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Bataleon Magic Carpet 2020-2021 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £500
  • Category: Park/Jib, All-Mountain, Freeride/Powder
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 151, 154, 156, 159
  • Flex: 5/10
  • Shape: True Twin
  • Profile: 3BT Camber
  • Base: Extruded
  • BUY DIRECT FROM BATALEON

The Magic Carpet is Bataleon’s antidote against the vociferations of mouth breathing troglodytes who continue to swear by the necessity that “a SnOwBoArD sHouLd CoMe Up tO yOuR nOsE aNd YoU CaN’t RiDe A tRuE tWiN In PoWdEr!” This might be the most underrated and misunderstood snowboard in Bataleon’s line – the ultimate resort powder deck.

The not-so-secret weapon here is Triple Base Technology. The Magic Carpet features a unique powder-specific variation of their three-step profile in the nose and tail. With only a narrow section of centre base, the main attraction is the long, uplifted sidebases that allow the snowboard to effortlessly plane along the snow’s surface.

“This is a snowboard with freestyle running through its veins, but it’s those epic resort powder days that really get its heart beating”

Combined with a wider than average waist width, the surface area of the Magic Carpet matches up to some of Bataleon’s bigger, directional chargers, but does so in a way that keeps the outline twin and the swing weight perfectly matched.

Spinning and chucking the board about is made easier this year with a lighter wood core, too. This is a snowboard with freestyle running through its veins, but it’s those epic resort powder days that really get its heart beating.

Where some volume shifted snowboards rely purely on a shape that works in powder, the Magic Carpet maintains a scrupulous eye for detail in its construction. Carbon stringers run from the inserts out to the nose and tail give the board a really balanced pop – be it regular or switch, and off pillows or sidehits – while the hollow carbon tubes that are milled into the sidewall give the camber a little more rebound.

Most snowboards fit neatly into one of three categories: freestyle, all-mountain, and freeride. The Magic Carpet technically ticks all three of these boxes, yet trying to stick a label on it feels like a disservice to what’s really on offer here. This is Bataleon’s rule-breaker, their curveball, their anomaly. It’s straight-up powder fueled, freestyle frenzied stoke that redefines what a resort snowboard can – and should – be.

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Alex CheshireThe Snowboard Asylum

“3BT is like Ariana Grande. On paper, there is a lot to like but the reality is just annoying. 3BT has a lot of positives. More float in POW, a catch-free park experience, and smooth transition from edge to edge but it always feels washy to me on piste.

The Magic Carpet is a freestyle twin powder board! That, right there, is unusual enough to get me interested. I’ve actually loved this board since it was called the “prototype”. With its mid-flex and sweet pop anyone can ride this anywhere. I’d take this through the park, pop off the side or just butter the groomers all day long.

“The wide platform and spoon at each end give more float than you will ever need”

It really shines in the powder though. The wide platform and spoon at each end give more float than you will ever need. This board will suit anyone looking for a one board quiver with a powder bias. It hasn’t changed my mind on 3BT but I’m coming round to the idea.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Darren Williamsthesnowboardshop.co.uk/

“It’s one of those days when you look out the window and it’s dumped a foot fresh overnight and you get super excited but it’s tinged with the dilemma of what board to take out. You want to take a powder board out, but you know a few runs in you’re gonna want to launch off into the powder and land switch – and your normal pow board, with its long nose and short tail is not gonna help.

“In wet snow, it basically felt like I forgot to take the handbrake off”

That’s when you want the Magic Carpet, a twin powder stick with a slightly wider waist that floats super well and allows you to downsize a little so it’s mega fun in the trees.

In wet snow (and it was literally raining) the Magic Carpet was not my friend. I guess it’s because the nose is such a spoon shape that the claggy snow had more base to cling onto, making the MC super slow and sticky. It basically felt like I forgot to take the handbrake off.

That said, on the flip side when the pow was fresh I had one of the best days shredding last season. (lesson to be learnt – stay at home when it rains).”

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