Flat Rails

• A rider negotiates a flat rail at Heavenly.
  
  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

• Rails don't have to be metal. This curved rail at Snowbird is made from trees.
  
  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.