Member of the Month

theabortionator
April, 2025

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!

Why do flat rails scare me

profile picture
yessirskiii_
Posts: 245 - Karma: 1,684
Been skiing since I moved to Colorado (3 seasons) and I’m honestly not too bad for only riding that long
i like sliding circular things but once the metal gets flat my head and gut say no
any tips or does anyone else get this?
4 years ago
14 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 8083 - Karma: 64,390
I thought I’d like slip out or something on flat bars but I just put more pressure on the front foot so I couldn’t slip out and they worked. I could gradually put less pressure on the front foot and stand more upright when sliding flat surface style rails
4 years ago
6 0
profile picture
MiIfHunter
Posts: 3978 - Karma: 4,281
Easier to catch an edge on. Try to get comfortable with rounder railers
4 years ago
3 3
profile picture
MoneyMakerMike
Posts: 1254 - Karma: 5,764
MiIfHunterEasier to catch an edge on. Try to get comfortable with rounder railers


you don't even ski shut up
4 years ago
30 0
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13220 - Karma: 20,277
Take a lower stance and bail off the rail early to get the feel. Second lap, go nail it!

Rails can be unpredictable, depending on the resort and the weather. Keep at her man
4 years ago
13 0
profile picture
casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,753
Flat bars are easy, if you’re sliding tubes and single barrel rails, you’ll have no problems. Send it!
4 years ago
13 0
profile picture
BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7517 - Karma: 66,785
I understand your fear.
I like flat bars. They have a different, more “friction” and “hollow” feel but I have always liked them. Then I had a pair of skis that just fought me (I think edge high pair). They made me terrified of flat bars. But that was just the skis. I got over it and back at it. But because of that, I can understand.

I think if you get too used to mailbox/tubes, you get an unrealistic idea of how slippery rails are. Flat bars/shotguns were actually always easier for me because I felt I had time to feel the rail and set a spin. Flat bars especially. They’re how I learned back 2 outs

The 90 degree edge on each side allows you to bite into it and set a spin, whereas a tube/mailbox isn’t as easy to learn to bite your edges on. It’s a delicate balance and the fact that you can dip on and off the edge on flat bars helps a lot.
4 years ago
8 0
profile picture
dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,095
Its your subconscious fear you have of ripping out your skis edges on a rail and ruining your 600$ skis.

dont worry, ruining your skis edges isnt the worst thing in the world....

it is pretty close tho
haha
4 years ago
6 2
profile picture
bogust
Posts: 715 - Karma: 7,422
The key to hitting rails that don't seem possible in your head is to just do it and not think about it. Ive stood at the top of the park trying to visual hitting A-frame rails and in the end I just had to go for it and it all worked out. sometimes you cant visualize hitting features and you just have to trust your muscle memory and everything will work out.
4 years ago
10 0
profile picture
Chrischi69
Posts: 652 - Karma: 5,064
Tbh dont worry about it its pretty easy and similar to a round rail i used to hate them too it just took a few tries and i was confortable
4 years ago
2 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
yessirskiii_Been skiing since I moved to Colorado (3 seasons) and I’m honestly not too bad for only riding that long
i like sliding circular things but once the metal gets flat my head and gut say no
any tips or does anyone else get this?


Meditation man!


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/851717/Deep-Meditation-For-Riding-Boxes--amp--Rails
4 years ago
5 2
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9716 - Karma: 65,484
that's not weird at all really, sliding a flat bar has lots more contact area on the metal and you can often feel the stronger friction/grip on them

however they're totally fine, all this means is you should keep practicing and you'll get more comfortable with rails and how they feel, soon you won't sweat them
4 years ago
6 0
profile picture
Skier_man05
Posts: 57 - Karma: 321
My trick is just say fuck it and send that shit. Don't overthink it
4 years ago
0 0
profile picture
mikemac
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 3,711
They definitely create more friction versus a box or a round feature, def wanna take a lil more speed to counteract the friction, just make sure your balance is on point so you don’t catch an edge
4 years ago
5 0
profile picture
ASAPCarter
Posts: 934 - Karma: 10,578
Def go a bit faster than you normally would. That’s the only problem I’ve really had, just not making it all the way to the end. They’re honestly pretty mellow though.
4 years ago
3 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 6:55PM