Share

Snowboards

Bataleon Magic Carpet 2021-2022 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £520 / €600 / $600
  • Category: Freeride + Powder
  • Sizes: 151, 154, 156, 159
  • Flex: 5/10
  • Shape: True Twin
  • Profile: Camber
  • 3D: Yes
  • Base: Extruded
MORE INFO:
BATALEON.COM

Powder boards have been exploding in a variety of eye-catching shapes over the past few years, but most of them tend to be directional in the extreme in order to help sink the back. Bataleon’s Magic Carpet is a more freestyle-focused alternative, a true twin with a hull-like nose and tail that makes it float like crazy – any which way you care to ride. That switch powder landing you’ve been too scared to try? It’s suddenly very, very doable.

“That switch powder landing you’ve been too scared to try? It’s suddenly very, very doable”

Who Is The Bataleon Magic Carpet For?

People who love getting creative, and see powder days as the perfect opportunity to chuck spins off natural features, butter like crazy and dial in new tricks on a softer landing.

Shape, Profile and Sidecut

As mentioned above, the Magic Carpet is a true twin outline, offering identical flex and riding performance in either direction. It differs from most twins in that the nose and tail are pretty long and pointy rather than blunt. This gives the board more lift in deep snow.

It also features Pow 3BT – the most aggressive version of Bataleon’s Triple Base Technology. As you move from the inserts towards the nose and tail, the sides of the board are steeply upturned, including an accelerated scoop at the widepoints known as SideKick. The central part of the base in these 3D zones is quite narrow, so the overall effect is to transform the board into a kind of boat that can glide effortlessly over powder, smash through chop and lean naturally into banks.

Despite being quite a wide model (again, to increase surface area) edge changes are rapid, since there’s less flat base to roll across. That makes it a bit less stable on ice and hardpack, but since this board’s natural element lies outside the ropes, you’re probably not going to be too fussed about that.

Looked at from the side, the Magic Carpet has traditional camber, so it’s pre-loaded with ollie power and feels engaged in the turn.

“Despite being quite a wide model (again, to increase surface area) edge changes are rapid, since there’s less flat base to roll across”

Construction and Materials

The Magic Carpet’s core is just one notch down from Bataleon’s most exclusive offering. It’s made from 70-percent paulownia and 30-percent poplar, so we’re talking very lightweight indeed. Two carbon tubes have been milled into it between the inserts, one on each side, to reinforce the camber profile, boosting power and edge hold.

The topsheet is made from triax laminate, with more carbon fibre introduced at the nose and tail. All that helps eliminate chatter at higher speeds and stiffen the deck some, although it’s not actually a particularly stiff board overall. Essentially, intermediates and above will find it friendly enough.

Given the premium materials elsewhere it’s a little surprising to find the Magic Carpet only features an extruded base, even if this one claims to be the densest such P-tex on the market. On the plus side, you don’t have to wax it as often to maintain performance, and it’s easier to repair should you strike any rocks in the backcountry.

“Two carbon tubes have been milled into it between the inserts, one on each side, to reinforce the camber profile, boosting power and edge hold”

Roundup

The Magic Carpet is one of those boards that, if you’re lucky enough to have one, can make the best days even better. Chances are it won’t be your everyday ride – and for pure soul-surfing turns, a directional powder board is still your best bet – but with so much float on tap in either direction, the creative potential in natural terrain feels limitless.

Share

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production