Member of the Month

SchizoSkier
May, 2023

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: 240 - Karma: 1,652
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?
Apr 12 2021 10:21PM
14 0
profile picture
WoFlowz
Posts: 7019 - Karma: 60,866
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
Apr 12 2021 10:24PM
6 0
profile picture
MiIfHunter
Posts: 3978 - Karma: 4,195
Easier to catch an edge on. Try to get comfortable with rounder railers
Apr 12 2021 10:31PM
3 3
profile picture
MoneyMakerMike
Posts: 1254 - Karma: 5,743
MiIfHunterEasier to catch an edge on. Try to get comfortable with rounder railers


you don't even ski shut up
Apr 12 2021 10:40PM
30 0
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 12747 - Karma: 15,123
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
Apr 12 2021 11:21PM
13 0
profile picture
casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,737
Flat bars are easy, if you’re sliding tubes and single barrel rails, you’ll have no problems. Send it!
Apr 13 2021 12:49AM
13 0
profile picture
BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 5780 - Karma: 48,618
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.
Apr 13 2021 12:52AM
8 0
profile picture
dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,092
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
Apr 13 2021 3:12AM
6 2
profile picture
bogust
Posts: 617 - Karma: 6,440
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.
Apr 13 2021 9:30AM
10 0
profile picture
Chrischi69
Posts: 652 - Karma: 5,052
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
Apr 13 2021 9:40PM
2 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11140 - Karma: 75,038
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
Apr 13 2021 10:13PM
5 2
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 8165 - Karma: 49,969
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
Apr 14 2021 9:40AM
6 0
profile picture
Skier_man05
Posts: 57 - Karma: 316
My trick is just say fuck it and send that shit. Don't overthink it
Apr 18 2021 5:41PM
0 0
profile picture
mikemac
Posts: 1246 - Karma: 3,281
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
Apr 18 2021 8:53PM
5 0
profile picture
ASAPCarter
Posts: 870 - Karma: 9,434
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.
Apr 18 2021 9:15PM
3 0
All times are Eastern (-4)