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Rails v Jumps: The talent disparity
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Minnesota shredders. I've been riding parks in MN since before we had parks. I'm 27 and been riding since I was 8, most of which was spent jumping. The main thing I've noticed growing in MN is the number of incredibly talented rail skiers. The second thing I've noticed is the lack people even hitting jumps. It's not negative, or positive, it's just a thing. I realize it makes sense, we have smaller hills and tow ropes, but I think it's still worth pointing out. I can't count the amount of times I've seen someone switch up to 270 out, only to hit a jump and flail doing a 360. Here is where I'm in the vast minority. I've always loved jumping more than rails, and will be probably the only to say I feel safer trying new tricks on jumps. I'm twice as comfortable doing a cork 9 than a blind swap on a rail. So, I'm wondering a few things.
People that are good at rails, how do you feel about jumps?
Anyone else live in Minneapolis area that likes jumping?
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You're right, I'm 95% rails to jumps. I Have friends who have spun more out of a rail than off of a jump. Got all 8 switch up 270s while 540s are pretty scary for me and I can't spin right.
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For a long time I would only hit rails in parks where any jump over about 10ft was massive to me. Once I moved up to Duluth for college I've slowly been learning how much fun jumps can be with my new home mountain being Spirit.
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Im definitely prefer jumps over rails. I love the feeling of flying through the air, not to mention jumps don't get your skis rekt.
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I'm about 60% jumps, 40% rails. I'm a lot better at jumping
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I straight air over both options and find fulfillment.
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I can't say that I prefer one over the other, when I started skiing rails just weren't a big deal. Me and my buddy could throw penciled nines but be scared to hit a flat down rail. Nowadays I just hit rails to pass the time in between good jump days...
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Pretty similar to Kendozer here except I do prefer jumps. Rails are often looked at as things to do on the way to jumps, or coming from jumps. For me learning new tricks on rails is just much more challenging.
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I think a big part of it is that not everybody has access to quality jumps on a regular basis. I've seen a lot of shitty jumps in the Midwest, but almost every terrain park has at least a few decent rails, plus you can do urban and make backyard rail setups.
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I guess I was spoiled, skiing at Granite. Their jumps are on point, and they always have a big one. There are plenty of good jump skiers. Paul Marik, Brad Wolf, Seth Leinbach, Ben Zins (From MN, but rides Granite enough that he's a local there), David Stine (Super, super young, but already throwing down huge), and Ryan Bennett. All Wisconsin skiers, but there are good jumpers around. The MN scene has been lacking in jump skiers for sure though
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