How do you ski on a rail?

Son Ahlers: redstapler52 has the right idea expect for a couple of things. First if you really want to get into rails and jibs you should file the edges of your skis down so you don't have to slide on your edges but rather can slide flat, which will make grinding rails a lot easier. second most of your weight should be on your front foot not evenly space because then your feet have a tendency to split apart which doesn't ever end nicely. but other than that just do what he said, start with boxes and move to rails. watch others in the park to get a basic idea. and don't be afraid to ask someone for help. most people will help you out a little or give you some pointers...Show more

Lavelle Viveiros: Start by practicing a side slip on a slope where you are comfortable, or bored with the slope. Try to get a slide that is twice as long as the rail you are going to try, the slide should be in a corridor no wider than 1 1/2 ski lengths. When you can do this either direct! ion and very smooth then try the rail again. The problem of falling when you start the rail is a matter of timing and balance. Practice helps but perfect practice makes perfect. It takes time and practice to be a top skier. For many of us that means skiing 4-5 or 6 days a week....Show more

Rose Krouse: When you start grinding a box is ideal to begin on. Practice on a low box until you get the hang of it then move on to a low rail. Depending on how you crash there could be a few adjustments you need to make. When you grind you want the rail to be under the ball of your foot, about under the lowest buckle. Your leading ski should be slightly tipped so you don't catch the front edge and eat rail. Your weight wants to be fairly centered over both skis. Your skis want to be as close to perpendicular to the rail as possible to prevent you from sliding off either side. So when you approach the rail, keep it between centered your skis, pop and turn 90°. Keep your eyes on t! he rail, knees slightly bent and weight centered over the rail! . If you tend to fall bacward off the rail it is likely that you a grinding with the rail too close to the toe piece of your binding. If you fall of forward the opposite would be true. That is assuming your saying centered. If you are leaning forward or back you will fall off that way. If you find that your aren't landing on the ball of your foot you'll want to try moving to the left or right as you approach the rail. If you slide with your right foot forward the following will apply and if you slide with your left foot forward it will be the exact opposite. If you fall off backward, approach the rail with the rail lined up moreso with your right ski rather than centered between them. If you fall forward line the rail up with your left ski. This compensates for the wobbly axis of your spin. It will take some more practice.Edit: Yeah man I forgot to mention detuning your edges, its pretty necessary to prevent from catching an edge. You don't want to detune your entire edge t! hough, just under your bindings for now otherwise your skis wont carve very good and ice will not be your friend. As far as your weight goes, its better to be more on your front leg than on your rear for sure, especially if the rail slopes at all. In the early stages a centered stance will help you find what is comfortable for you. I also mentioned to keep your forward foot tipped because when your skis are shoulder width apart only one ski will really be flat on the rail. The other will seem pretty flat but most of the time the boot prevents you from being completely flat unless you crouch a bit more. If you catch the leading edge of the trailing ski you'll end up sliding into a split and that wont end well. I was giving the basic beginning points, once you progress you'll find your own style and what works for you....Show more

Davida Gisriel: You don't. I was Skiing, broke both of my femurs, and tibias, plus i bent a tibia. I have already had eight surgeries and nee! d more. I also have nerve damage, and vein damage. I cant even feel my ! right leg from the ankle down. And I lost the muscle on the front of my leg. Unless you want to take the chance of having to have to be in a wheelchair for three months, and a LOT of physical therapy, opt out of skiing!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, yeah did i mention you will have to be in the hospital for a month????????...Show more

Pasty Cobbett: I see this happen to often i have found a video that could help you out here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhQNjRMAVSk