What are the Types of Rails for Snowboarders?

Look at any ski resort's terrain park and you'll plenty of rails, typically metal structures bent and twisted into all sorts of shapes. Their purpose is to offer a snowboarder the same sort of obstacles enjoyed by a street skater, although rails have progressed far beyond the shape of a simple handrail. In beginner parks, there usually is a snow-packed ramp that allows riders to ride onto the rail without much additional effort. More advanced parks typically require a jump, or "ollie" in order to get on top of the rail. Once there, a rider can add his individual style, sliding directly across the rail's surface in line with the rail, sliding the board perpendicular to the rail facing forward or backward, even keeping just the tip of the board on the rail.

Flat Rails

Flat Rails are just as the name implies, a flat, straight surface that typically runs parallel with the fall line of the hill. Most parks will feature flat rails that are about 6 to 12 inches wide, constructed of steel tubing with a slick deck surface secured between the pipes. Beginner rails often are just a few inches above the snow. More advanced rails are significantly higher.

Kinked Rails

Kinked rails force the rider to contend with an abrupt transition in the rail's surface. An example would be a rail with a straight downhill section, which transitions into a brief, flat, horizontal segment, before once again angling downward parallel to the hill. The shape dramatically increases the difficulty, forcing the rider to absorb the kink without losing balance.

Curved Rails

Curved rails come in a variety of shapes, from a smooth arch like a rainbow, to a wavy shape in the form of a letter S or a gentle C. These rails force riders to compensate for the change in direction, and are usually best suited to advanced riders.

Boxes

Boxes are a variation on the basic rail. They're often quite wide, providing the rider with a broad surface to skim across. Rather than require the rider to balance atop a narrow platform, a box allows for a variety of spins, or presses, across its surface.

Practice

Like in any sport, skill levels evolve with practice. Beginners should learn on the smaller, less intimidating rails in a novice terrain park. Once you have the necessary skills, move to the more challenging intermediate or expert parks to advance your skills.