Everything You Need to Know About Snowboarding Rail Tricks:

Alright, fellow shredder – if you're looking to take your snowboarding to the next level, it’s time to get comfy with rail tricks. Being able to hit a rail let’s everyone know you’re for real.

So, let’s break it all down – from the basics to the gnarly, everything you need to know to get rail-happy.

What is a Rail Trick, Anyway?

If you're new to snowboarding (or just getting into the park scene), rail tricks involve sliding, grinding, or spinning on metal rails (or boxes) that are set up in terrain parks. These rails can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – from simple flats to crazy as down rails, kinked rails, to the wildest of setups. Essentially, the goal is to get your board on the rail and stay there (easier said than done) but the real shit starts once you can throw in spins, grabs, and slides .

How to Start: The Basics of Rail Riding

Before you start imagining yourself pulling off sick tricks, it’s essential to master the basics. Rails are intimidating af, but once you get past the fear and comfortable with sliding, it all clicks.

1. Balance is Key: Approach the rail with confidence- confidence is key- ya gotta commit. Now combat with a solid stance. Stay centered on your board with your knees slightly bent. Imagine your weight evenly distributed – not too forward, not too back. Keep your body loose but controlled.

2. Pop and Lock: To get on the rail, you’ll need to give a little pop (kind of like a small ollie) to get your board up to the rail. The trick is to not overdo it – just a quick, subtle pop will do the trick.

3. Eyes on the Prize: Keep your eyes focused on the rail, in front of your board, and try not to look down at your board. Trust your body – it knows what it’s doing.

4. Sliding to Success: Once your board is on the rail, now you really gotta commit! You’ll want to stay balanced and keep the board straight, letting it slide along the length of the rail. Don’t overcomplicate things, just pop and slide. Keep your focusing on staying steady and smooth.

5. Exit Smoothly: Coming off the rail is as important as getting on it. You want to gently hop to let the board glide off, and absorb the landing with your knees. Land flat and straight.

   
   

Common Rail Tricks to Learn

Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s dive into some of the most popular rail tricks. Don’t worry if it takes some time to land them perfectly – practice makes perfect.

1. Boardslide

The boardslide is the bread and butter of rail tricks. It’s simple and foundational, but still looks sick when you nail it.

How to Do It: Approach the rail at a slight angle, then pop onto the rail and slide with your board perpendicular to the rail. Keep your body centered and try to maintain a steady rhythm as you slide. The hardest part is the panic over how the fuck you’re going to get your board back into position before the rail ends.

Truth is, first few times you won’t 😕. But with some practice you’ll see it’s easier than it seems. Just a tiny hop and turn and you’re golden.

2. 50-50 Grind

The 50-50 grind is the entry-level grind for those wanting to get into the grinding game. It’s just you and your board sliding straight along the rail.

How to Do It: Simply pop onto the rail with both trucks aligned with the rail, and ride it straight out. It's like the snowboarding version of walking a straight line. Keep your weight centered and the grind smooth.

3. Frontside/Backside Boardslide

The frontside and backside boardslides are variations of the classic boardslide, where you approach the rail either frontside (turning towards the rail) or backside (turning away from the rail). These add an extra level of style and difficulty.

How to Do It: For a frontside boardslide, approach the rail at an angle, rotate your body 90 degrees, and slide with your chest facing downhill. For a backside boardslide, you’ll do the same, but rotate so that your back faces downhill.

4. The Nose/ Tail Press

A press is like a tricked-out boardslide where you press down with the nose or tail of your board while sliding the rail. It adds a whole new dimension of style.

How to Do It: Approach the rail and, as you pop on, shift your weight to either the front (nose press) or back (tail press) of your board. Hold that press while you ride along the rail, then pop off as you land.

5. Grabs

   When you're hitting rails, adding grabs to your trick game can take your style to the next level. Grabs are all about connecting with your board mid-air and adding flair while you're sliding or grinding. Some of the most popular grabs include the indy, where you grab the heel edge of your board with your lead hand, and the mute, which is similar but with your rear hand grabbing the toe edge. The nose grab is another classic, where you grab the front of the board with your lead hand, and the tail grab sees you reaching for the back with your rear hand. If you want to get more advanced, try a stale fish (grabbing the heel edge with your rear hand) or the melon (grabbing the toe edge with your lead hand). These grabs can be combined with spins or presses for extra style, making each rail trick uniquely yours.

The Key to Progression: Patience and Practice

As with anything in snowboarding, progression takes time. Don’t rush yourself or feel discouraged if you don’t land every trick on your first few tries. The best way to get better is by practicing consistently, so spend time in the park, work on different rails, and just keep trying new things.

How to Stay Safe While Rail Riding

While it’s fun to throw yourself at rails, don’t forget about safety! Here are a few tips to keep you in one piece:

1. Wear Your Gear: Make sure you’re wearing a helmet and padding. A good helmet is a non-negotiable. Protect yourself, especially when you’re learning new tricks.

2. Start Small: Begin with easier rails or boxes. You don’t need to hit the biggest down rail right away. Master the small stuff first, then work your way up.

3. Know Your Limits: It’s easy to get excited and want to throw down on difficult tricks, but know when to call it a day if you’re feeling fatigued or unsure.

Final Thoughts: Keep Shredding, Keep Styling

Rail tricks are one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of snowboarding. Whether you're hitting a box for the first time or throwing down on a gnarly down rail, each trick has its own vibe. So, keep practicing, experiment with new tricks, and, most importantly, have fun. Don’t worry about falling – everyone eats it now and then. It’s all part of the process.

So, what are you doing sitting here reading? Get your ass out there and hit some rails!