Sliding snowboarding rails is exciting and fun, as well as a test of competence in your ability to control the board. It allows the rider to experiment with temporarily sliding on other surfaces than the snow and provides a format in which riders can display their talent and agility. Many ski resorts have featured terrain parks in which rails of all lengths and sizes are set up to be enjoyed, or they can be constructed for personal use. According to Vail.com, it's important to learn some basics before hitting the bigger rails.
Getting Started
Step 1
Tighten your boots and bindings securely, and put on a helmet in the proper manner.
Step 2
Place a rake or broom handle lengthwise down on the snow and position yourself on the slope above it.
Step 3
Approach the handle straight on and lean back slightly to carry the nose of the board over and onto the handle.
Step 4
Balance your weight, and try to stay level on the handle. You want to slide the handle only, with no other contact to the snow. Notice the way the stick handle feels under your board. Let inertia carry you over it and back to the snow.
Stepping it Up
Step 1
Approach a low snowboard box rail with moderate speed. Bending at the knees, gently lean your weight back to gain access to the box surface, squaring up once on the box.
Step 2
Keep your shoulders square, and slide across the box with your weight directly over the center of the board. Your board should be in line with the box. This is called 50/50.
Step 3
Bend at the knees, preparing for the possibility of dropping off the box's end. At slower speeds, your snowboard's nose will drop first, so be prepared to absorb the transition form the box to the snow.
The Rail
Step 1
Approach a low rail at moderate to fast speed, with knees bent and shoulders square to the ground.
Step 2
Shift your weight back and allow your board to completely access the rail before leveling out your weight.
Step 3
Keep your shoulders square to the ground, and let your momentum carry you over the narrow rail. Keeping your board level will keep the slide at its maximum stability.
Step 4
Prepare to drop off the rail if necessary by bending at the knees and letting your legs absorb the landing.
Tips and Warnings
- This three-stage process will start you off slowly to learn basic fundamentals, provide confidence building exercise at the box stage, and finish with learning to ride your first snowboarding rail. Take time at each of the three stages, especially the box rail stage. Many riders develop very impressive box rail skills and tricks that are equal to and beyond rail slide possibilities. As you progress, so will your speed. According to snowboardinghelp.com, many riders they have better balancing ability at higher speeds. As you improve your sliding, so will your comfort level at higher speeds.
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