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How do I conquer A-frame rails or launch rails

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iH8pow
Posts: 1807 - Karma: 7,688
Ok so I don't know what the appropriate term is for the up-rails where you launch off of them, but I've had issues with A-frames and I would like to launch off the rails but I don't even know how I would do it without lowering shoulder doing a barrel roll and coming around 90 degrees to land, which may be hard for my skill level.

Yesterday at A-basin I hit the A-frame box/rail going way too fast, launched off the apex and landed on my hip far down. I'm 27, shit hurts bad when I fall like that but I don't want to give up. What are some suggestions you have (besides going slower, maybe try to pop with my right foot because I prefer to slide with my right shoulder down hill)

I also need to look into sessions at Woodward at Copper, any of you do that?
May 1 2013 12:15PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
Hit it like any other rail
May 1 2013 12:26PM
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seanahue.
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 3,371
50-50 up and kinda ollie up with it at the start, way easier imo
May 1 2013 12:35PM
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werd.
Posts: 967 - Karma: 4,330
Not sure how to help but I'm pretty sure a curved up rail is called a cannon rail
May 1 2013 12:35PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
thats called an unbow or a curved up rail, a regular up rail is called a cannon
May 1 2013 12:37PM
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first_rodeo
Posts: 2385 - Karma: 7,781

want something technical.......

try a U rail                      you have to 50-50 then skislide then  50-50 since you arent on a snowboard.

but for real hit it super fast and hockey stop (slide) up onto it

for.............corrigated pvc blue pipe tube   

May 1 2013 12:47PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
Click for larger image

what are you even trying to say
May 1 2013 12:54PM
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mowglii
Posts: 545 - Karma: 339
Click for larger image
May 1 2013 12:57PM
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bnewbs6
Posts: 1919 - Karma: 1,463
Just don't let the rail buck you off. You need to pop off the top and stay forward. Honestly, if you tried a blind two off it might actually be easier. It's like a 360, just the first 90 is on a rail.
May 1 2013 1:44PM
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Boomhauer
Posts: 16 - Karma: 100
man just like'a dang ol slip and slide man hop and grind talkin' bout sideways all way, yo
May 1 2013 1:50PM
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CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
haha totes dude
May 1 2013 2:09PM
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Saga.
Posts: 3812 - Karma: 45,331
Sounds like you are getting a little into the back seat while sliding up the rail. Try to keep your body perpendicular to the sliding surface in a strong, steady stance. As you're reaching the apex/end of the rail or box look forward and down to the landing zone. This should help you keep your body upright.
Most importantly though try to keep your body in a calm stable position all the way through the slide without putting too much pressure on either foot. Keep it even and steady.
May 1 2013 2:28PM
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jimmydar
Posts: 852 - Karma: 1,628
if possible post pictures of the rails that you need help with, that way everyone else can see what you have to work with
May 1 2013 2:30PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,883
Jumping into up rails is kinda scary cause you think you'll catch and slam into them, but the key is to go a bit faster and just stay centered, just try and think of it as a flatbar, once you get them you'll be like "that was easy".
May 1 2013 2:44PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1807 - Karma: 7,688
haha, glad I wasn't the only one who was lost with the U-rail suggestion...

speed into the up rail isn't the problem, it's the excess of speed at the apex and getting launched while not properly postured that is the problem. If by being backseat you mean leaning too far to my left when I hit the apex is the problem, you're right. I'm just trying to figure out how to correct it.
May 1 2013 3:10PM
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Saga.
Posts: 3812 - Karma: 45,331
Maybe you need to work on your stance. If your feet are too close together while sliding this could cause you to easily lean to your left (I'm assuming you slide right foot forward). You can also try to practice this by hitting flat rails and boxes with a little more speed so that when you come to the end you can pop and catch a little air off the end.

But if all else fails go with the slip out and underflip off the end of the rail haha.
May 1 2013 3:19PM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
You're a 27-year-old... not a fucking old man. Go slide the damned rail until you get it because guess what? THAT'S HOW YOU LEARN TO DO ANYTHING. Quit being a fucking pussy asking children on the internet how to do pretty obvious shit.

May 1 2013 3:30PM
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sweatshirt
Posts: 1357 - Karma: 483
You were so much more fun when you were banned.
May 1 2013 3:47PM
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werd.
Posts: 967 - Karma: 4,330
ahh ok. I knew one of them was a cannon
May 1 2013 6:53PM
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AndrewUtter
Posts: 225 - Karma: 1,083
Get on the rail normal, then look directly at the top of the A-frame, then when you go to the down part make sure you look directly at the end of the rail. It helps keeps you from slipping out or leaning back.
May 1 2013 7:01PM
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Doke
Posts: 185 - Karma: 401
Funniest thing I've read on NS
May 1 2013 7:26PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7821 - Karma: 21,842
When you come off you will have more air time than a normal rail, so try keeping your feet sideways for a second while you spot your landing. This will help your timing and can help align your skis better with the angle of the transition.
Also, try to keep your hands in front of your knees. It will be very hard to land backseat if you do this.
May 2 2013 9:55AM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
put it in their butt so they know who's boss
May 2 2013 12:37PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Hey Tanner, how are your ankles?
May 2 2013 12:41PM
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ttw32174
Posts: 14 - Karma: 34
I'm not sure exactly what issue you're having.. but if your landing on your front hip coming off the rail, then when you get to the apex of the rail jump off and do a 90 or a 270 depending on how big it is, dont just slide off the end because your back ski can drag a little and unbalance you if thats the issue your having. And if you landing on what was you back skis hip then make sure you're getting onto the rail stable and then jump forward a little too when you get to the apex so you end up at the same angle as the landing.
Maybe practice on a summer setup if you can? you can set the length and type of rail you want..

aside from that sadly SkiierDick is right you kinda just have to huck it, learning rails can hurt.. just remember that speed makes it hurt less, you slide a little instead of just hitting the ground

May 2 2013 1:20PM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
REALLY FUCKING POOR
May 2 2013 5:31PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1807 - Karma: 7,688
the whole reason I'm asking is because I'm already basically hucking it and it always ends the same--when I get to the apex of the box and hit the down part my angle doesn't follow the angle change. It's definitely more of a change than a flat-down rail. I hit it too fast and just go soaring over the apex then land on my up-hill hip. Maybe slowing down wouldn't hurt, but that being said hopefully i have one or two more days at A-basin this year so I can give another try at it.

Thanks for your inputs, even skier douche is right I mean of course I just have to do it. I just have far less ski days than most people on here because of my job, I can't just hurt myself all day and try it again the next day or two afterwards so when I go to the park I try to be as prepared as I can to make the best out of it.

Really looking into woodward this summer, anybody here do that?
May 4 2013 12:02AM
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