Last winter when the Rome mid west rep was in town I got to take the Rome Anthem SS 2012 for a rip. All rigged up with my bindings I rode this hot rod of snowboards in the natural pipes of Annupuri to blasting off pillows and deep powder turns at Teine in the mid March powder we scored through watching the weather patterns 
Rome SDS has been designing some sweet bindings over the years and the top end Targa for 2012 is a beauty. Targa’s are known to be tech, tuff, light, adjustable as can be and aesthetically pleasing. When a few guys from the rome crew came over to shred Niseko and Teine, I strapped my boots in and ripped around on em. Boot-in and board dangling off the lift, the binding didn’t release so no need for a leash! When fully strapped in the Targa’s are so comfy that it feels like you are just wearing boots and somehow your board is attached- Comfort King approved!
Neff 2012 winter shark mittens are always chasing a fella down the slopes in Hokkaido... Beware!Niseko snow and I are stoked to have warm fingers while grabbing stalefish and proud to introduce Neff's new powdershark mitts for 2012. A nice addition to Neff's ever-growing glove collection are the mitts that float the Hokkaido fluff like a puppet-show powder-master. These waterproof sharks have opposable thumbs, sharp toofs, beady eyes and dangerously soft dorsal-fins that can catch your nose while slashing pow when wiping snot.
Ripping around Niseko on 2012 Rome Mod Rock. A quick review for Nisekosnow.netI started riding next season's 2012 Rome Mod Rock in Sweden earlier this season- and in all my years shredding, I have never strapped on a board that felt so comfy. From early season arctic Sweden's parks, to the last month strapped in everyday ripping Niseko's pow, this stick has been sweet in all conditions. From what I've got-off from her so far... she's the future of boards from the future. First function, then style, right?
When getting ready for winter it is great to know that you are prepared. If you have watched The Fine Line movie you will know that the minimum to go backcountry anywhere is a probe, a shovel, and a beacon (and obviously a back pack to carry them in). Below is another a clip from the Fine Line to remind you of the dangers of riding backcountry and especially the Niseko backcountry with the amount of snow we get here. If you manage to pick up a copy of The Fine Line you will also get the 4 training videos which will prove invaluable in combination with backcountry training. more soon...
So banana or rocker technology is the way to go "if your not skiing". A few us here in Niseko jumped on the chance last year to ride these boards and none of us are looking back. There is debate to which boards are better and neither me or my friends can help because we loved our new boards so much that we didn't get a chance to try each others out. The idea behind it really makes sense cause who really wants to be fighting against camber that came from ski design in the first place and the first snowboards never had camber either!
