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Help with ski slides on long boxes

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207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,851

Okay, so I've been skiing for two years, got my 1st twin tips this year (Line Invaders) But really my 1st year I got introduced to the freeskiing world just hitting mini jumps. This year, I've really been trying things (Switch 180s, 3's) And I'm having trouble ski sliding long boxes. I'm talking 10-15 feet boxes I have trouble with. I can ski slide cleanly on small boxes but then I start trying 10-15 footers and I get 5 feet in and just have to bail or eat it. I can't understand what I'm doing wrong. Some of my friends say that I'm leaning too much back but then I perfect that and still have the same thing happen. I'm getting on the box perfectly, I have probably the cleanest slides on small rails possible, but then on these huge boxes I just eat crap. Can someone give me advice? Please don't make fun of me I've only been skiing for two years. >_>

Jan 19 2009 6:29PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
Maybe you are going to slow?
Jan 19 2009 6:34PM
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Alex_G
Posts: 11902 - Karma: 1,019
just really focus on going a full 90 degrees and having enough speed. when you jump onto the box don't jump too hard make sure you are nice and smooth onto the box.
Jan 19 2009 6:35PM
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207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,851
I have enough speed and sometimes though I do realize I hit rails a lot smoother than long boxes. So that could be one of my problems.
Jan 19 2009 6:35PM
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anxju
Posts: 9371 - Karma: 61
10-15 is not very long at all for a box

which tells me that your probably getting on wrong. with like a 5 foot rail its really hard not to slide it, even if youre on your nose or tail you can still slide the whole thing cause its that short
Jan 19 2009 6:36PM
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JDon
Posts: 282 - Karma: 15
Make sure you have the right speed and are totally balanced on the box. I also keep my eyes on the end of the rail or box. That keeps me focused on my goal. This should help.
Jan 19 2009 6:38PM
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East.
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 128
Practice makes perfect. None of us can really make you do any better, because you probably already know what you're suppose to be doing on a box. Wide stance the whole way is the main thing. Setting up  for the box is also important for balance, but none of that matters unless you hit that box till you can't feel your legs.

And also, boxes aren't the greatest thing to perfect your skills on. They have a tendency to "lie" to you, because theyre much easier to slide than rails. You might think you can slide a box easy, but you only really have a true sense of balance and grip when you get used to rails.

I suggest you set up a pvc pipe rail, because they're real slippery, and will most likely make you eat more shit than ever. The good thing is once you can grease it you'll easily slide any box you want. Just go build a 10 foot rail (two pipes wide), put it pretty low to the ground, and try to slide it and get switch off and forward off by choice. Once you can control yourself you'll be able to hit all the rails and boxes your heart desires.
Jan 19 2009 6:40PM
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207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,851

My local ski area has a rail exactly how you've described it, and I hit it one day like 15 different times, and it was slippery as hell but yea, next time I go there I'll practice a ton so I can do boxes more easily.

Jan 19 2009 6:45PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE END OF THE BOX.
spot the end  of the rail. 

Jan 19 2009 6:49PM
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East.
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 128
where do you ski? Cause im in Maine too
Jan 19 2009 7:08PM
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inactive
Posts: 4772 - Karma: 97
ski with people who are better than you
Jan 19 2009 7:26PM
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207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,851

Oh sweet...I noticed the 207 and thought maybe you were from Cumberland County....anyway I ski Sunday River, Shawnee, and Sugarloaf?

What about you?

Jan 19 2009 7:27PM
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Ski311
Posts: 595 - Karma: 8

and watch movies of people sliding in slow motion

and video tape yourself sliding over and over and watch in slow motion.

Jan 19 2009 7:34PM
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BEARS.
Posts: 5380 - Karma: 696
keep your eyes at the end of the box and stand up straight.
Jan 19 2009 7:38PM
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Jamestown
Posts: 4002 - Karma: 51
it might be embarassing, but you could post a video of said fail, and ns could give you a better analysis of your problem, like how pros watch tape, it applies to all levels
Jan 19 2009 7:40PM
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Ham.and.Cheese
Posts: 557 - Karma: 58
Let the jump up to the box do the work, get the full 90 degrees that is key, and stare at the end of the box it helps so much
Jan 19 2009 9:07PM
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B-VUR
Posts: 1237 - Karma: 167
Ohhh the Midwest. I am from the Midwest...ski slides are extreme. But really, just relax and focus on getting off the box.
Jan 19 2009 9:17PM
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ReedSkis~
Posts: 2122 - Karma: 98
The key tip i give to anyone looking to slide boxes or rails is to LOOK AT THE END OF THE BOX/RAIL!
seriously this helps so much
the other weekend i found myself at the top of a very narrow Flat down flat rail and i had previously never been able to slide rails well. i found myself getting the whole thing by visualizing it in my head, then i would just turn the full 90 on, the stay low and look towards the end
trust me it works
Jan 19 2009 9:21PM
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49566738265
Posts: 0 - Karma: 7,704
Get on straight and stay that way!  Eyes on the end!  Your skis are still there, you don't need to look at them!
Jan 19 2009 9:26PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
are your skis center mounted? and also if you can just go straight at a rail or box, then just slide it bring up the front ski a little broken, if you get completely 90 then its easier for me, but i dont angle one of my skis to stop me from rotateing i enjoy exiting switch

Jan 19 2009 9:34PM
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traylortrash
Posts: 1935 - Karma: 2,451
exactly.
and like everyone else said, getting on might be your problem as well.  when i started skiing park, i was actually coming into boxes at an angle...  which will obviously make you fall off early
Jan 19 2009 9:37PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
I had the same problem and this solved it.
Jan 19 2009 9:56PM
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East.
Posts: 2314 - Karma: 128
haha same mountains actually, I'm usually at SR on the weekends, shawnee sometimes during the week, Sugarloaf and Loon occasionally. 
Jan 19 2009 11:20PM
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Casey
Posts: 7889 - Karma: 24,898
on a box you can kind of use your feet positioning to steer your center of balance toward the center of the box so you dont come off the side too early. otherwise just stay flat based, go fast and you'll get it, 15 feet isn't that long, you'll probly get it next time out.
Jan 20 2009 2:04AM
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DutchhGutss
Posts: 896 - Karma: 124

Most boxxes have medal railings on the side, if your edges are really against them it will slow you down, do a complete 90 on and look at the end standing straight up..keep everything simple! the less body movement you make the easier it is to do things correct plus it looks better! but for now i would work on slidding the whole boxxes only get longer! hope this helps?

Jan 20 2009 2:08PM
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