Member of the Month

GayWolf420
June, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Rails worth learning at 36?

profile picture
ajponaman
Posts: 0 - Karma: 24
Hey all thanks in advance for the input!

Any of you start learning rails at an older age? ha i'm 36 and just learned to ski last year, but love the park. Some what decent on jumps. Like any Jerry I can go straight over boxes etc but anytime I try to go sideways I pay the price. Any tips or tricks would be much appreciated thanks!
POLL
Edit Poll
Votes:

Take care when editing a poll; Options should be similar to maintain vote integrity.

More options will be added automatically as you type. You must supply a question and at least two options. No HTML is allowed.

a year ago
8 0
profile picture
Rock_Inhabitant
Posts: 1561 - Karma: 16,875
Rails are pretty easy no matter the age. What helped for me is more speed coming onto it, looking at the end of the rail and keeping your feet flat. Reps are also mega helpful
a year ago
17 0
profile picture
lscheiwiller
Posts: 19 - Karma: 96
In simple terms, I’d say claim the rail, don’t overthink it, speed and commit. More pressure on your forward leg than back, use the inside front ski edge to “feel the rail”. Maybe drink a beer first idk
a year ago
20 0
profile picture
ZenyattaKick
Posts: 521 - Karma: 4,039
lscheiwillerIn simple terms, I’d say claim the rail, don’t overthink it, speed and commit. More pressure on your forward leg than back, use the inside front ski edge to “feel the rail”. Maybe drink a beer first idk


This or smoke pot both are good
a year ago
6 2
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13238 - Karma: 20,484
Its worth it. Do the progression and you will learn to love them!
a year ago
8 0
profile picture
michael_bc
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 814
I'm 42 (but learned to hit rails in my early 20ies).

Boxes are way easier than rails, also on your gear. As others mentioned, go faster and put more weight on your front foot. Boxes are fun also to try 270 off, 270on, pretzels, etc. Rainbow boxes are also easy and fun.

I don't hit rails anymore. I find that the price of bailing is higher and they can wreck your edges.
a year ago
8 0
profile picture
D*A
Posts: 37 - Karma: 54
Hi.

I always enjoyed more jumps than rails. (I suck at rails).

BUT, (even if I broke a wrist on a double kink), I imagine that late in the age, excluding the cases when you crash, hitting rails will be more gentle on your body than spinning jumps, so first or later I will focus a bit more on them.

Learning to balance is always useful.
a year ago
3 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9772 - Karma: 66,084
bro 1000% learn rails if you're interested, it's literally like opening up a new dimension on the hill. and you can make it as dangerous and difficult or not as you'd like

Look at the end of the rail. aggressive stance like you're about to tackle someone. LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD pay attention here there's gonna be a pop quiz at the end of this lesson LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD

okay pop quiz, which way should you lean?
a year ago
12 0
profile picture
KilaTsunami
Posts: 3361 - Karma: 32,455
SofaKingSickbro 1000% learn rails if you're interested, it's literally like opening up a new dimension on the hill. and you can make it as dangerous and difficult or not as you'd like

Look at the end of the rail. aggressive stance like you're about to tackle someone. LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD pay attention here there's gonna be a pop quiz at the end of this lesson LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD

okay pop quiz, which way should you lean?


Exactly this haha Start small, and remember your only a few inches off the ground on those small ones. Once you have it dialed, move up to the big ones
a year ago
2 0
profile picture
Evancantspin
Posts: 682 - Karma: 10,244
SofaKingSickbro 1000% learn rails if you're interested, it's literally like opening up a new dimension on the hill. and you can make it as dangerous and difficult or not as you'd like

Look at the end of the rail. aggressive stance like you're about to tackle someone. LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD pay attention here there's gonna be a pop quiz at the end of this lesson LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD

okay pop quiz, which way should you lean?


Lean forward
a year ago
5 0
profile picture
J-Webs88
Posts: 58 - Karma: 382
I think it’s definitely still worth learning if you are really into park. I’m 36 and prefer rails over jumps any day because I can hit a rail going 5mph that’s 2ft off the ground all day long and still have a ton of fun. It’s just way lower risk at this age and much easier on the joints (unless the landing is shit or icy or whatever). Plus you can still progress pretty quickly and learn a ton of tricks on smaller rails and tubes compared to smaller jumps. There’s just so much you can do with a second or two of air time, but you can still throw an 2p2 or elusive or something on a tube
a year ago
5 0
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13238 - Karma: 20,484
SofaKingSickbro 1000% learn rails if you're interested, it's literally like opening up a new dimension on the hill. and you can make it as dangerous and difficult or not as you'd like

Look at the end of the rail. aggressive stance like you're about to tackle someone. LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD pay attention here there's gonna be a pop quiz at the end of this lesson LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD LEAN FORWARD

okay pop quiz, which way should you lean?

Funny thing is after that pep talk, first thing they do is try to lean back and hockey stop every time.
a year ago
3 0
profile picture
Jaxis
Posts: 37 - Karma: 174
Send it no matter the age, just stay committed and you got it
a year ago
2 0
profile picture
steez_apprentice
Posts: 1096 - Karma: 7,549
I met a dude at the very LEAST in his mid 40s do a lip on to a massive down tube at bush and he was telling me it was his first year focusing park. He owns a local dispensary and sponsors a ton of the local riders and was an all time chiller. I think it’s never too late to start
a year ago
5 0
profile picture
AndImOut
Posts: 38 - Karma: -245
Definitely do it, an older guy at my local has started to learn rails this season. His progression has been insane, you can take it as easy or difficult as you want.
a year ago
3 0
profile picture
nmwninjart
Posts: 3106 - Karma: 16,073
Worth it!
I slid my first tube at 39.
a year ago
5 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 4:48PM