How Do You Rail Slide On A Snowboard?
Any sliding on the bottom of your board on a non-snow object (handrail, log, trashcan) is considered a rail slide – an excellent freestyle maneuver to add to your snowboarding bag of tricks. Approach the rail-slide object with cautious (but ample) speed. Ollie or jump up early and high enough to get up and over the object. Extend your legs to plant the board on the object. Plant it perpendicular for a rail slide or parallel for a 50/50 grind. There are other variations, but start with these two. Plant the board lightly, allowing your speed and air to carry you rather than actually sliding on the object right away. Let your weight settle as slowly as possible onto the object. Be ready for a change of speed as your weight settles into the slide. Metal tends to go faster than snow, while wood tends to go slower. Hop up slightly as you reach the end of the slide and straighten the board out to land riding forward.
