Mini ramp

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A mini ramp is a type of half-pipe which is typically less than 6ft high. Any ramp smaller than this that is not a vert ramp is commonly called a mini ramp. Mini ramps can be as small as 2ft in height. While many ramps this size are designed to be forgiving to beginners, some are built more aggressively, providing a steeper ledge for experienced riders to perfect lip tricks.^[1] These ramps are appropriate for beginners as well, though they may find it necessary to work their way up from the bottom, as on larger half pipes.

Typically a mini ramp is used more for lip tricks than aerial tricks. This is because when performing airs on a mini ramp, one must ollie in order to avoid sailing over or onto the deck. On a vert ramp, the ollie is not necessarily a part of airs, as the vertical wall keeps the rider over the transition. Many public skateparks will choose to provide a mini ramp because it is suitable for beginners as well as more advanced riders.

A mini ramp can be made more versatile by adding extensions (higher sections) hips (other transitioned ramps at 90 degrees to it) or joining two mini ramps together to form a spine-mini ramp. Mini ramps are places where vert skaters and street skaters can meet, because street skaters can still do street style tricks, and vert skaters still have the transition to skate. Mini ramps are popular to build because they are very portable, and they can fit in many indoor enclosures.

Most mini ramps are covered in Skatelite or Masonite for a more smooth ride, although many people prefer to use plain plywood.^{[citation needed]} Mini ramps are also very "mellow" meaning that it does not go into any vert and therefore easier to learn on and less intimidating. Common tricks carried out on a mini-ramp woud include; rock to fakie, rock n' roll, tailstall, nosestall and many other stall combinations.

Mini ramps are also known for their appearance in skateboarding videos, such as Almost's "Cheese and Crackers", which stars Almost skateboarders Daewon Song and Chris Haslam. The video contains a mini ramp and strange throwaway items like doors and pieces of wood.

They are also a great form of exercise and are great for beginner skaters learning to drop in and easy tricks related like rock to fakies and rock and rolls.