#2 on this list
Ravine — Men’s & Women’s
Rome
The Rome Ravine sits in a sweet spot for intermediate to advanced riders who want directional freeride capability without losing a playful, energetic disposition. Designed to tackle deep powder stashes, natural side hits, and resort groomers with equal composure, it is widely recognized as an outstanding value for riders seeking a single board to tackle unpredictable winter conditions across North America. The board pairs a directional shape with a softer torsional flex and a responsive camber profile between the feet, transitioning to a rockered, rock-solid nose. This construction allows riders to lean back into deep snow without suffering burning quads, while also enabling surfy, low-effort slashes along tree lines. Rome’s internal structural glass and carbon additives provide plenty of pop when popping off cat tracks, yet the flex remains forgiving enough that catching an edge is far less common than on rigid freeride planks. The trade-off for this lively, forgiving character is a modest loss of dampness at terminal velocity. When navigating bulletproof early-morning ice or hauling through heavy, frozen refrozen crud, the Ravine can feel a bit lively and chatter underfoot compared to ultra-stiff, metal-laminated alternatives. It shines brightest under riders who prefer a nimble, dynamic flow down the mountain rather than absolute freight-train charging. **Highlights** - Hybrid directional camber with rockered nose for effortless float - Playful medium flex that balances pop with turn initiation - Agile sidecut well-suited for tight tree navigation - Approachable learning curve for progressing intermediate riders - High performance-to-cost ratio relative to premium competitors **Watch-outs** - Can chatter and transmit feedback on hard, refrozen ice - Shorter tail profile reduces landing support on deep drops - Less dampening stability at ultra-high downhill speeds
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#3 on this list
Howler — Men’s & Women’s
Jones
The Jones Howler caters specifically to aggressive all-mountain riders who approach natural terrain with a freestyle mindset. While traditional all-mountain boards often lean heavily toward directional cruising, the Howler is tuned for launching off natural rollers, stomping steep landings, and laying down deep trenches on corduroy. It is an unapologetic, firm-charging platform built for riders who carry speed into every feature. Jones built the Howler with a stout flex profile and a responsive camber-dominant base, delivering immense snap and instantaneous edge response. The refined sidecut utilizes subtle edge-traction zones to dig into slick snow and windblown ridges, giving the rider confidence when setting up for drops in firm conditions. Inside, targeted stringers reduce torsional wash, ensuring the board stays planted and tracks true when landing heavily or carving at maximum lean angles. Because of its aggressive build, the Howler offers very little forgiveness for casual resort lapping. Relaxing over the center of the board or engaging turns tentatively will quickly lead to unexpected edge grabs. It is not built for slow-speed buttering or cruising flat run-outs; it requires strong leg input and constant rider engagement, making it best suited for seasoned riders with established board control. **Highlights** - Aggressive camber-dominant profile engineered for maximum energy return - Substantial torsional stiffness for stability on high-speed landings - Strategic edge-grip profiling for dependable bite on firm snow - Robust core construction built to endure blunt freestyle impacts - Distinct platform suited for both technical carving and natural air **Watch-outs** - Uncompromising flex pattern punishes technique errors - Requires significant leg drive to bend and maneuver at low speeds - Not suited for novice or casual intermediate resort cruising
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Ravine — Men’s & Women’s | Howler — Men’s & Women’s |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Directional hybrid camber with rockered nose | Camber-dominant with rockered tips |
| Shape | Tapered directional | Directional twin |
| Flex Rating | Medium flex | Stiff (approx. 8 out of 10) |
| Riding Level | Intermediate to advanced | — |
| Category | All-mountain freeride | — |
| Listed Price | Approximately $348 | — |
| Riding Style | — | Aggressive all-mountain freestyle |
| Ability Level | — | Advanced to expert |
| Core Matrix | — | Hardwood blend with targeted stringers |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Ravine — Men’s & Women’s
- Effortless powder float delivered by the rockered, contoured nose
- Agile, low-fatigue turn initiation ideal for tight tree runs
- Playful medium flex that remains forgiving across choppy snow
- Outstanding performance-to-price ratio within the directional category
- Transmits noticeable chatter when carving over bulletproof ice
- Lacks the high-speed dampening stability of heavier, stiff decks
- Shorter tail reduces support when stomping deep drop landings
Howler — Men’s & Women’s
- Explosive pop and massive energy return out of loaded turns
- Exceptional edge hold on firm resort corduroy and windblown ice
- Rock-solid landing stability when stomping drops at speed
- Durable construction built to withstand heavy all-mountain impacts
- Punishes lazy technique and imprecise edge awareness immediately
- Stiff longitudinal flex makes slow-speed flat buttering difficult
- Requires constant physical input that can tire legs over a full day
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.