I rode the 2024/2025 Rome Stale Fish on a sunny, low-temperature day towards the end of the 2024 season with firm/icy snow and softer groomed runs in the sun. My first impression was how stable and solid the board felt underfoot. I could ride fast, set an edge, and trust it to hold through a hard turn. The flex was just past middle of the road, which helped dampen vibrations and gave me plenty of pop off rollers and side hits.

You can feel the volume-shifted design and wider platform underfoot, which delivers a stable platform as well as a more nimble feel when carving. The Stale Fish is more directional, but I had no issues riding or landing switch. I took it through the park for a lap, and it was a ton of fun in the air with solid snap and low swing weight for spins. It felt a little awkward on jibs, but still doable. The camber between the feet felt very responsive, but not overwhelming. I think this can be accredited to the early-rise rocker in the nose, which kept turns easy to initiate and the board cruising over any inconsistencies in the snow.

The Stale Fish sits in an interesting position as it wasn’t as playful as other volume-shifted party boards, but it wasn’t as aggressive as typical freeride decks. Nor was it so directional that you couldn’t ride switch or throw in more freestyle flair. Thus, it’d categorize it as a slightly aggressive, volume-shifted, all-mountain snowboard with a freeride soul. You can hit powder with it, the park, trees, or carve up a groomer. It can do it all, but it’s not amazing at any one thing.

Intermediate riders and up who want a short-wide board that can do anything, but lean a bit more freeride will love this board. It can easily be a quiver-killing daily driver if that diverse range of performance fits your style. Conversely, it can also work as a nice addition to your quiver if you’re looking for a nimble tree/powder board. Up to you, but a great ride from Rome.