Despite the down economy, the underdog companies in snowboarding certainly have the upper hand and are finding themselves in positions to bring back companies or launch new companies. The heartbeats of these companies lie in the mountains and it’s only a matter of time before they start beating again. Compatriot Snowboards began in 2002 with a focus on handcrafting freeride/big mountain freestyle boards and is now re-launching the brand after some downtime. For 2009-2010 they will be offering a limited run of high-end boards built in the United States.
“It certainly seems like the right time for this brand to resurface,” says new Owner and Sales Manager Rick Hansen, “Retailers are still looking for unsullied brands that can offer something unique and meaningful to their core consumer, and many of our customers are still riding the product Compatriot built for them 2 or 3 seasons ago. That’s not only a testament to the durability of the snowboards themselves, but also to the longevity of our cultural mission.”
The announcement of their pro team is still on the way and the launch of their website is coming up but here’s a sneak peak to their board lineup they have in store for 09-10 including the Brunch Tray with Skunk Rocker.
2009-2010 Compatriot Board lineup
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2009-2010 Compatriot Snowboard Features
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I’m certainly excited to see these backs come back to the surface of snowboarding and to see their giving back program come back with strong convictions behind these boards. Until then it’s counting down till all the Compatriot information is out and the boards make their way back into riders hands.
burritosandsnow
October 15, 2009 at 6:46 amwell imma be as superficial as I can be and say their graphics are actually pretty awesome .. love the look of that outra vez but the New Order rip off graphic on the movement pretty much made me pee my pants a little hahaha.. the inclusion of a reverse camber option is pretty much required nowadays and they got that … so yeah heres to their future good luck to em!
Paris
October 15, 2009 at 6:59 amI was wondering what happened to them. I think they were based out of Driggs, ID where a lot of hardcore big mountain bums reside, just over the pass from Jackson Hole and near grand targhee, and they worked with a great artist/designer: Kelly D. Williams.
Bob
October 15, 2009 at 7:27 amNice. I rode a Compatriot board for the ’02/’03 season. Solid board. Still have some old Compatriot stickers laying around. 🙂
Hopefully I’ll get a chance to try out one of the new ones sometime.
Bob
October 15, 2009 at 7:33 amCheck that… it was the ’05/06 season (not that it really matters)
hoon
October 15, 2009 at 11:37 amkelly is the man. i still have some stickers lying around as well. Otra Vez always has had some tight tight graphics. Some sick all-mtn, big-mtn boards.
dan
October 15, 2009 at 1:03 pmIf Burton were to come out with graphics with a shotgun on it, all hell would probably break loose like the love series did, funny how a small brand can just fly under the radar on something like this.
A. Nony Mouse
October 15, 2009 at 2:01 pmSo is this the same old Compatriot with the new owner or is it now just another dime-a-dozen poser brand?
Noraflora
October 15, 2009 at 2:21 pmI like the Elk. I have an Ohio boy,age 13, That loves snow .He would be glad to test one for you.
Marcus
October 16, 2009 at 8:14 amIt is great to se Compatriot rise again. I love the graphics except for the shotgun. I rode a Compatriot Outra Vez 166 05-06 and it was a great board made by Smokin. I wonder who will manufacture the boards now.
Robert Harold Sell III
October 19, 2009 at 5:20 pmMarcus must have bad taste… The shotgun graphic is my favorite. That’s what I’m going to ride. Draplin kicks ass.