In late July, Jason Albert and Pete Vordenberg of The High Route, an independent backcountry skiing gear website and podcast, came to Romp’s factory in Crested Butte for something considerably more hands-on than a traditional gear test: They came to build skis.
After a consultation with Eligh Purvis, Romp’s do-it-all production manager, Jason settled on a lightweight, custom touring build based on the Shepherd 110 shape.
Why a custom ski build matters
Weight is always an uphill battle so Jason opted for the Paulownia wood core, part of Romp's ultra-light backcountry construction. His choice reduced the pair's weight by 450 grams compared to standard construction.
Romp's ultra-light package is the ideal companion for any backcountry skier. A lightweight Paulownia core provides durability and stability, combined with a mixed carbon composite, stringers, and dampening rubbers provide the ideal ratio of uphill performance with and downhill shredability. Jason opted for a shorter length and lower tip and tail rocker for stability and maneuverability in tight terrain. As with all of Romp's touring skis, a custom tail clip indent was installed to ensure your skins always stay on.
Jason chose The Wave, one of Romp’s many custom graphics, then added The High Route’s logo to the top sheet for a custom touch.
Inside Romp’s Build Camp
A Romp Build Camp is part ski-building workshop, part custom design session and part Crested Butte experience. Participants work alongside Romp's builders to understand what goes inside a ski, how different materials affect performance, and how core, flex, rocker, camber, construction and graphics can be customized around the skier and the way they intend to use the ski. An assisted build like Jason and Pete’s consumed a day-and-a-half. Day 1 involved coffee, more coffee, then choosing profile, length, core and graphics consuming the morning. Then a Q&A lunch date with Romp’s owner Chase Gardaphe followed by the ski’s layup in the afternoon.
Make a Trip of it
Crested Butte is a former mining town-turned-tourist destination, preserved to reflect the architecture of its 1880’s heritage. You can stay at a hotel, inn, bed & breakfast or a townhome just blocks away from Romp’s factory at 420 Belleview Ave. A 3-block stroll north is Elk Avenue, the town’s main street, making it just perfect for a lunch break with variety. Or, during down time simply relax and take in the surroundings, the town’s shops, galleries with zero chain stores. Romp’s factory location is great for exploring trailheads and a massive network MTB track. Soon you’ll be a local to the core.
That evening Jason and Pete joined a few Rompers for some high-octane house margs and a belly-laughing, belly-stuffing Tex-Mex dinner at Josè at The Beckwith hotel at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s main lifts in Mt. Crested Butte, a 3-mile jaunt up the road from the factory.
Day 2 began around 10 a.m. with ample caffeine and ended at 2 p.m. with final preparation of Jason’s skis, and a wrap-up conversation with Pete about next steps for his custom build.
After the build, Jason described the design consultation as “illuminating” and noted how extensively the Romp team worked through likes and dislikes of skis he had owned, where he intended to use the Shepherd 110 and exactly how he wanted it to perform.
By 3 p.m. Jason and Pete were aimed west toward Salt Lake City, The High Route’s Prius packed with gear, Romp swag and two new ski builders reflecting on an indelible experience that was crafted in Crested Butte.
If you join a Romp build camp and plan to be staying in Crested Butte beyond Day 2, you can take your skis home with you once they’ve been fully cured, trimmed, buffed, and inspected by the build team. Otherwise if you’re headed out of town the Romp team will ship them for you.
Build Your Own Romp
Interested in helping to create your next pair of skis? Learn more about Romp Build Camp, call Eligh or Morgan at Romp’s factory at 970.349.5353 or email info@rompskis.com.
