Replying to How to Slide a Rail on Skis
So basically, this is a how to paper i wrote for school on how to grind a rail, what do you guys think???
Skiing down a mountain is difficult in itself, but skiing in the terrain park off jumps and on rail features is even more difficult. So I will teach you how to do a basic, groundbreaking skill in the terrain park, and that is how to slide, or grind, a rail on your skis. Most rails are made of steel, they can be two round bars welded together or one flat steel bar about four inches wide. Most beginner rails, which should be used for this exercise, are about one foot or so off the ground and about ten feet long. Though this may sound challenging, as long as some basic steps are kept in mind it can be easy to master quickly, and soon you’ll be working on bigger and better rails in the park.
The main thing to keep in mind is balance and a good stance. Feet should be shoulder width apart and you should be slightly bent at the knees when approaching the rail. Always keep your eyes focused on the rail, and keeping your eyes at the end of the rail is best. Approach the rail with a good amount of speed to help you slide all the way to the end of the rail. For a ten-foot rail, use a moderate amount of speed by starting approximately ten feet from the rail. When you come to the rail, don’t scrub too much speed off on your in run, then come up the jump and pop with both feet up and 90 degrees onto the rail. It is vital to turn absolutely 90 degrees onto the rail, and do it softly so as not to stomp down hard enough to skid your skis out from under you. Also remember the wide-legged stance for balance, because if you keep your legs too close together your skis can slide out from under you causing you to fall onto the rail. While you are sliding the rail always keep your eyes focused on the end of the rail, your target, and your hands forward and low for balance, again keep your feet nice and wide apart. Once you make it to the end of the rail come off the end and bring your feet back out in front of you and ski away. You have slid a rail, and soon you can try variations to grinding the rail.
Grinding rails is difficult at first, and you will probably fall many times learning how to slide, wearing a helmet is smart for these activities. Once you have mastered the rail slide, you might try coming off switch, or backwards from the rail. And after that you might try spinning 270-degrees off the rail, another stepping stone maneuver in park skiing. For this maneuver, you pop off the end of the rail (instead of just sliding off the end and turning your skis 90 degrees back to your forward position) and rotate your body three-quarters of a turn uphill, or towards the rail. Then you will land backwards and ski away. Again remember balance and the wide athletic stance. Good luck trying these basic rail maneuvers, and soon you can try spinning onto the rail, or spinning while on the rail.
Click to expand post