junior1derfulThings that helped me when learning to hit rails / boxes for the first time:
1. Visualize the entire trick prior to dropping in. Feel confident if your abilities.
2. Fully commit. The reason you're nervous trying a new trick is usually because you have a fear of getting hurt (logical). Remember that you're more likely to not get injured fully committing vs. bailing half way through the trick.
3. Drop in with the mindset you're going to fully commit and land the trick.
4. When hopping onto the rail, pop the full 90° with your skis, upper and lower body aligned. Look at where you plan on landing on the rail.
5. When locking into the feature, stay focused on getting your weight over your front foot. Keep you back foot/ski flat to avoid catching your inside edge.
6. As soon as you're on the feature, look at the end of the rail while keeping your body and skis aligned.
IMO: Sometimes taking a good crash/bail the first time trying a new trick will get my nerves out and make me realize that I am capable of landing the trick, and able to take a hit. When learning to backflip, my first attempt I under rotated and face planted pretty bad. Upon crashing I realized that I was less scared of the trick (Had wind knocked out of me and was sore). I immediately ran back up to the top of the inrun and dropped back in as fast as I could. I stomped in second try, then kept trying it until I felt confident sending it. Free skiing is inherently dangerous, and crashes / injuries come with the sport. Fully committing to new tricks and progressing with what your ability level allows is the safest way to go about it.
**This post was edited on Oct 7th 2021 at 8:35:22pm
**This post was edited on Oct 7th 2021 at 8:36:46pm
This is great advice.
OP, the setup you posted will be a good starting point for sure, low consequence and easy to balance on. It is short and will slide really fast, so be prepared to land sideways the first few times. Try landing backwards, so your body can finish the rotation you start when you pop onto the rail. Landing forwards you will have to fight that momentum.
Before you try sliding the rail, just step onto it with your skis on to get the feel for standing on the rail.
Stay relaxed. Taking deep breaths before you drop in will help keep your body calm, making it easier to balance.
Don't be too concerned about falling. You will probably end up with some bruises but it's unlikely you will get too badly hurt on a setup like this.
Have someone take videos if you can so you can do some self review, and post it on here!
