Help with Rails.

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Newb

Hey, so basically I'm pretty new to park skiing and I want to be able to learn rails. I can do boxes just fine, 270'ing on and what not, but i can never get a rail. I always tend to slip off like im never balanced. What are the tips on becoming good at rails?

Anything would help <3

Dec 14 2011 8:43PM

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Coalescent

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make sure you turn completely 90 onto the rails, hit them with some speed, make sure your nose, belly button and ankles are all in a straight line, stare at the end of the rail.

Dec 14 2011 8:48PM

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Dr.Newschoolers

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Insane

that is the most important thing to do

Dec 14 2011 8:48PM

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Thenowhereman42

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1) Look at end of rail

2) Go faster

You don't really want to think of a rail as something you "ride", but more like something that you put your feet on for a sec as you fly over a jump. Like, the key to pretty much all standard rails is just to go faster (before you get into kinks and stuff).

Dec 14 2011 8:52PM

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Dr.Gonzo

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1)look where you want to go

2) lock your ankle

3) when your starting to hit rails, you'll usually be more hesitant, it never hurts to have a bit of extra speed

Dec 14 2011 8:58PM

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Joe_Brogan

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Loner

threads. I too am fine with boxes, but struggle with rails.

Dec 14 2011 9:01PM

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pelle_munch

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not trying to down on you but this isn't really good advice.

you want to get on the rail square with your feet shoulder width apart 90 degrees on. Then look at the end of the rail with your shoulers parallel with the rail if that makes sense. try to feel the rail right between the balls of your feet and your heels, and you'll slide right to the end and not just fly right over it and barely touch it.

also as nowhereman said, speed will help but it isn't a good technique to use just to get the end. rather work on balancing and being square and solid on the rail. hope this helps and again no offense to you nowhereman

Dec 14 2011 9:04PM

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james6345789

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On handrails, come on at an angle. Use your edge/ lean to not go over. Have your feet shoulder width apart, and look at the end!

Dec 14 2011 9:15PM

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Dr.Gonzo

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i thought that one guys analogy was pretty good, and it honestly depends how you hit the rail, depending if your hittig it urban or not

Dec 14 2011 9:20PM

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GlazedOverGary

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Wannabe

i have just learned rails and was wondering how to 270 on and off of rails... I hear people talk about doing it but i have never really been able to do it

Dec 14 2011 9:23PM

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JIB_WALRUS

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Ridiculous

all a rail is, is just a thin box such a confidence booster for me when i was learning

Dec 14 2011 9:26PM

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NoCoastSkier

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Insane

i always found that hitting stuff faster makes it much easier....

Dec 14 2011 9:30PM

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joshua

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2's off are easier, simply dig your edge into the rail al little for grip, jumpt and spin.

2's on take more practice, its really all about committing to the spin and landing smoothly on the rail.

Dec 14 2011 9:47PM

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CTHendrickson

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Newb

thanks guys :D

christmas break starts this weekend, i'll nail them for sure.

thanks everyone for the help

Dec 14 2011 10:59PM

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Thenowhereman42

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Aye but "turn body 90 degrees" I thought was sort of implied. Not going fast enough is usually the number 1 problem I see people having, and was my number 1 problem for a while.

Dec 15 2011 6:43PM

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SkiThe513

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i was having the same problem and yeah good advice is not like freaking yourself out if you think your gonna fall, you will fall. what i did was just before hand kinda vision in my mind what i was gonna do, got speed, and just went for it.

and staring at the end helps alot too any of this advice and if you fall just get back up and keep trying i promise you will get it.

Dec 15 2011 6:47PM

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broto

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wow ok lol. first of all there are 2 number threes. secondly you definitely do not have to have center mounted skis to hit a rail... all it does is make the way you ski switch more similar to the way you ski forward.

as for my advice, look in front of you towards the end of the rail, and pretend like your jumping on a skateboard and riding away on it. turn all the way to 90 degrees (completely perpendicular) and keep a shoulder width stance, knees bent at a nice brisk pace and BOOM you've done your first rail.

Dec 15 2011 7:01PM

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GBS

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Insane

For straight 90 on - 90 off, just dont think, commit and do it.

Dec 15 2011 7:05PM

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