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Grinding rails and boxes

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Skiing_101
Posts: 9 - Karma: 43
Hey so the 2018-2019 ski season is approaching very fast and I am planning on learning a lot of park. I can do 360s and 180s along with 50 50. But I see a lot of people sliding boxes and rails and I really wanna learn how to do that. But I just don’t know where to start. I’m really just looking for some strong tips on how to start learning
Oct 31 2018 12:05AM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9401 - Karma: 68,893
I just learned rails this was my experience:

My first instinct sliding a a rail was to try to do a hockey stop on the rail since that's usually my body position when going side ways. This doesn't work, your feet slide out and you taco like i learned twice.

Then someone gave me this advice:
Lower more athletic stance with wider feet. Really focus on digging your front foot into the rail. Make sure you're popping off the jump. I usually landed too much on my tails on the rail but that may have just been me personally

TLDR:
wide stance, pop, weight on front foot, I.e dont lean back focus on digging the inside edge of your front ski into the rail. Look toward the end of the rail, not down.
Oct 31 2018 12:12AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9334 - Karma: 61,272
Skiing_101Hey so the 2018-2019 ski season is approaching very fast and I am planning on learning a lot of park. I can do 360s and 180s along with 50 50. But I see a lot of people sliding boxes and rails and I really wanna learn how to do that. But I just don’t know where to start. I’m really just looking for some strong tips on how to start learning


(Jump around on a skateboard when you can to get used to the general feeling if you're not familiar)

Start pivoting 90 degrees at the end of boxes to start getting used to the stance

Find a tiny super low rail

Lean forward

Pop onto it with a wide stance, and make sure you do the whole 90* turn

Make sure you're leaning forward

Look at the end of the rail

Do that til you're getting used to the feel and can come off the end forward and backward and then slowly build up to bigger rails

Seriously tho lean
The
Fuck
Forward

99% of beginners in history fell backward, letting their legs slip out from under them. You will not have the same weight distribution as you do when stopping.

Lean forward more than you think you should, believe me
Oct 31 2018 12:22AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51745 - Karma: 163,550
Lean more forward than you think you need to. Especially on downs. Obviously don't be over the bars as fuck, but most people slip out toward the takeoff.

Just keep doing it.
Oct 31 2018 1:00AM
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nmwninjart
Posts: 3015 - Karma: 15,204
I'm in the same position as you so You aren't alone this season! The advice everyone has shared sounds really good.
Even though I havent been on a rail I want to add = Watch other people while you're out there and observe how they move. When they fall off ask yourself why did that happen. Watch a TON of videos. Notice how they all take that athletic stance previously mentioned.
Having done other sports that require good balance, agility and awareness I understand what everyone is saying. Our challenge is applying that knowledge to our our bodies.
Oct 31 2018 7:34AM
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Crust_Station
Posts: 522 - Karma: 1,851
Feet together, arms up, land straight to the tails, overcorrect to the noses shuffle a 270 when you land
Oct 31 2018 10:16AM
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TripleXLHoodies
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,280
I'll start by saying I'm not here to be helpful, but seeing this thread made me very happy. It's always a good sign when the threads of "how do I hit a rail" and "my first backflip" start flooding onto NS. It means the season is here, thank you OP, you made my day.
Oct 31 2018 1:30PM
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Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
Skiing_101Hey so the 2018-2019 ski season is approaching very fast and I am planning on learning a lot of park. I can do 360s and 180s along with 50 50. But I see a lot of people sliding boxes and rails and I really wanna learn how to do that. But I just don’t know where to start. I’m really just looking for some strong tips on how to start learning


my advice to start learning how to slide boxes is to keep your feet wide and lean a little bit forward at first, also don't hit anything to high for your first try.
Oct 31 2018 2:00PM
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Pilsby
Posts: 233 - Karma: 1,085
wide stance weight on your front foot and full commitment. Most importantly dont give up.
Oct 31 2018 2:06PM
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Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
Pilsbywide stance weight on your front foot and full commitment. Most importantly dont give up.


truth
Oct 31 2018 2:11PM
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skiguy04
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 1,115
Then down rails after boxes
Nov 13 2018 11:33PM
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e.wait
Posts: 869 - Karma: 1,954
if i had to give my former self advice, i would say: "don't be fuckin pussy brooooo lol like what's gonna happen, you're not gonna get hurt, stop being a lil bitch, just send it"

but seriously, park skiing and action sports in general are just as mental as they are physical. stupidity will make up for what you lack in athleticism. embrace the fear, accept the risk, and you shall find the progression you so desperately seek, young padawan. now, go forth and seize greatness! and try not to tear an ACL like i did lulz
Nov 13 2018 11:58PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9401 - Karma: 68,893
This post is very contradictory
e.waitif i had to give my former self advice, i would say: "don't be fuckin pussy brooooo lol like what's gonna happen, you're not gonna get hurt, stop being a lil bitch, just send it"

but seriously, park skiing and action sports in general are just as mental as they are physical. stupidity will make up for what you lack in athleticism. embrace the fear, accept the risk, and you shall find the progression you so desperately seek, young padawan. now, go forth and seize greatness! and try not to tear an ACL like i did lulz
Nov 14 2018 12:07AM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12521 - Karma: 116,362
GET LOW
POP HARD
RISE AND GRIND
GANG GANG GANG GANG
Nov 14 2018 12:21AM
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tea_bone
Posts: 94 - Karma: 351
TRVP_ANGELGET LOW
POP HARD
RISE AND GRIND
GANG GANG GANG GANG


W
Nov 14 2018 12:59AM
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,992
Don't lean too far forward or you will catch your front edge and break your wrist on the 2nd day of the season like I did a few years back. Ahhh good times
Nov 14 2018 1:29AM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
Buy some aggressive inline skates, go to the skatepark, find a low box or rail, and learn to frontside grind on it. Start by jumping up onto the ledge or rail and getting it in your grind groove, then jumping off. Then approach it at low speed at an angle and do the same thing, you will grind across the rail or ledge. Work out the kinks, increase the speed, and lower the angle. This is much easier and more efficient than hiking rails uphill with ski boots on. Grinding on aggressive blades won't be 100% analogous to sliding a rail on skis but it will give you an idea of how your weight needs to be when sliding on a box or rail.

What I've learned from doing so is to jump "into" my front foot when jumping on the rail/ledge and to primarily think about rotating my shoulders until they're facing the rail/ledge.

I admittedly have not done a rail slide ever and have not done a box slide in years, but I feel way more confident about doing both now that I can frontside grind on inline skates.
Nov 14 2018 2:00AM
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cheerio
Posts: 1032 - Karma: 3,415
TheVictatorBuy some aggressive inline skates, go to the skatepark, find a low box or rail, and learn to frontside grind on it. Start by jumping up onto the ledge or rail and getting it in your grind groove, then jumping off. Then approach it at low speed at an angle and do the same thing, you will grind across the rail or ledge. Work out the kinks, increase the speed, and lower the angle. This is much easier and more efficient than hiking rails uphill with ski boots on. Grinding on aggressive blades won't be 100% analogous to sliding a rail on skis but it will give you an idea of how your weight needs to be when sliding on a box or rail.

What I've learned from doing so is to jump "into" my front foot when jumping on the rail/ledge and to primarily think about rotating my shoulders until they're facing the rail/ledge.

I admittedly have not done a rail slide ever and have not done a box slide in years, but I feel way more confident about doing both now that I can frontside grind on inline skates.

This will definitel
Nov 14 2018 8:43AM
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cheerio
Posts: 1032 - Karma: 3,415
cheerioThis will definitel


Sorry, what I meant to say is :

Inlines will definitely help however I think its a lot easier to learn rails on skis since you have more underfoot to slide on and you don't have to match the indent of your inline with whatever you're jibbing
Nov 14 2018 8:50AM
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bergobeanz
Posts: 264 - Karma: 962
TripleXLHoodiesI'll start by saying I'm not here to be helpful, but seeing this thread made me very happy. It's always a good sign when the threads of "how do I hit a rail" and "my first backflip" start flooding onto NS. It means the season is here, thank you OP, you made my day.

At least you were honest lmao
Nov 14 2018 1:05PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11234 - Karma: 76,358
Skiing_101Hey so the 2018-2019 ski season is approaching very fast and I am planning on learning a lot of park. I can do 360s and 180s along with 50 50. But I see a lot of people sliding boxes and rails and I really wanna learn how to do that. But I just don’t know where to start. I’m really just looking for some strong tips on how to start learning

It's all in your head. If you listen to this with headphones several times, you will become a GOD!

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/851717/Deep-Meditation-For-Riding-Boxes--amp--Rails
Nov 15 2018 11:34AM
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clorox
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 4,863
Jump 90º and plant both feet on the rail, shoulders locked sideways with your skis, but your head facing downhill and spotting the end of the rail. I tend to plant most of my weight on my front/downhill ski's inner edge and my uphill ski flat based on the rail for balance. I've found especially for learning down rails, this will do a good job of preventing you from sliding out.

From personal experience, once you learn to slide and want to get tricks down, I recommend trying stuff on tubes as early as you can. On boxes, you pretty much have to slide over the coping or at a non ideal angle, making falling more common. Tubes are easier to balance on than rails and are less painful to fall on. Not hating on boxes, just sharing how I learned rails.
Nov 15 2018 12:07PM
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iskeaah
Posts: 248 - Karma: 762
Yes this is all good advice. I learned by sliding 90's on boxes, then I learned to pedal on boxes then I just sent it on a short flat rail. Make sure to find a ride on rail and keep your speed. Even though it is scary going faster is better and is more stable.
Nov 15 2018 12:48PM
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samuel_ski
Posts: 152 - Karma: 169
I personally always look at the end of the rail. Helps me balance. Poles also help me balance a lot for some reason.
Nov 16 2018 12:42PM
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BackWoods420
Posts: 239 - Karma: 481
I look at the lip before i pop on. Once i pop on i look at the end of the rail and think about popping off.

I learned by 5050ing onto a box then turning sideways. Then i got comfortable on em.

I wasn’t able to slide rails with mentality of jumping on. I had to think of it as just putting my bindings or skis above the rail. That changed my mentality completely.
Nov 18 2018 11:39AM
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KENDOZER
Posts: 408 - Karma: 1,145
Just put a bunch of bubble wrap on hips and maybe an elbow pad on your uphill side. For a lot skiers it seems like once they commit and slip out on the first try, they succeed on the second.
Nov 18 2018 11:55AM
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nmwninjart
Posts: 3015 - Karma: 15,204
Hmm the bindings/feet idea might help me. I should try that.

Here's a question for you guys...
How do you get past the mental block to even get ON to a rail? Several times today I skied up to one and bailed at the last second. They were all small and low. I do have trouble trying new things when theres alot of people around though. It was Busy this weekend so I know thats part of my troubles.
Nov 18 2018 7:53PM
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iskeaah
Posts: 248 - Karma: 762
The first time i hit a rail I made it all the way through. What helps me is if you find "The Rail" you wanna hit ride up to it and slide across the top just balance. This is usually pretty easy because they are ride on rails. The 90 on isn't really a 90 on its more like a 70 the first time. Give this a try and make sure when you commit have pretty descent speed. Think of it more like a skinny box. As long as you can do it on boxes you got it on rails. good lick out there.
Nov 18 2018 8:03PM
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saucemastrscotty
Posts: 139 - Karma: 785
Jump and flip a half rotation onto the rail, grinding w ur head is way easier than w skis and puts u at way less risk of injury👍
Nov 18 2018 10:26PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9791 - Karma: 72,407
nmwninjartHmm the bindings/feet idea might help me. I should try that.

Here's a question for you guys...
How do you get past the mental block to even get ON to a rail? Several times today I skied up to one and bailed at the last second. They were all small and low. I do have trouble trying new things when theres alot of people around though. It was Busy this weekend so I know thats part of my troubles.

Doesn't matter how low it is, having your feet slide out and hitting your hip on the side of a box hurts like a bitch. I feel you. I haven't tried rails or boxes in 2 years cuz I got so discouraged. Gonna try at it again this year. Try skiing with people or talk to people in the park for tips. Peer pressure always forces me to ski out of my comfort zone.
Nov 18 2018 10:47PM
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PsychicMigration
Posts: 2099 - Karma: 10,537
An excellent and simple way to learn without relying on resort parks is get a 10-15ft x4in pvc pipe and make a small on the snow rail. It gives you large amounts of time to practice and falling wont be as painful as falling on an elevated rail. I started with this and after a week I was already doing 270s.
Nov 19 2018 12:23AM
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samuel_ski
Posts: 152 - Karma: 169
IsitWinterYet17Doesn't matter how low it is, having your feet slide out and hitting your hip on the side of a box hurts like a bitch. I feel you. I haven't tried rails or boxes in 2 years cuz I got so discouraged. Gonna try at it again this year. Try skiing with people or talk to people in the park for tips. Peer pressure always forces me to ski out of my comfort zone.


Peer pressure is what got me to do it. Obviously good peer pressure, like someone teaching you and encouraging you to do it.
Nov 19 2018 1:17PM
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TheFlyingNutsack
Posts: 17 - Karma: 49
nmwninjartHmm the bindings/feet idea might help me. I should try that.

Here's a question for you guys...
How do you get past the mental block to even get ON to a rail? Several times today I skied up to one and bailed at the last second. They were all small and low. I do have trouble trying new things when theres alot of people around though. It was Busy this weekend so I know thats part of my troubles.


Its my first year doing rails too, went to the local resort this weekend and the park was packed the whole day. At first I had the same thoughts I was like damn im boutta make a fool out of myself but i talked to some of the guys and they were all real encouraging, said they all started at some point too etc. Ended up sliding out real bad the first time but they got me to keep trying and I ended up catching on pretty quick. Just lean forward. Wayy more than ya think ha
Nov 19 2018 2:01PM
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skiguy04
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 1,115
Jumping 90 degrees onto rails is overrated just split the rail a few times
Nov 19 2018 3:02PM
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SchlossAdler
Posts: 58 - Karma: 362
Some advice I give everyone is that whenever you're trying a new rail/box/sliding feature you should go faster than you think you need. In fact when I try a new feature I usually (unless its kinked) go mach chicken at it. The faster you go the less time you spend balancing, the easier it is to balance (when you go really slow any slight movement in your body can really through your balance) and if you do fall you usually miss the rail. Going really fast also helps you get over the fear of jumping on.

If you're scared to jump on, go real fast at the rail and gap over it a few times, then just kiss it.
Nov 19 2018 4:45PM
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sui-kide
Posts: 330 - Karma: 680
nmwninjartHmm the bindings/feet idea might help me. I should try that.

Here's a question for you guys...
How do you get past the mental block to even get ON to a rail? Several times today I skied up to one and bailed at the last second. They were all small and low. I do have trouble trying new things when theres alot of people around though. It was Busy this weekend so I know thats part of my troubles.


It's way cooler to see someone (new?) fall trying to slide a rail than see him/her not try at all. People don't care if you fall. Everyone falls here and there. Try to think of it like this.
For my experience, I've mostly had people come up to me and ask if I am okay and not see them laugh at me. If they do, they are usually some little kids tho
Nov 19 2018 5:18PM
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Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
just try the easiest way, the nut slide
Nov 26 2018 2:26PM
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LilJeff
Posts: 18 - Karma: 28
My best advice is to just make sure you are leaning towards the end of the rail/box instead of away from it with the skis at an edge. My first several times I kept sliding out because I turned like you do on a hockey stop if that makes sense. After that I had the basics down.
Nov 26 2018 6:00PM
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nmwninjart
Posts: 3015 - Karma: 15,204
Evantheshredsterjust try the easiest way, the nut slide


Yep that version works too hahaha. I tried a big tube a couple days ago and I ended up sliding off and sitting down on it like a horse.
Nov 26 2018 8:00PM
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,570
I came here to help but everyone has pretty much already said what needs to be said.

I just want to emphasize that a well built/greased rail is WAY slipperier than you think it is. Lean forward, it's like sliding on glass. Very similar to running and jumping on a skateboard. If you lean back anticipating any kind of significant friction, you'll break your ass on the rail and it will hurt lmao

Edit: Also speed is your friend. Obviously don't go totally yeetin' into the rail but it's easier if you can go faster, minimizing the time you spend just trying to balance on the rail.

**This post was edited on Nov 26th 2018 at 8:58:53pm
Nov 26 2018 8:54PM
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lion.pappa
Posts: 123 - Karma: 149
I'm definitely considered a noob in the park, but when i started sliding rails last season, i got a tip from a friend to try and touch the right side of your right knee with your right hand (sliding right foot forward) and vice versa. This helped me to "lean" forward.
Nov 27 2018 12:15AM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,663
ButteredToast.I came here to help but everyone has pretty much already said what needs to be said.

I just want to emphasize that a well built/greased rail is WAY slipperier than you think it is. Lean forward, it's like sliding on glass. Very similar to running and jumping on a skateboard. If you lean back anticipating any kind of significant friction, you'll break your ass on the rail and it will hurt lmao

Edit: Also speed is your friend. Obviously don't go totally yeetin' into the rail but it's easier if you can go faster, minimizing the time you spend just trying to balance on the rail.

**This post was edited on Nov 26th 2018 at 8:58:53pm


YEEET
Nov 27 2018 12:23AM
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YEWdeliciousness
Posts: 56 - Karma: 267
:)

**This post was edited on Dec 6th 2018 at 9:59:28pm
Nov 27 2018 12:24AM
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YEWdeliciousness
Posts: 56 - Karma: 267
also pretend that ur favorite skier is watching you and you want to send it in front of him, that always pumps me up to try stuff hahah, one day wabs one day
Nov 27 2018 12:26AM
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Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
nmwninjartYep that version works too hahaha. I tried a big tube a couple days ago and I ended up sliding off and sitting down on it like a horse.[/QU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Q6nIlKXhg


perfect nut slide to switch out
Nov 28 2018 7:29AM
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sui-kide
Posts: 330 - Karma: 680
YEWdeliciousnessthis thread made me very happy, i as well had/have a really hard time trying stuff in the park due to me thinking that people will make fun of me, but everyone knows what it’s like and if anyone does make fun of you they are cock suckers and u should just ignore them, i’m still new to the park but wish the best of luck to you brother!


Haha yes. It's all in your minds boys and girls
Nov 28 2018 9:38AM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11234 - Karma: 76,358
sui-kideHaha yes. It's all in your minds boys and girls

Truth. https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/851717/Deep-Meditation-For-Riding-Boxes--amp--Rails
Nov 28 2018 8:26PM
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