Mini ramp
A mini ramp is a type of half-pipe which is typically less than 6 ft (1.8 m) high. Any ramp smaller than this that is not a vert ramp and is commonly called a mini ramp. Mini ramps can be as small as 2 ft (0.61 m) 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 (performed on the coping) 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. Mini ramps can be considered an efficient use of space in a skate park as the rider can execute many tricks/maneuvers and spent many minutes riding nonstop in such a small, finite space
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.
Mini ramps can be covered in Skatelite, Masonite or plain plywood. There are also miniramps built entirely out of concrete, except for the steel copings. 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 would include; rock to fakie, rock n' roll, tailstall, nosestall, Axlestall and many other stall combinations.
Mini ramps are considered easier to master tricks on before learning to do them on the bigger ramps. This is due to their smaller size and reduced steepness of the transitions. It is recommended by intermediate-advanced skaters that one learn to drop in on a mini-ramp and be able to execute a kickturn or a stall on the opposing transition, a fundamental skill for park and half-pipe riding.
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.