Snowboard Rail: A Complete Guide to Tackling Rails in the Park
Rail snowboarding is one of the most adrenaline-pumping and spectacular disciplines in freestyle snowboarding. Rails are metal or plastic structures located in snowparks, designed for sliding on a board, performingsnowboard tricks and acrobatics.
If you want to learn how to safely ride a rail, improve your techniques, or learn the most famous tricks, this guide is for you. We'll explain the basics, the types of rails, tips for getting started, and how to progress.
What is a Snowboard Rail?
A rail is a structure that simulates handrails, pipes, or other slippery surfaces. Snowboarders use them to slide their boards down, performing tricks that require balance, technique, and creativity.
Snowboard rails are often located in snow parks and can vary in length, height, and difficulty.
Types of Rails in Snowboarding
Knowing the different types of rails helps you choose the ones best suited to your level. Here are the main ones:
- Flat Rail: a horizontal and linear tube, perfect for beginners who want to learn their first tricks.
- Down Rail: A downward-sloping rail that adds speed and difficulty. It's ideal for experienced riders.
- Kink Rail: A rail with one or more changes in angle, requiring precision and control.
- C-Rail: A C-shaped rail that follows a curve. This type requires excellent balancing ability.
- Rainbow Rail: An arched rail, similar to a rainbow, that offers a unique experience and requires good technique.
- Double Barrel Rail: Two parallel tubes, which offer a larger surface area but require greater stability.
How to Get Started with Rails in Snowboarding
If you're new to rails, start with flat rails, as they're easier to handle. Follow these steps to get started safely:
- Prepare yourself mentally: tackling a rail for the first time can be intimidating. Stay calm and focus on the movement.
- Choose the right gear: a freestyle board with a sturdy base is ideal for hitting rails. Make sure your bindings are securely fastened.
- Practice on the boxes: Before moving on to the actual rails, practice on the boxes, which offer a larger and more stable surface.
- Board positioning: Keep your body centered on the board, with your knees slightly bent and your arms balanced.
- The basic technique, the boardslide: approach the rail at a moderate speed and align yourself correctly. Jump slightly to land on the rail with your board perpendicular. Maintain your balance until you reach the end of the rail.
- Wear protective gear: a helmet, wrist guards, and knee pads are essential to avoid injuries, especially during your first attempts.
Famous Tricks on Rails
Once you've mastered the basic rails, you can start experimenting with more complex tricks. Here are some of the most popular:
- 50-50: Sliding down the rail while keeping the board parallel. This is the first trick you should learn.
- Boardslide: sliding perpendicular to the rail, one of the most iconic maneuvers.
- Lipslide: similar to the boardslide, but the approach to the rail is done by bringing the tail of the board over the rail.
- Pretzel: Exiting the rail by rotating in the opposite direction to how you entered.
- 270 On/Off: Enter or exit the rail with a 270 degree rotation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Tackling rails takes time and practice, so it's normal to make mistakes at first. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Too much or too little speed: Too much speed can cause you to lose control, while too little speed may prevent you from completing the rail.
- Off-balance landing: Make sure you keep your weight centered to avoid sliding off the rail.
- Lack of confidence: Fear is normal, but tackling the rails with determination is essential to success.
Tips for Progress
- Practice regularly: Spend time practicing to improve your technique.
- Watch the Pros: Watch videos of expert snowboarders to get inspired and learn new tricks.
- Ask for advice: Snowboard instructors can give you personalized advice to improve.
The world of rail snowboarding offers endless opportunities to express creativity and style on the snow. By following safety rules, practicing consistently, and tackling challenges with enthusiasm, you can master the rails and enjoy unforgettable experiences in the snowparks.
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