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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Is it a bad idea to start trying to hit rails when I only started skiing a couple weeks ago?

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dvo777
Posts: 12 - Karma: 189
Went skiing last weekend for the first time in 5 or 6 years - I'm pretty bad, I got comfortable going down greens and blues (no pizza) but I definitely lack technique and control. Next time I go skiing I'm going to get a lesson but I don't have the opportunity to drive up to a resort until my basketball season is over (late February). I really want to ski in the meantime, so I was planning to go get some PVC pipe from home depot and build like a 10 foot rail in my yard this weekend to practice on when I get snow. Is it a mistake to start trying to hit rails when my basic skiing is still pretty subpar? Like is that gonna fuck up my progress later or something? I just really don't want to be sitting on my ass when I could be skiing, even if I can't make it up to a resort for a few weeks. Appreciate any advice
3 years ago
31 0
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abcdefu
Posts: 182 - Karma: 812
I think its a great idea to start hitting a box. Start with riding on 5050 and getting used to having your skis flat on top of box. then try to ride on 5050 and slowly turn your legs 90 degrees while on the box. Make sure to keep your feet flat on the box otherwise you will fall. When you feel comfortable sliding sideways you can try hopping 90 degrees onto the box and landing full 90 and sliding the whole thing. After your comfortable with that then move to rails.
3 years ago
20 0
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weastcoat
Posts: 6499 - Karma: 75,276
hell naw. I know kids that have slid a rail as soon as they learned to pizza pretty much. Go for it homie, but definitely progress your fundamental skiing skills alongside your park skills.
3 years ago
29 0
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Deez_Mcskis
Posts: 383 - Karma: 3,791
Been skiing for 11 years and still can't do rails well, but maybe I just don't ski park enough.

Would be sick if you showed me up, might motivate me to harden the fuck up and learn to do rails properly.
3 years ago
19 0
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Dilldoes
Posts: 761 - Karma: 5,852
Taught my little sister bf how to do the ninja flip or whatever it's called after like 15 days on snow. Give it a try. Some pick it up super fast.
3 years ago
7 0
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12696 - Karma: 119,769
Terrible idea in general. I've been skiing for over 20 years and I have yet to hit one of these "rail" features
3 years ago
32 1
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yungspliffy
Posts: 194 - Karma: 1,906
Dude go for it, pvc is a great place to learn rail balance, especially with no one watching. You'll find that its 90% mental/confidence as long as you're relatively athletic. I miss learning rails, its when you progress the quickest. I was doing front 4s like 2 weeks after hitting my first rail. Also don't worry about your all mountain skiing being subpar, I know kids who can't ski double blacks properly but can 7 off a jump
3 years ago
5 2
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,604
SEEEEEEEEEND IT

Maybe dont set DIN's at 16
3 years ago
12 0
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SirSponkerJohn
Posts: 96 - Karma: 645
pvc wont hurt so yeah go for it!
3 years ago
6 0
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Backwrdstoaster
Posts: 17 - Karma: 296
Hell no the best way to learn is to try if you aren’t calling you aren’t learning it’s not as hard as you think my homie who boards hit a rail his second time skiing. Also best way to learn is to ask people in the park some people are dicks but for the most part people will help you out.
3 years ago
2 0
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dvo777
Posts: 12 - Karma: 189
weastcoathell naw. I know kids that have slid a rail as soon as they learned to pizza pretty much. Go for it homie, but definitely progress your fundamental skiing skills alongside your park skills.


Sick ok thanks
3 years ago
2 0
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,215
dvo7777Went skiing last weekend for the first time in 5 or 6 years - I'm pretty bad, I got comfortable going down greens and blues (no pizza) but I definitely lack technique and control. Next time I go skiing I'm going to get a lesson but I don't have the opportunity to drive up to a resort until my basketball season is over (late February). I really want to ski in the meantime, so I was planning to go get some PVC pipe from home depot and build like a 10 foot rail in my yard this weekend to practice on when I get snow. Is it a mistake to start trying to hit rails when my basic skiing is still pretty subpar? Like is that gonna fuck up my progress later or something? I just really don't want to be sitting on my ass when I could be skiing, even if I can't make it up to a resort for a few weeks. Appreciate any advice


Hey we all started somewhere haha, I would stay away from the ramp park for awhile and focus on the foundations. All you need is a 2x4. Lay that sucker on the ground ice it up real nice and start sliding, my new skier friend! Hopefully 1 day we will see you in the park!!!
3 years ago
4 2
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skierman
Posts: 8595 - Karma: 9,454
Well the Chinese aerialists can send triple flips but they cannot ski down a blue run.... I think you'll be OK
3 years ago
4 1
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X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,339
nah send it
3 years ago
2 0
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Rdavis
Posts: 1 - Karma: 20
I started hitting features pretty much as soon as I started learning how to ski. If that’s all you have access to right now I 100% say go for it, my only piece of advice though is to make sure you don’t just back burner the fundamentals. Even just standing on the ground and practicing popping and doing standing 180s, nollies and other small things like that will help familiarize you with your skis which will help with control in actual skiing as well as help with doing tricks later down the line and can be down in your backyard. And when you get to the mountain whenever that may be not getting too excited and solely sticking to the park but making sure you also are getting all mountain laps in
3 years ago
6 0
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dvo777
Posts: 12 - Karma: 189
RdavisI started hitting features pretty much as soon as I started learning how to ski. If that’s all you have access to right now I 100% say go for it, my only piece of advice though is to make sure you don’t just back burner the fundamentals. Even just standing on the ground and practicing popping and doing standing 180s, nollies and other small things like that will help familiarize you with your skis which will help with control in actual skiing as well as help with doing tricks later down the line and can be down in your backyard. And when you get to the mountain whenever that may be not getting too excited and solely sticking to the park but making sure you also are getting all mountain laps in


Thx for the tips I'll definitely practice those things :)
3 years ago
2 0
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,215
skiermanWell the Chinese aerialists can send triple flips but they cannot ski down a blue run.... I think you'll be OK


So what your trying to say is that your a racist and think that chinese people can't ski yet these people are doing triple corks and u can't ya thats funny dawg.
3 years ago
0 2
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skierman
Posts: 8595 - Karma: 9,454
DeadBSo what your trying to say is that your a racist and think that chinese people can't ski yet these people are doing triple corks and u can't ya thats funny dawg.


Nah, I'm saying they're fucking gymnastics on skis, you racist piece of shit.
3 years ago
2 1
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,215
skiermanNah, I'm saying they're fucking gymnastics on skis, you racist piece of shit.


Your the racist??? I simply called u out and now look at u gettin all defensive.
3 years ago
0 1
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skierman
Posts: 8595 - Karma: 9,454
DeadBYour the racist??? I simply called u out and now look at u gettin all defensive.


You cannot spell.
3 years ago
1 1
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,215
skiermanYou cannot spell.


Can Not** dumbass I'll put u over my head and toss u like a pizza.
3 years ago
0 0
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abcdefu
Posts: 182 - Karma: 812
TRVP_ANGELTerrible idea in general. I've been skiing for over 20 years and I have yet to hit one of these "rail" features

Theyre for punks who like to ruin their skis
3 years ago
1 0
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theabortionator
Posts: 52560 - Karma: 173,813
Learning to hit rails as you learn to ski is great. The only thing stopping that is usually the person not wanting to which is obviously fine. If you want to? Send it.
3 years ago
2 0
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PhlebotomistOld
Posts: 195 - Karma: 1,518
If you put the work in you could be the first with a hoop mixtape and super unknown edit
3 years ago
0 0
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