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!

Burton Snowboards Layoffs and Pay Cuts

A few months back there were layoffs at my own job and thankfully it wasn’t me. My job is safe, but some still are not. Not even Burton is immune to the economy, especially since the worst at prime profit season. They are managing to cut only 5% of their North American workforce and also doling out pay cuts which definitely helps keep them at 5%. Jake and Donna Burton have both eliminated their salaries: way to go. This approach seems inline with how they run their company and I feel they will be fine.

What I really would like to know is how some other companies are faring. I’m a big supporter of Rome Snowboards, 686 Outerwear and Salomon Snowboards. I know Salomon is a huge company with many divisions, but I fear for the smaller companies. The start ups, the grassroots companies who are doing great things, but not at the pace Burton is. I would hate to see them go under.

Rome SDS catalog has arrived!

Now like all you shred heads out there fall is one of the most exciting times of the year because you can finally see the new product for the upcoming season. The snowboard magazines with hundreds of products in one place, with informative articles and amazing pictures. Then there are the company catalogs that magically arrive in the mail every year with a companies’ full product line and an insight into how and why they do what they do. And let me tell you, that’s just about my favorite part. Why? Because I can relate to how they feel. Snowboarding is a drug for me and I can’t pinpoint one thing about it. It’s the lifestyle, the sport, the people and that feeling I get when riding, like no one or nothing can touch me.

But, back to my Rome catalog. I was in the market for a new board about two (2) years ago and had heard some great reviews on a little company called Rome. Now I never got to demo a board of theirs, but I loved the graphics, but mostly I loved what they stood for. And that’s what got me hooked. Yea, I know Burton is a great company and have the same ideals, but I wasn’t too fond of the boards I demoed. They were supposed to be all mountain freeride, but it just didn’t feel right under my feet. So after tons of research, online and in-person, I decided on a Rome Blue 155. Now, the hard part: saving the money, finding the board. The saving the money part took all summer and by October I had enough for a new board and bindings. I found a shop called Catskill Forest Sports in Glenford, NY. They had my board, but it was a second (meaning Rome thought it was not up to standards, though me and the shop guy couldn’t figure out why). So instead of $430 retail, I paid $330! I was stoked. What made me more happy was the fact that I was over and hour away and wouldn’t get there till after close, and they happily stayed open, helped me with other stuff and basically made my day and my season. Props to Catskill Forest Sports!

So now that I’m way off point, let me say that Rome is still sick. I love the board and have lots of time left with it. I’ll probably end up buying another Rome when the time comes. If you didn’t get the catalog, head to Rome’s website and Sign Up for a Catalog! ASAP. Getting mail has never been so much fun.

P.S. Rome’s 08′/09′ Collection is sick!