Snow Scams – Shops To Avoid

It seems the BoardParadise.com issue is still a big concern, 1, for the people that got screwed and 2, for the fact that they are coming back around as bprideshop.com. Now like I previously stated I had no problems what-so-ever with them. I got everything I ordered exactly. No problems with shipping or my credit card (and I keep a close eye on that).

This got me thinking: Since I don’t have a large choice of shops and do most of my shopping online, are there other bad retailers out there?

Someone mentioned Snowboard Connection, but I have no opinion since I have yet to deal with them. If anyone has any input, let me know. I’m not talking stupid rants, but if you ordered something and got the wrong item (more than once), or never received your order or even had problems afterwords with fraud, let me know.

Rome Blue Snowboard: The Love Of My Life

08/09 Rome Blue 154

So Friday was a wonderful day. Aside from the fact that the weekend had arrived, so had my new snowboard! Yup, I picked up a 08′/09′ Rome Blue! I already ride a 06′ Blue and I love it. It’s still in good condition with only a few nicks in it. I wasn’t looking to replace it for another year, but with such a great deal, I couldn’t pass it up. I also saw the sneak peak at the 09′-10′ design and don’t like it as much; see the Rome collection here.

The Rome Blue is the ultimate all-mountain board for advanced women shredders. It’s got enough flex and pop for ollies and butters, but it’s wicked fast and holds a solid edge through all kinds of crud you encounter here on the east coast. It was a big improvement for me over a too-wide park board when I didn’t have much money or clue about what to ride. And I can’t tell you how much my riding improved and how much confidence I gained because of riding the right board. Shred Betties did a board test and they thought the Blue was overall a fun board, scored a 4/5, but too stiff torsionally. My old one is great, quick turns, but it could just be broken in. I’m not a feather either, but I’m hoping the 08′/09′ is just as good. And since I want to keep it fast I’ll be taking proper care of it.

I am still contemplating whether or not I want to acquire a more flexible park board though. I feel like I can keep my old Blue since it’s already broken in, but my boards are both a 155 and 154. I don’t know how much I could progress in the park using a smaller one. If anyone has a really valid reason and a good, affordable recommendation, bring it on.

Now that I have a new board I will also be looking for some new bindings to complete the setup! I’m eyeing a pair of Rome Madisons. Maybe Rome Struts. Thoughts?

Ahh! I just found this review on the Rome Blue!

Last Minute Deal On Gear and Clothes

So, by reading this blog, you probably now that I shop a lot. Not for the latest fashions or purses, but for winter clothes and snowboard gear. I like my baselayers and sometimes wear them to work since it’s casual. And I figured share the deals. Today I got a 20% discount on all outlet items at evogear.com. The code is 3DAY, you can enter it at checkout and this includes boards, boots, bindings and wake gear too!

Does Anyone Hardboot It?

I was working the New Year weekend and we have a little snowboarder at our hill that is 10 and he kills it on a board. He can ride, jump, jib and pretty decently for 10 on east coast. He travels to comps, mostly racing, but some freestyle. On top of snowboarding, he skis, snowmobiles, races dirt bikes and rides alpine. There’s more, but I think that alone is pretty impressive for 10. At 10, I wasn’t even snowboarding. I was a low-key kinda kid, though I was being introduced to the adrenaline rush by my race car father.

I promise to never dress like that.

On to my real topic, hardbooting. It looks like a very aggressive, but fun ride. I was told that it will change your riding because in alpine you drive force to the edge more with your knees, than lean like on a regular board. I bet it would improve my carving greatly on my everyday board. I would love to demo it, because it is way too expensive to just pick one up, but I’d need boots as well. My only worry is the angle of the feet. I ride duck, and have for a while now because it’s just natural to me. About a year or so ago I tried riding a positive angle on my back foot and was in so much pain by the end of one run, I had to change it back.

Has anyone tried it before? I would love to know more about the feel, the technique and if it has made them ride differently. I’m heading to Stratton in the spring for an AASI clinic, so if anyone knows where I can get a demo there, let me know!

GearTrade.com Has Saved My Wallet

During these tough times I’m finding it harder and harder to think about snowboarding. I desperately need some updates of base layers, and a jacket and pants that fit. Two years ago I was chubby and now my winter clothes don’t fit. Me in my instructor jacket looks like a little kid in a fireman’s suit. It’s bad. And clothes that don’t fit right, don’t work right to keep you warm. So early on, I started searching for deals and stumbled upon GearTrade.com.

I found this Salomon 3-in-1 softshell jacket, that retails for $400, listed for $45. So you can see why I was a little skeptical. The seller was listed as Backcountry.com, which I like and trust. The listing said the tags were still on, but that the jacket had 2 small dirt stains and could not be sold at retail. So I ordered it, and as the process is a little slower than an actual retail site, it still works well. Turns out that Backcountry.com couldn’t find the jacket, misplaced, sold already, whatever. I was a little dissapointed, but I found another Salomon 3-in-1 and snatched it right up for less than $60. Now I got it and I’m not totally psyched with the way it fit as it’s tailored more towards a skier. I prefer a bit of room, so I’m going to sell it on eBay. You can also sell your stuff on GearTrade.com to a bigger audience, but I’m pretty good with eBay already.

I had found a pair of pants, 686 Ace Tributes from last year, for $100 on Boardparadise.com. Great price, free shipping and $20 cheaper than everywhere else online. Couldn’t beat it, so I grabbed those. Since they are this sage green with a crazy screenprint, I opted for a plain black jacket. And GearTrade.com had this Bonfire 3-in-1 jacket from last year, missing the tags, at $31+ shipping. It’s a small, but Bonfire runs big usually, so I took a shot. It’s in the mail! I hope it fits!

I don’t need a board, boots or bindings and haven’t really checked out those listings, but there is a good amount to search through. I do, however, hope to get out west this year and will need a board bag, which I can find easily. I could use my own instead of borrowing one, and at such steep discounts, why not?

If you’re cash-strapped this year, as are most people, it’s good thing to look into.