Spots: Uptown Manhattan — Upper West Side

Spot: Despite the fact that this is one of the better-looking bank spots in the area, it is a lot more difficult to skate than it looks. All of the approaches to them are skewed in one way or another, and every bank except one (the narrowest one) lies on either a slope or the bank itself rests on a tilt. The surface itself is brick and pretty choppy. The steepness varies depending on which side you get on, but there are some mellower corners here and there to warm up on.

Bust — ♦♦♦♦ / Very Likely: The less people you show up with, the better off you are. A security guard from the building will kick you out as soon as he spots you, but that may take a while, because he is not always at the front of the building. The banks are at the farthest possible portion of the plaza from the security window, so odds are a little bit in your favor. Just avoid the front of the building when you can, and you may be able to get a quick session in.

Location: 95th Street and Columbus Avenue. Take the 1, 2, or 3 train to 96th Street. Skate south for one block on Broadway, make a left, and skate east for two blocks.

Pictures (Click to Enlarge):