RAIL SLIDE with Paddy Graham

Feature: Gap to High Rail

Safety check: Scope the rail you're about to hit and ski up to the rail a few times to test your speed before hitting it. Going too fast or going too slow could result in clearing the rail or not making the gap onto it.

LINE UK Pro rider Paddy Graham doing a high rail sequence, Mammoth 2004

How to: Approch the rail with confidence. Also picture yourself doing the grind. On this rail there is no need to approch the rail from a given side, unlike some urban rails. I find it easier on this type of rail to approach it straight on, so when I jump on the rail I will be square with the rail and keep my balance easier. If you lose your balance when on the rail or you run out of speed before the end of the rail make sure you push/jump off the rail to the side you are leading to, for me I would lean forward so I come off the rail forward. At the end of the rail you can land regular or switch, you can spin off the rail too (shown in next trick tips).

Extra tip: Keep your skis flat and weight central when on the rail. Too much weight on one ski can cause you to catch an edge and flip off the rail, slide out backwards off the rail and even "split the rail" (on a rail this high splitting it could end up in castration!). Keeping your weight central on your skis will help you keep you balance on the rail, so there is an equal amount of ski each side of the metal.

Paddy Graham, 2004