try to restrict any movement from your lower body until you get to the end of the rail. This scissoring technique ( cause it looks like a pair of open scissors) will prevent you from moving or slipping on the box. By pressing that edge into the side of the box will help you have better control and stability. It will also help prepare you for throwing tricks off of boxes / developing your locking onto feature skills.
I really hope this helps.... explaining things vividly is hard especially when it comes second nature to you.
Here is a photo that give you a better idea.
Sorry for the long read, but hopefully this will help. It doesn't matter what the feature/construction is (box, rail, pipe , tube, pvc, metal, barbwire, nails etc) you will want to utilize this technique on all features.
Sliding the box will be almost the same as a real one, just do the same thing you do at home, don't lean back, look at the end, come in feeling confident, lock in, you'll be fine!
One more thing to add, if your on a flat box at home remember to find one similar on the field for your first go. If you go straight to a down box you will need to lean further forward (than you would for a flat box)/match your angle with the angle of the down box otherwise you will probably end up sliding out on your hip.
Honestly just skip boxes and get a PVC tube. A 6" diameter pvc tube will not feel that much different from a box. You'll fall a lot your first few times but you'll jumpstart your progression. Just dedicate one whole day to learning how to slide it.
BeefiestExpertBefore you approach the box you need to try to be as confident as possible to ease the fear you might have.
This! If you're overly nervous or doubt yourself you're gonna be sketch. The more relaxed and confident you are riding in and hitting it, the better.
You're gonna realize that it isn't that difficult and the more you think about it, the harder it is and the more likely you are to lean too far forward/back. Just trust yourself and let it happen!
Well if your are at some shitty little resort in the Midwest #bmbw the box you made will probably slide significantly better and when you go to the park you will stick. This is why you skip straight to rails. More control and less sticky.
Dunderflipive literally never seen good advice for sliding rails or boxes on this forum
disagree, ive seen lots of good advice on here and gained from it a ton when i was learning. the keys to rails are
-lean forward
-look at the end of the rail
-turn a full 90*
-lean forward
-seriously tho lean forward
-practice practice practice
-watch good skiers and ask them specific questions that arise from your attempts
tacolifeThis is why you skip straight to rails. More control and less sticky.
i agree, boxes give you less edge control and are inconsistent in their slipperiness, id suggest just starting with a low flat rail and hitting it over and over. and did i mention you should lean forward?
