Hello and welcome to my Burton Paramount review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Paramount as a freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Paramount a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freestyle snowboards.
NOTE: The 2021 model was the last model of the Paramount. The new Burton Blossom is similar but not identical.
Overall Rating
Board: Burton Paramount
Price: $519
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium-Soft
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (5/10)
Rating Score: 85.7/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Boards
Out of the 37 men’s freestyle snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Paramount’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Paramount’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $519 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium-Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Felt light |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
152 | 250 | 120-180 | 54-82 |
155 | 252 | 120-180 | 54-82 |
158 | 255 | 150-200 | 68-91 |
162 | 258 | 180-260+ | 82-118+ |
Who is the Paramount Most Suited To?
The Paramount is a great option for anyone who wants ample pop and power for riding the park - or on the way to the park on the groomers. And still wants to be able to lay down a good carve. It's a stomper that can go big, but isn't cumbersome for smaller jumps and side-hits too.
Through my aggressive-all-mountain-freestyle snowboard rating system the Paramount actually scores in the 90s, so it's perhaps even better suited to that category - so you can certainly use it for that too. I chose to put it here as it's softer flexing than I normally put in that category.
Not for the beginner or even intermediate rider. This is best suited to those who are already advanced confident riders and have some park game already.
The Paramount in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Paramount is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Burton Paramount 2020, 158cm (255mm waist width)
Date: March 9, 2019
Conditions: Sunny with some clouds and perfect visibility.
Snow was well groomed and soft on top on groomers and soft but quite tracked off groomer (but there had been quite a bit of recent snowfall and still some untouched pockets).
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 267mm (10.51")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 185lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Vans Aura
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Flex
Burton rate this as just on the softer side of medium - looking at their scale about a 4/10 or 4.5/10. In hand that feels pretty accurate but it rides a little stiffer than that. I felt the 158 at probably 5.5/10. But if I was to buy this board for predominantly park riding, I might look at the 155 potentially, which would be roughly around 5/10 flex I would say.
Powder
This is it's biggest weakness. Even in shallow powder it felt a bit sinky. Of course you can ride anything in powder, but this is one that really increases your chances of nose diving and ending the day with a very fatigued back leg.
Carving & Turning
Really fun on a carve. This board has heaps of camber and you get heaps of spring out of a turn and really allows you to get into quite an aggressive carve, despite the lower flex rating.
Not easy to skid turns on though, so not a good beginner option. Too aggressive overall for a beginner anyway.
But it is actually quite nimble at slower speeds, which surprised me a little, but I guess that's one of the advantages you get from a slightly softer flex (vs what you'd expect from an otherwise aggressive board).
Decent in trees - though would be a different story if there was more powder in there, I would imagine.
Speed
For a twin with a softer flex, it handles speed really well. Never going to be an out and out bomber for speed and did start to get a little wobbly when really opening it out, but decent enough.
Uneven Terrain
In and around bumps it performed pretty well. It's nimble enough to go around bumps and not unforgiving going over them.
Decent in crud too.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
This board was sick to jump with - small jumps, large jumps, side-hits ollies, you name it. Just wanted to ride this on jumps all day!
Pop: The Paramount possessed perhaps the perfect balance between easy to access pop and explosive pop. You could extract a really good amount of pop with very little effort. But if you wanted more, and put the effort in, there was plenty more available. There is heaps of camber in this deck, and it shows.
Approach: Actually nice and nimble so approaches to tricky side-hits was fine - but also stable on approaches to big jumps too.
Landing: Just forgiving enough for smaller jumps but super solid landing big jumps. You want to stomp your landings with this board, but when you do, boy does it feel good.
Side-hits: Great pop - with a lot of that really easy to access, felt light and easy to spin and was also nimble. Heaps of fun finding side-hits on this thing when not in the park.
Small jumps or big jumps: Really good for any jump big or small.
Switch
It's a true twin - so yeah good for switch for sure.
Spins
The Paramount felt light and poppy - and easy to get that pop going. It felt easy to spin and could handle landings off small and big tricks alike. Taking off and landing switch no issues either.
Jibbing
Not the best jibber but doable, certainly for those who are good jibbers. But yeah, not ideal.
Butters
Not that easy to butter/press. Middle of the road.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
JUMPS | 5.0 | 20/20 |
JIBBING | 3.0 | 12/20 |
SWITCH | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
BUTTERING | 3.0 | 6/10 |
SPINS | 4.5 | 9/10 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
POWDER | 2.0 | 2/5 |
CARVING/TURNS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
PIPE | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.7/100 |
Overall, the Paramount is a beast. It's poppy and lively and just super fun for any kind of jump. Definitely more of a jump/spin park board vs a buttery/jibby one, so if you're more into the jump line and want that pop and those stomping landings, then this might be the one for you.
I was very close to adding this to the aggressive all-mountain-freestyle category, and if that's the kind of board you're after, then this would also be a great choice to look at. Only reason I chose not put it in that category was because it's flex is a little softer than I would normally have in that category.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Paramount, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Paramount compares to other freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
hey! im stuck with gettting this or the doa or the maverick….
i had rome ravine and the flx was super fun for carves, not best at high speed but could dig super deep in god snow and even icy when not going super fast. but it was too big for what i wanted.
looking for a mid flex board thats fun to carve ,short tight carves or long euro carves. for spring riding, hitting side hits, riding slush, sometimes hitting jump line in the park. no rails, not powder(have a mercury for that and aggressive days) and work n spins and butters. i would be sizing down to 155 from normal 157w/159 boards.
what board/s would be best for this type of riding?
Hi Jeff
I think the Paramount could work. I found it relatively soft flexing – not super soft, but like 5/10 – but could still carve really well. Not ultra buttery, but you could certainly still butter it. I think it would suit what you’re describing well.
The DOA would certainly work for what you’re describing as well, but didn’t find it quite as good for carves as the Paramount.
The Maverick (I’m assuming you’re talking about the Endeavor Maverick?) is a little more directional – I think it could still work (I haven’t ridden it though) but I think I would still be erring the Paramount for what you’re describing and given that you’ve already go the Mercury for other things.
There could be some good options in the following:
>>My Top All-Mountain-Freestyle Snowboards
Just make sure to check the score breakdowns as some will be more suitable than others for what you’re describing – e.g. some are better at carving than others.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi, Nate
Great review! I was wondering how do u compare the paramount snowboard to the descendant ?
Also would you use Malavita or Cartel binding on the Paramount ?
I am thinking about buying 155 Paramount with cartel binding. I am 175cm(5.7) tall, 72 kg (158 lbs) and wear US size 9. I am mostly carving and hitting side-hits.
Hi Filip
Thanks for your message.
The Paramount, compared to the Descendant, is a more aggressive ride (and overall a better one, IMO, but depends on what you’re looking for). The Paramount is stiffer and is full camber (the Descendant is “purepop camber” so has flat sections before the tip and tail). So yeah, if you’re looking for a more aggressive ride, then the Paramount. If you want a mellower ride then the Descendant. The Paramount still certainly isn’t super stiff or anything. I would say 5/10 flex, so it’s got a pretty easy going flex – but the Descendant is more like 3/10 flex. For carving, I would definitely go Paramount over Descendant.
I would personally match the Paramount with Malavita – I just prefer the feel of the Malavita, particularly for freestyle stuff. The Cartel would certainly work though, and if you were going to be using the Paramount as more of an all-mountain ride, then the Cartel would be all good. But I would personally go Malavita for what you’re describing.
Size-wise, I think 155 (for either Paramount or Descendant) is probably your best bet. If you were going to be only riding park or predominantly park, then I would also consider the 152, but if you’re riding like all-mountain-freestyle kind of thing, then 155 for sure. If you’re mostly carving and side-hits, then I think 155 – the 152 would be fun for side-hits, but you’ll get more out of the 155 for carving and it will still be all good for side hits, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision.
I got the 155 Paramount and cant wait to test it. Thank you very much for the detailed answer. Have a nice day
You’re very welcome Filip. Hope it treats you well. If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on, once you’ve had a chance to get it out on snow.
I just got it on snow for first time. I combined it with cartel X bindings and the combination is very suitable. The Paramount is sick, poppy and it carves really well. I’ve tested burton process, custom, namedropper, etc but in my opinion the Paramount 2021 is the perfect board for my preferences because it can carve crazy good and has so much pop for side hits and park ride.
Hi Filip
Thanks for taking the time to follow up. Your feedback is much appreciated. Makes me want to ride the Paramount again! With the Paramount no longer around, I’ll have to settle for the Blossom (which looks fairly similar). Happy riding!
Hi Nate!
What would be the difference from the Paramount to the Yes Jackpot (21). On paper they look pretty similar. Which one is softer?
I’m riding for over 20 Years now, usually around 30 days a year, and I’ve really come to like softer (like 4-5ish) camber (directional-) twin boards.
I had the 2014 Burton Process camber and that was the sweetspot for me. Since then I tried some customs (with rocker or camber) and last years DOA. But all were too stiff for my taste. I was also missing the precsision and agility in the DOA. It just didn’t feel as lively for me.
I really enjoy going fast and carving in fall line (not so much extreme carving all over the slope), slope tricks and side hits. I’m not a huge Park rat but I really enjoy the versitillity of a true/directional twin board. That’s how I found this board and the Yes Jackpot. Or do you have another recommendation since it seems softer camber boards are really rare these days.
Hi Kurt
Thanks for your message.
They are definitely different feeling boards, but they are more similar than they are different, for sure. Some of the notable differences are that the Jackpot is a wider board overall. By waist width, they look similar, but the Jackpot is a lot wider at the inserts and contact points. That’s not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, but would depend on your specs as to which sizing would work better – and that’s probably the best tie breaker in this case between the two boards, is which size would work best.
Flex-wise, I would say they are fairly similar. I felt both at around 5/10 in terms of flex. Maybe just marginally stiffer than the Process, but softer than the Custom for sure – and softer than the DOA, IMO, too. I found the Paramount to ride a little more aggressively, a little more locked in, than the Jackpot – so that’s probably the biggest difference in terms of feel.
I would say that the Paramount is more poppy overall with the Jackpot just being slightly easier to access that pop, but they are very close, both nice and poppy.
I’d rate the Paramount just a little better on a carve, but not that much in it. The Jackpot is easier to butter, IMO.
But yeah you’re right there aren’t a lot of all camber boards that are softer. If you wanted to go softer than these boards, but still full camber you could look at the Burton Kilroy Twin. I think that would work really well.
Or something like Never Summer Proto Slinger – which isn’t full camber, but it’s camber dominant.
Or GNU Headspace (again not full camber, but camber dominant).
But I think the Paramount and Jackpot would both fit what you’re describing really well.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate!
Thank you very much for your quick helpful reply.
I think I’ll get the Jackpot with stratas this time. I’m getting a better deal on it than the Paramount and with my 9.5 shoe size the smaller 154 seems a great fit.
Thanks again!
You’re very welcome Kurt. Hope it treats you well. If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on, once you’ve had a chance to get it out on snow. Happy riding!
Hi Nate,
how would the Paramount compare to the Custom? I’m debating between the two as a complenetary board to my Custom X, which I rode most of the time last season. Sometimes I like something a little more forgiving though, I had a Capita DOA for that but it is in it’ last legs. I am quite impressed with Burtons build quality and I like the ICS/Est – system (aka I still got some Est- bindings lying around 😅) so I figured I will get another Burton as a replacement for the Capita, which I quite liked it’s a fun, really poppy deck with a nice middle of the road flex. I also have a fish for pow but haven’t ridden it yet.
I am mostly doing All mountain – freestyle riding. I love sidehits and messing around on piste with some occasional days at the park as well. I like traditional camber and a stiffer flex – well I wouldn’t want anything softer than the DOA. Is the Custom just a Paramount with some additional tech or is it really that much stiffer than the Paramount?
Hi Flo
Thanks for your message.
I would go Paramount to complement the Custom X. There is a flex difference between the Custom and the Paramount. I felt the Paramount at around a 5/10 and the Custom at more like a 6.5/10. If you didn’t want to go down to a 5/10, then you could certainly use the Custom for what you’re describing, but I think the Paramount would be the better compliment to the Custom X in your quiver.
There are some other differences between the Custom and Paramount too:
– The Paramount is a true twin, with a centered stance, whereas the Custom is a directional twin with a small setback
– They are also subtly different in the running length to effective edge ratio (the effective edge is the same size for size, but the running length is subtly shorter on the Custom) and the sidecut and overall width. They’re certainly not worlds apart on those specs, but very subtly different there.
So they’re not too different, but when you take into account the flex, shape etc, they certainly aren’t the same board either.
Hope this helps
Thx for your reply, this really helps.
I guess you are right with your recommendation. As you are describing it, the Paramount would be a better complementation to the CX. The Custom is probably something in between, so for people how don’t want to own both boards.
I still think the Custom would be the better board for me though. I’m really in love with the CX, occasionally I just would like it to be a touch softer / more forgiving but I don’t want it to be way softer – just one notch. I see that you rate the DOA as a 6 and the Custom as a 6.5 in stiffness, so the Paramount being a 5 would probably be a bit soft for my liking. Well at least if I take into account that you rate the CX as a 9 – which I would disagree with, I would rate the CX as a 7.5 – 8. I would also rate the DOA more like a 5 though, so take that for what it’s worth 😉
I would like something similar to my DOA – in terms of stiffness as a replacement. I think the DOA is soft enough for me. I have the 155 midwide version which probably even adds a bit to the stiffness / stable feel versus the regular width model. I currently have a 156 CX which has to be replaced soon though. I bought a CX 158 on preseason sale and plan on getting a 156 or 154 Custom so this will make it easier to ride as well. I also like the fact that they share the exact same mold – yes this is kind of boring to have multiple boards that are pretty similar but I don’t have to readjust as much every time I ride one or the other.
The Paramount still does sound really interesting though and I would love to try it – especially because everyone describes it as being very poppy – something I miss a little bit in my Custom X. The DOA is probably the poppiest board I have ridden.
I guess I’ll just watch out for deals on both and buy the one which I spot on a good discount first.
Thx again.
Hi Flo
I can see your point in terms of not wanting to go too much softer, and also having the same shape, so you’re not having to adjust too much there – just getting that softer, more forgiving ride out of it. Also in terms of sizing, if you’re going smaller in the Custom versus the Custom X, then that will also add the difference and make the Custom feel another notch softer, easier going.
If you think of it at the time, I would be interested to know what you end up going with and how you get on.
Happy holidays, happy riding!
Hi Nate!
How does this compare to the 2021 Yes. Jackpot 158? I read that the Jackpot may do better with butters and be a bit more forgiving. Your thoughts?
Hi Emine
Thanks for your message.
I would agree that the Jackpot is a little more forgiving. Not by heaps but a little. And certainly better with butters, IMO. I would say 3/5 for butters on this versus 4/5 for butters on the Jackpot.
Hope this helps