Replying to Rails

can some offer some pointers for hitting rails? I know its prob the basic of the basic, but I'm from the old school of spread eagles and daffies.  I've been telling my wife I want to evolve with this sport...I'm late I know, but I fgure its never too late.  So my first time up this year the mountain sucked so I ventured to the terrain park.  A small rail was the first obstacle, I watched a few people hit it.  It looked simple enough so I approched and turned 90 degrees onto the rail.....I've never fallen so fast in my life.  My left thigh and left side of my stomach were bruised pretty good. 
Sidenote: I'm really comfortable on skis, theres no terrain that I can't ski (except apparently a terrain park).  any tips for railslides would be greatly appreciated.