Shape, Profile and Sidecut

Let’s start with the nose. The front of the Ravine packs plenty of volume into a wide, blunt outline that offers efficient lift in deep snow. There’s also a touch of 3D shaping here, a slight diagonal crease in either side lending the nose a hull-like quality for smashing over chop or (if you’re lucky enough) surfing even easier through pow. Several brands have zeroed in on the wide points as being critical for turn initiation (props here to the pioneers at Bataleon and Jones) and by raising the sides Rome have forged their own solution. There’s less of the catchiness you can experience on standard cambered boards when changing edges, especially when you’re not pointing straight down the fall line. In short, it’s a little more forgiving without straying into washy.

Moving to the tail, there’s a subtle 7.5 mm taper which works alongside the set back stance to help it sink in the deep stuff, but the difference is not super noticeable on hardpack. In fact, while it’s not exactly a jib stick, we rode the Ravine switch no problem; the little diamond point keeps the tip clear of trouble, and if you’ve got the chops then cab and switch backside spins are definitely on the table.

In keeping with the tapered shape, the Ravine’s camber is slightly set back, with a flat section beneath your front foot and early rise rocker towards the nose. Similar profiles are found on many all-mountain boards right now, helping turns feel relaxed in your regular stance while improving the board’s ability to mow down bumps and shred pow.

“Fully directional boards can still mix it on jumps while delivering proper, grin-inducing float in powder”

Construction and Materials

A 50/50 blend of poplar and paulownia gives the Ravine’s core a lively and lightweight feel, and with the addition of two carbon ‘Pop Rods’ – running diagonally out towards the tail – there’s plenty of ollie power on tap.

Different types of fibreglass are deployed in the layup: mellower biax weave beneath the core, and stiffer, more responsive triax on the top. The use of triax might sound intimidating but the overall flex is pretty friendly, especially at the nose to middle of the board where the lack of carbon lets you get your butter on. Compared to the more aggressive Ravine Select, this is a more freestyle-oriented platform that most riders will find accessible and which encourages you to get playful on any terrain.

There’s a sintered base, too. It’s not the fastest we’ve tested (for pure race pace you’ll need to shell out for the Select) but it’s plenty quick enough to leave your extruded-running brethren in the dust. As for the graphic… well, Rome set their stall out about 20 years ago didn’t they? Distressed typeface? Check. Black and white topsheet? Check. Black and red base? Check. They’re punk rock till they die.

“The overall flex is pretty friendly, especially at the nose to middle of the board where the lack of carbon lets you get your butter on”

Roundup

Although the Ravine basically remains unchanged, it still represents one of the best all-mountain snowboards money can buy. Its tapered lines manage to tread the line perfectly between exciting and functional, with all the set back vibes you need to make the most of blower days. Sure, you could plump for the Select and enjoy some fancier materials, but we reckon the standard version is actually more fun to ride for the majority of shredders thanks to that freestyle-friendly flex. Keep the difference for an extra couple of days on your lift pass.

Pros:

• Playful performance on any terrain
• Tapered shape rides sick in pow

Cons:

• Graphic plays it safe

“Ahh yes, the Ravine. As a board that I’ve personally enjoyed countless incredibly fun days with, both powder days and normal-groomer-riding days that turn into ‘oh shit what am I doing over here’ days, the Ravine is a board that I could wax poetically about for hours. I’ll spare you the pageantry but think about the Ravine like a gateway drug. It’s the perfect flex and shape for riders who have always ridden a twin but are curious about exploring a directional option for all-mountain riding. The Ravine’s freestyle oriented flex makes it a super approachable way to get riders excited about heading into the unknown and getting after some bigger terrain.

With a healthy dose of taper, our 3D Directional Diamond nose for unsinkable float on powder days, and a playful yet responsible flex pattern, the Ravine is truly a board you could spend all season on and never be disappointed.”