Combined with the Single Barrel Bamboo Hotrods in the nose and tail, the Artifact gets some superlight pop at either end, without compromising the softer torsional flex through the waist. Bamboo’s properties give a lively and snappy flex, but don’t have quite the same power as something like carbon, so pressing and buttering on the ends is still very much on the cards.

And that’s where the Artifact’s new Double Kicks comes in to play. The scoop in the snowboard’s nose and tail is broken into an aggressive two-part rise, built for increased pressability and better landings. Rather than the micro-adjustments or inconsistencies of finding the sweet spot to press or ollie from, the Artifact takes a more binary approach to business. You’re very much either on or off the Artifact’s Double Kicks, and that locked-in feeling so many brands claim is rarely matched as well as you’ll find here.

“You’re very much either on or off the Artifact’s Double Kicks and that locked-in feeling so many brands claim is rarely matched as well as you’ll find here”

As for the rest of the snowboard’s construction, its bombproof and durable construction takes some of the fear out of pushing your park riding on a precious new steed, but also helps to keep the costs down. The Stomp Core is built with 100% poplar wood, sandwiched between softer flexing biax laminates which provide sufficient energy and response without pushing the Artifact’s flex rating beyond the halfway mark.

Glass Impact Plates under the inserts help to absorb some of the thuds on heavier landings and reduce the foot fatiguing chatter that’s not uncommon when you’re lapping hard all day. The underside of the Artifact utilises their Powerslide Base, with improved wax absorption, increased durability and, best of all, more bang for your buck.

The Rome Artifact isn’t completely pushing the envelope or attempting to redefine the park board genre altogether. But it doesn’t need to. It’s always been right on the money and has evolved with the rider over time. A subtle tweak here and little redesign there is all it took for this one to climb back atop its throne and rule over the park, once again.