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Tell me how much I suck

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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
So, I am opening myself up to a world of hurt here probably, but I would love it if you guys could give me some tips on what I am doing wrong on my rail technique here. Im not really sure which forum this belongs in, but the build-a-jib one is awful slow, and it doesn't seem to fit anything else. I always seem to be way too upright, but when I try to land with my feet wider apart, all my shit falls apart. Id prefer it if you could keep the criticism constructive. +K to all helpful hints! I also managed to slam my face into my rail in this video a couple times, so that adds some humor to the mix. Thanks alot guys!


Aug 16 2013 10:30PM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
poles are a few feet/meters too big

momentum is all wrong
Aug 16 2013 10:33PM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
jesus put the rail closer to the lip. all I can say is just keep practicing, and once you know you've gotten the basic slide down go for some tricks. only way to progress
Aug 16 2013 10:33PM
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BigSteve69
Posts: 278 - Karma: 1,105
your best option at this point is to switch to snowboarding. youre steeze is too sick to be skiing
Aug 16 2013 10:49PM
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GeorgiaJibber
Posts: 1608 - Karma: 1,353
Ya that rail is waaay to far away, just come in with knees bent, give a good pop, land on the rail with a wide stance hands relaxed, keep looking at the end of the rail and then just come of. Practice makes perfect man, keep it up!!
Aug 16 2013 10:51PM
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B-Right-On
Posts: 570 - Karma: 532
Problem 1: You don't have full tilts or a XXXL Level 1 T.


Just kidding, it looks like your not fully committing to the 90 degree hop and your feet are a tad to close together, other than that, practice a shat ton
Aug 16 2013 10:54PM
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blazer258
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 646
Im not one to talk but if you put the rail closer you dont have to worry about the jump onto the rail as much, itll make it easier to get onto
Aug 16 2013 11:01PM
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dzop95
Posts: 2 - Karma: 14
Looks like me when I first started so don't worry about it. My problem was that I was afraid to actually give it a good jump and actually get perpendicular to the rail. Once you get over that, pretty much any rail is yours my g (within reason lol)
Aug 16 2013 11:06PM
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d00d
Posts: 2687 - Karma: 7,086
Your inrun definitely doesn't help, so when the winter comes it should start to be easier because you can make a nicer lip and everything. But for now since it's the summer, what you need to practice is commit the full 90 degrees to go onto the rail. Try having your right foot be a little farther ahead than you are while on the rail and keep a shoulders width stance (yours is too close in), I know you said you had trouble doing this but really the only thing you can do is to just keep practicing it. Get some smaller poles it can sorta help.
Aug 16 2013 11:10PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,962
1) Line trunk of car or truckbed with tarp
2) Head down to your local ice arena with a large snow shovel
3) Find out where they put ice scraped from the Zamboni. (ask or look around)
4) Put in vehicle
5) Put on run in and landing
Aug 16 2013 11:22PM
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PsychedelicMoose
Posts: 792 - Karma: 3,568
Get smaller poles, and try not to flap your arms around as much.
Aug 16 2013 11:24PM
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Alex.S
Posts: 202 - Karma: 817
This^
Also what really help me get my switchups and 270s out is to really focus on what jumping feels like on skis. Honestly I landed my first switchup just because I kept jumping up and down on the flat ground as high as I could to get the feel for what it's like to jump on skis. It looks like you have your pretzel down so just execute a pretzel, pop hard and turn, it should come to you quickly.
Aug 16 2013 11:26PM
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AwR
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 1,880
Keep having fun.
Aug 16 2013 11:27PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
Just have fun with it dude, style comes with practice.
Id just say bring the rail a little closer so you can focus more on spinning 90 than actually jumping
Also, a wider stance helps with balance and just try to be relaxed cuz thats where your stiffness is coming from.

And from the thread title, no you dont suck. Everyone starts somewhere
Aug 17 2013 1:13AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3344 - Karma: 5,748
2nd this. why is that tarp there anyways? parents afraid you're going to cut the grass with your edges?
Aug 17 2013 1:20AM
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SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
1. Put rail closer to jump
2. Widen your stance and bend your knees when sliding
3. have fun
Aug 17 2013 1:23AM
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parvizfaiz
Posts: 242 - Karma: 791
You look as if you are not getting fully sideways, try to slide to switch this could help you get more prepedicluar to the rail.
Aug 17 2013 2:46AM
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SunburntSquad
Posts: 293 - Karma: 496
just make sure you focus on getting an even pop and making it the full 90 around. wide stance a bend your knees. the more you practice the better it will start to look, i promise.
Aug 17 2013 2:49AM
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Pikachu.
Posts: 1290 - Karma: 1,641
huge thing I noticed: try to keep you upper body and shoulders completely turned 90 degrees onto the rail as well as your feet. You are kind of keeping your chest open to the end of the rail, which will throw off your balance. Just have your head looking at the end of the rail with the rest of your body a full 90 degrees and it will come much easier
Aug 17 2013 4:34AM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
Wow got a bunch of great feedback guys! Thanks alot!

As far as my poles are concerned, I do have some sick mad owl ones, but they are brand new and I didnt want to fuck them up day one using them for summer practice, silly I know, Ill try them next time. DGskis, what did you mean by the momentum is all wrong?

As far as the rail being too far away from the lip, I can definitly see that, Im going to have to rework the lip/tranny on my setup because right now if the lip is high enough to put the rail any closer, the tranny would be too steep. If anyone has any suggestions on that I would love to hear em.

B-Right-On, the XXL Ski The East Tee isnt steezy enough eh? Lol.

SamuraiAlex, I am perfectly comforatable jumping all around the mountain, I ride switch everywhere and butter all day, I feel like I am pretty comfortable with that. As far as having my pretzel down, I know by looking at it it seems like I do have it, but Im not ever really doing it on purpose, which is bad =/

SnoMaster, the tarp is there more so I dont fuck up my skis on shit more than anything else. I got that pair two weeks before the season ended so I am still kind of attached to them not getting fucked completely quite yet lol. Also keeps the grass stains down which is nice.

Pikachu, this is probably the best tip so far I think, I was wondering about that myself. Whenever I am on the rail it seems very natural to rotate the body down the hill, which obviously fucks everything up.

Thanks for all the help guys, this thread went way better than expected! Heres a great screencap that I pulled, thought it was pretty funny.

Click for larger image

Aug 17 2013 7:29AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7145 - Karma: 17,457
Try to point at the end of the tail when you get on it. Your weight is too far back partly because your hands are a bit high. If you attempt to point at the end of the rail it gets your weight forward and hand down. It really helps a lot of people when they start learning rails. As others have said you need the tail closer to the take off. You could try making it a side on if the jump is too low. Overall though your getting it. As other have said though if you improve your overall skiing on the mountain your park game will improve hugely.
Aug 17 2013 7:44AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,747
yea man, get super small poles so you can't get enough speed for your setup. great idea everyone.
Aug 17 2013 9:53AM
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Crispy.
Posts: 6109 - Karma: 7,683
Definitely try to land switch out of the rail. I think this will help you turn all 90 degrees onto the rail and it is also the next step in progression of other tricks.
Aug 17 2013 9:55AM
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4-Front
Posts: 5306 - Karma: 199
You have a decent set up there. Just keep practicing. Get comfortable on the rail and then when you are ready try some 270s out.
Aug 17 2013 10:02AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,747
to me it looked like you were always looking like you were going to fall backwards onto the rail. partly because your feet were so close together and partly because you were putting your weight too far back. while you're learning, try keeping your feet a bit further apart and put a bit more weight on your front foot. you should be 10x more stable right away which should solve the arms waving problem too.
Aug 17 2013 10:07AM
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coolflash8
Posts: 3171 - Karma: 2,048
also watch a lot of edits! thats where you can see things you want to emulate and then try them. i know "make your own style" blah blah blah. 99% of NS copys other peoples style so just do it
Aug 17 2013 10:23AM
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FuckAllOfYou
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 2,518
Harsh but true
Aug 17 2013 10:29AM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
I meant like the poles are just really big and it seems hard to like ski with them, you know?
Aug 17 2013 10:38AM
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roddy116
Posts: 10627 - Karma: 7,423
arms and it wouldnt hurt to try to scizor the rail, also you seem to be thinking too much about your pop, just let it come naturally.
Aug 17 2013 10:50AM
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j.engel
Posts: 245 - Karma: 417
onesly i stink to but i have lerned how to do lots of types of rail. what i was noticing was that you look alittle afraid of the rail. heres a few steps that may or may not help you but helped me and my buddies.

1. (just about every one said this) but keep that rail close! Maby try to keep the rail level to the jump then progressively  make the jump lower/rail higher as you get more confident.
2. keep a nice shoulder with stance when on the rail. And please make shure both feet are at 90 degrees.
3. (everyone has there own way of doing this) but i try to not think much about the rail. (this helps me with making it to the end of the rail).
4. stay confident! you got it buddy.
5. keep practicing and have fun!
Aug 17 2013 11:13AM
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jimmydar
Posts: 852 - Karma: 1,628
don't be afraid of the rail, the rail is your friend.
Aug 17 2013 1:21PM
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Bateman
Posts: 8591 - Karma: 8,600
First of all that jump is too low with such a high rail.


With this set-up you have to jump like a maniac which makes you lose a lot of control, i.e balance.

Do it on snow man,

1. Pop

2. Spin those 90 degrees to place your feet on the rail sideways

3. Commit. This is just tooooo important to succeed.

4. Look at the end of the rail.


But have a better set up. Maaan.


-Lebowski
Aug 17 2013 1:27PM
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Seany.n
Posts: 459 - Karma: 467
in your defense, you do have a pretty sketchy setup...

but, i would say
1: Make sure you turn a full 90 degrees onto the rail
2: keep your feet spread about shoulder width apart
3: put more weight on your front foot
4: keep your knees a little more bent

the more practice the better. youll get more comfortable with it as you keep workin at it
Aug 17 2013 2:37PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
Try sliding to switch to work on committing to that 90 degree pop!
Aug 17 2013 2:53PM
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kyleogren
Posts: 28 - Karma: 40
keep your knees bent and feet spread further apart on the rail. lower center of gravity will give you an easier slide
Aug 17 2013 3:02PM
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3822 - Karma: 3,447
you look like you're forcing yourself on and off of the rail, let it come more naturally (if that makes sense)
Aug 17 2013 3:12PM
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marso
Posts: 64 - Karma: 49
Take off is important. Lean a little forward, keep your legs wide enough and don't let your upper body loosen up too much. I think you should practice landing fakie and maybe hitting the rail unnatural. The earlier you get familiar with unnatural sliding and spins, the easier it will be. I can't see any major problems with yout sliding. Just keep training and have fun with that great setup!
Aug 17 2013 3:51PM
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,133
I still can't tell if you're 7 or 27...

Also, you're not supposed to sit down after you land
Aug 17 2013 5:07PM
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Afterbang.no
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 4,297
Video ans screenshot made me smile!
You have fun!!

I say fully commit to get on 90 degrees, your stand is not wide enough, and look at the end of the rail.

about the rail, It looked nice, as you nail it sometimes, i don't think you need to make it easier!

Aug 17 2013 5:38PM
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Washow
Posts: 343 - Karma: 463
Commit to turning 90 degrees sideways

Your rail is way too far away from the ramp.

Your pole is so fucking long it's hilarious. Is it for ski ballet?

You lean backwards (up towards the hill) when you land on the rail with feet too close together. Think of jumping on to the rail with your regular shoes on.

You hop really really high but that might be because the rail is so far away from the jump.


Aug 17 2013 5:43PM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
Awesome thanks for even more responses guys!

tomPietrowski, this is probably the best tip I think I have heard yet, I cant wait to try it out. I assume you mean to point at the rail with the downhill hand, correct? I will definitly be reworking the ramp next time out too. As far as overall park ability, I am extremely good at everything non park related, and am actually an instructor.

Crispy, I was thinking of starting this, as I have done it before on the mountain on a small flat bar, but Im kind of concerned about landing on my shitty setup switch.

VinnieF, I definitely agree with you, I dont think I came off the rail frontside once the entire day, and I hit the thing like 30 times. I know I need more weight out front, and lower but I think as many have pointed out my jump is too small and far away from the rail, im really having to force the jump onto the rail.

Coolflash8s, I am so ontop of that already lol.

To all of you saying my poles look WAYYY too long for me, they are sized correctly for regular skiing lol! This is why we get so many people asking you why your poles are so short!  They are not for ski ballet...

Question about the scissor as well. When you are trying to do it, do you just push each foot away from each other, or is there some other technique that I dont know about?

Miomo, I am 25. I guess I should take that as a compliment that I am aging well I suppose. Without my winter beard I do look quite young I suppose lol.
Aug 17 2013 7:37PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7145 - Karma: 17,457
Yeah point at the end of the rail with your forward hand. If you keep pointing a you near the end it may also help you come off switch. It's a technique I used to use when teaching rails. Other then that try to think about all your general skiing technique, things you teach will all be relieve t to park too.
Aug 17 2013 7:44PM
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jibberty
Posts: 156 - Karma: 124
just don't be scared pop, turn 90, bend your knees, be confortable and look at the end of the rail. PRACTICE is the key word man

when you fell confortable with clearing the rail try some pretz 270 and some switch up
Aug 17 2013 8:05PM
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MKeller91
Posts: 153 - Karma: 219
just commit to it you are scared of doing full 90. keep your arms at your side and knees bent you want your whole body to move together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDJ656spIfM
Aug 17 2013 10:45PM
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big-tink
Posts: 599 - Karma: 207
Your better then me
Aug 17 2013 10:56PM
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SkiBrightonBadly
Posts: 152 - Karma: 67
You really just need to get completely sideways. You're landing diagonal on the rail because you're afraid to commit and it's just making it hard because your weight can't be set evenly. Just pop, turn 90, and land. Even if you do fall the first time you'll be better off for it because you'll know you committed.
Aug 17 2013 11:30PM
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samhough42
Posts: 46 - Karma: 357
keep your shoulders and feet parallel to the rail
Aug 17 2013 11:41PM
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Steezegull
Posts: 477 - Karma: 63
I'm sure its already been said but your not really doing that bad. Thats an impressive gap to that rail, not to mention that its a summer setup which i find to be much more difficult to hit than something on snow. If you wanna get better just keep hitting it and get a good feel for the rail, like get comfortable with it... maybe take it out for a drink some time and ask it about its childhood.

Also lower center of gravity will help
Aug 17 2013 11:52PM
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McLS
Posts: 1985 - Karma: 6,454
id say the 2 key points to progress are:
Feet wise: keep them a bit more spaced out (they should be in line with your shoulders)and put more weight on the front foot (without leaning into it too much)

Rotation wise: commit a bit more towards 90°, putting the jump closer could help you overcome the fear. Try unnatural, helped me, and land switch, without jumping off too much at first, it'll help you feel more comfortable moving on the rail.

I think your set-up is ok, a bit sketchy, but know that if you can land it there, you'll land it on the mountain.
As fore the poles, wtf? yeah there a bit big and I wouldn't ski with them, but for training on a jib setup, no problem, as long as they don't handicap you too much. You're actually not that bad and got the most difficult part done, which is actually just sliding the rail. So keep it up man!

Aug 18 2013 7:13AM
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fghtoffyrdmns
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 6,867
totally realistic to be doing 2 pretz twos at this point
Aug 18 2013 8:30AM
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ShredTheEast
Posts: 15 - Karma: 29
Dude put some weight on the front foot!
Aug 18 2013 9:57AM
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