Some might wonder why grind rails…? Why do some of us enjoy the bumps, skiing the steeps and skiing fast. One simple reason: the adrenaline. But most of all, it’s hip, fun and new school.
The thrill of balancing on a 4 inch wide pole, 35 feet long and landing clean – sounds dope.
Snowpark , First you need to find a good brain bucket (helmet) to ensure your protection and security. What you want is to practice on the snow, side slipping on flat skis keeping your hips square to the skis & looking at the direction you want to go.
Lowering your center of mass, widening your base of support to have a stronger and more relaxed stance. Like a gorilla . When you have achieved that relaxed or gorilla stance, you are ready for the fun box. A fun box is a plastic box which is about 2 feet wide and 10 to 15 feet long, no higher than your inseam. It is very important to remember to look at the end of the box, low and wide stance, pointing your downhill hand at the end of the box to help you balance on a flat ski. At first try without poles to help you focus on low stance. It’s safer and easier to break your fall without them.
Stand sideways (90 degrees) on the box to feel the sensation of plastic under your skis. Point your downhill hand and hip towards the end of the box. Once you feel comfortable then proceed with an in-run to be able to pop 90 degrees on the box _ rail, keeping the hips square with the skis. To exit the box, then and only then do you want to use counter rotation; the opening of the hips will allow the skis to glide and point straight back with the line of momentum. When you have grinded and had positive results and feel daring then you are be ready for metal rails.
Fun box, metal rails or any rails the principals are the same:
- Line up skis on each side of box – rail
- Pop on 90 degrees looking at the end
- Wide and low stance
- Open up the hip at the end of the feature to go out straight or close the hip to go out fakie
- Keep an eye where you are going fakie or straight
Best advice, have a rail session with a certified Snowpark instructor. He or she will teach you the progression, their tricks, park etiquette, and most of all, safe fun. See you in the park, stay safe and have fun…
Roger Castonguay
CSIA Snowpark supervisor
