I agree with the "spirit" of this OP, simply being that it would be nice if Slope contests put more emphasis on jibbing in general. I don't think anyone would argue that, for the most part, "rails" are just the things in the way of the jump line at this point.
Couple of things:
1. To those saying that technical rail features would appeal to the general public, you're simply wrong. I guarantee that, to your casual x-games viewer, a BACKFLIP appears more impressive than a lip 2 on to a dfd to pretzel 2 out. No question. So, arguing that more difficult rails or an increased emphasis on rails would somehow up viewership or ski enthusiasm, you're just wrong, sorry.
2. I don't really know that "more difficult" features is the way to fix this lopsided jump/rail thing. As has been pointed out (particularly by Ced who is a rail SLAYER), even the best rail skiers out there will not clean a particularly difficult rail time and time again...let alone whilst throwing a contest worthy trick. Being that rail features are almost ALWAYS placed at the start of a course, coming off early, not getting the right amount of rotation out, would all be issues. If someone was supposed to land a rail switch because they plan on sw 9ing the first jump, yet are unable to because they only 2ed out instead, they're fucked.
I think the way to go is to simply coax judges to place more emphasis on difficult jib tricks, and include features that are actually rails, not glorified jump take offs, or something to barely tap as you jump over it. Not that those things can't also be included, but when those things replace more traditional rails/boxes, you've taken out a huge element. In addition, I'd like to see builders include other types of features (as the flow of the course permits...I'll get to that later)...wall rides, knolls and knuckles to handdrag and butter, or even some kind of drop to near flat. In essence, include obstacles that force competitors to show off more than they're ability to wind up and spin.
I will say that when the rail features are ride on, or gap on, fd boxes, you've pretty much guaranteed that the field is going to disaster (tap) the box and hope to carry as much speed into whatever is next. So, set them up urban style and give guys with butter tricks, or tech lip tricks an opportunity to set themselves apart. The problem with that though, is that speed becomes an issue. Example, if you plan on butter 2ing in to a dfd rail, and swapping at the 2nd kink, you're not sitting on the backs of your skis as you approach it...you're going to approach it kind of mellow. The problem is, often, you need as much speed as possible for the next feature, and doing some super tech rail trick might literally make it impossible to make the landing on the first jump. This leads into MY proposal...
Jump line FIRST, jibs at the end!
I think it's always been done different because spectators are at the bottom, and they put the big jump at the bottom for the sake of the in person audience, and I suppose it adds some drama to the whole affair in that a lot rides on that last jump and it's usually where riders throw their signature big trick.
But, if you put the jumps first, and the jibs at the bottom, it gives riders the ability to slam on the breaks, and approach the rails like you would in a park. It would just open up the playbook, if you will, and even more importantly, allow riders to make last second choices about what tricks they want to do, based on how they feel the jump line went. If they killed it up top, it gives them the ability to go to a safety trick...if they only tickled that blunt, or landed a lil backseat, they might need to bring out the big shit. Also, by putting the rail features last, you've eliminated the whole dilemma about, "Well, I want to do right 9 on the first jump, so I need to come off of the last rail forward...".
In closing, I don't think we'll ever see some huge shift towards technical jibbing, because simply put, jumping, flipping, and spinning are all visually more impressive to a general audience. Period.
But, I think what's more likely, and doable, is to ADD a separate jibcentric event complete with different riders. It could be a glorified, upscale rail jam of some kind. Maybe two winners...one for best trick (equiv of big air), and best overall score. If you've watched skate street at Dew Tour...that's a great model. A timed, jam format with riders taking turns hitting any number of different features would be awesome.
