The Magnetraction down the edges allows it to perform better than most when the conditions are less than perfect and it’s able to bite into those sketchy icy patches. The wavy edge profiles keep the surface area large and the serrations make mincemeat of the cruddy patches that are the bane of all of our lives.

“The Magnetraction down the edges allows it to perform better than most when the conditions are less than perfect”

The Müllair uses Mervin’s C3 profile, which is their most cambered option. It has a super mild rocker in between the feet to add a little extra float in powder, and aggressive cambers either side of the feet to add power and drive. The camber down to the contact points makes it more stable on piste, and will be nicer for big carves and keep it solid when you’re hooning it down a groomer.

It’s a little stiffer than some boards but nothing unmanageable. It’s definitely aimed at a more advanced rider who wants to rip shit up no matter the conditions.

“We’re all familiar with how hard Nico sends it, but though the Müllair is certainly powerful and direct it’s not as stiff and demanding as you might think. It’s certainly for more advanced riders, though, and felt like it had a tight sidecut that made it turn quick with great edge hold.

“The Müllair is certainly powerful and direct, but it’s not as stiff and demanding as you might think”

The trade-off for being able to hack and react like Müller is it can feel a little twitchy if you’re not carving every turn. The nose felt floaty through the crud so I’d imagine it would cruise perfectly through pow, and there was certainly plenty of pop in the tail. Lightweight and lively, this would be a great choice for more experienced all-mountain riders.”

“When you’re testing Mϋller’s board, there are certain conditions you want to try it out in. Namely, powder – either deep and steep, or mellow with plenty of playful hits. Not wind-blasted, rained on ice, which is what greeted us at the top of the bubble in La Clusaz last January.

But that’s OK; I’ve ridden the previous year’s model in pow and loved it, so I probably deserved this, but upon dropping in I was pleasantly surprised. The Magne-Traction didn’t ‘turn ice into powder’ like they claim, but the thing held an edge really, really well given the conditions, mainly due to the profile. Rockered boards are turd on ice, so it’s good that Mervin’s ‘mild rocker with camber underfoot’ actually comes out more like camber – they seemingly just have to keep chatting about bananas to keep up appearances.

“I’m actually glad I got to take it for a spin in shithouse conditions. It’s good to know that this kind of money gets you this kind of performance”

Anyway, the Müllair is fast, nimble and inspires playtime on even the grimmest of cat tracks. Buttery and poppable, it’s everything you’d want from a €600 powder board, because let’s face it: that is a lot of money. For that cash, I don’t want something to sit around and gather dust waiting for the next storm, I want to be able to take it up in all conditions and have it perform, and that’s exactly what Nico’s flagship does.

If I was going to criticise, I’d say it’s a touch thicker that it could be, but that goes for most boards made in America – I think they call it ‘quality construction’ – but that aside I’m actually glad I got to take it for a spin in shithouse conditions. It’s good to know that this kind of money gets you this kind of performance.”

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