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Snowboards

Borealis Taiga 2021-2022 Snowboard Review

  • Price: €489
  • Category: Park + Jib
  • Sizes: 155, 157, 159W
  • Flex: 4.5/10
  • Shape: True Twin
  • Profile: Rocker
  • 3D: No
  • Base: Sintered

Borealis have traditionally made snowboards that cater more to the freeride side of things, focusing on chasing ball-shrinkingly big lines and tackling gnarly spines and chutes. They decided to shake things up a bit last season, going back to the drawing board to come out with their first ever pure park board.
With powder cannons like the Marauder and the Leviathan as their bread and butter, it’s obvious that jib lines and urban antics might not be their usual fare, but they’ve certainly managed to pull it off with this playful package.

“On paper, the Taiga has all the hallmarks of a classic park snowboard”

MORE INFO:
BOREALIS-SNOWBOARDS.COM

Who Is The Borealis Taiga For?

Riders looking for a no holds barred freestyle machine, that still has the chops the perform in the deep snow

Shape, Profile and Sidecut

On paper, the Taiga has all the hallmarks of a classic park snowboard. The true twin shape, playful rockered tips, and lightweight construction earmark it as one that wants to spend the majority of its time between the park ropes.

While it might seem similar to its brand-mate the Tundra, the softer flex and flat profile of the Taiga mark it out as something more suited to riding playful, jibby freestyle. A flat rocker profile is one of the most forgiving on the market, allowing you to dial in new tricks without the fear of the dreaded scorpion, and allowing for some float in the deeper snow. However, this does mean it’s a little looser and less stable at speed, especially on the hardpack.

“The true twin shape, playful rockered tips, and lightweight construction earmark it as one that wants to spend the majority of its time between the park ropes”

Construction and Materials

While some of the features may read as standard for a park deck, the construction makes sure it’s not your run of the mill board. Borealis have a few tricks up their sleeve to supercharge the Taiga, whilst still somehow keeping the price relatively low.

Their bamboo topsheets give Borealis boards a distinctive look, whilst still bringing the heat with its performance. Bamboo has one of the highest tensile strengths of any wood and is also one of the fastest growing plants in the world. This makes it not only an excellent choice of material in a snowboard to boost the snap and pop, but it’s also a more sustainable method of production. With a bamboo topsheet and stringers running through the length, the Taiga cuts the use of plastic by a whopping 40% and leaves the board poppy as all hell.

A carbon kevlar blend sits atop specific zones in the core to boost the performance, with the biax fibreglass weave allow for an easier going torsional flex for a more playful ride. The rugged construction is topped off with a high-end sintered base and bombproof ABS sidewalls.

“Playful, forgiving and precise when you want to push it, from beginner all the way up to pro level, you’ll find something to enjoy here.

Roundup

Freestyle may not be their raison d’etre, but Borealis have sure as hell made it work with the Taiga. Playful, forgiving and precise when you want to push it, from beginner all the way up to pro level, you’ll find something to enjoy here.

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