- Price: £350 / $400
- Category: All-Mountain, Freeride/Powder
- Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
- Size: 144, 148, 151, 154, 157
- Flex: 4/10
- Shape: Directional
- Profile: 3BT Camber
- Base: Extruded
- BUY DIRECT FROM BATALEON
This year, Bataleon’s Party Wave + snowboard deservedly claimed a spot on our 100 shortlist. Don’t let that take away from the popularity of the original, though. The Party Wave was Bataleon’s first short ’n’ fat all-mountain freeride fun wagon and still remains one of the most affordable snowboards on the market.
That’s down to its brilliantly simple construction. All bells and whistles have been stripped back to a simple yet strong wood core, a torsionally forgiving bi-ax fibreglass laminate and an extruded base. There’s no pricey additives, nor does there need to be. The Party Wave is snowboarding stripped back to its essence and proof that simple things done well are often the best.
“Many experimental snowboard shapes come with big price tags and small windows of opportunity to ride them. The Party Wave completely flips the logic: spend less and ride more!”
It’s the shape and profile that create the magic. A mellow camber is top and tailed by an oversized spoon-like nose and a flatter, cut out tail. It’s undoubtedly directional – and the volume shift allows the Party Wave to be ridden 5-10cm shorter than your average powder deck – but Bataleon’s 3BT uplift in the sidebases raise the contact points and make it versatile enough to ride across the whole resort.
Granted, a board this short and wide isn’t going to be the most agile from edge to edge and it might feel a bit like a Surf Log compared to more conventional shapes. That said, the extra waist width makes it primed for eurocarving and once you score powder you’ll be too busy blasting through the white room to worry about going left or right.
Then there’s the price. Many experimental snowboard shapes come with big price tags and small windows of opportunity to ride them. The Party Wave completely flips the logic: spend less and ride more! You’ll find very few snowboards at £350 that deliver this much fun in this many conditions. With two new sizes added to the line for 2021, everyone’s invited to the party!
