Snowboard Trick and Tips for Slide & Rail Tricks

Snowboarding has become one of the most popular "extreme sports" in the world thanks to the exposure it has received through events such as the annual X-Games and the Winter Olympics. Prototype snowboards started getting made in the 1960s but it would take decades before the practice would evolve from a fringe hobby to a mainstream sport. Snowboarders today are polished athletes who can do athletic tricks using the board and the surroundings. Slide and rail tricks are popular but take time to learn.

  1. Board Slide

    • The Board Slide is one of the most basic tricks in snowboarding. It is a good maneuver to practice initially before moving on to more advanced tricks. It is performed by jumping up on a rail and sliding down it while balancing the board straight and perpendicular on the rail. It is a good idea to practice balancing your board on a pipe on the ground or anything else that can act as a fulcrum so you get used to balancing your weight before trying to catch air on a new trick. Keep the rail in-between your two feet.

    50-50

    • A 50-50 is very similar to a board slide but in this instance, the board is parallel to the rail instead of perpendicular. Since the board is length-wise on the rail instead of width-wise, it can be harder to keep your balance centered on your first few attempts. Higher speed makes it easier to balance on the rail and keeps your weight from fluctuating too much.

    Tail Slide

    • A Tail Slide is performed in similar position as a Board Slide but instead of having the rail in the center of the board between your feet, your weight is shifted so the tail of your board rests and slides down the rail. The board is perpendicular to the rail, while the rest of the board is unsupported in the air. Positioning is the most important element of this trick. Practice Board Slides while gradually shifting the board farther along the rail at each pass until you're in the Tail Slide position. This can help you pull the trick off consistently.