Curated Snowboarding Expert Arielle Busch got her hands on the 2024 Bataleon ThunderStorm this spring. Check out how it performed in the carving, freestyle, and freeride categories, but consider the fact that each and every rider is different; if you have any questions about the Bataleon ThunderStorm or need recommendations on which board would be best for you, reach out to a Snowboarding Expert here on Curated.

Before we get started, it's worth noting that Curated Experts are not sponsored by any brands. All of these reviews are completely unbiased.

Brand Claims

What does Bataleon claim about this board? [Arielle] Bataleon claims that the ThunderStorm is built for high-energy resort riding and turbo-charged power descents. It's a directional ride that has no problem going switch, and it is a true hybrid 3D freeride board that can still do freestyle with ease. This is a unisex board that can be ridden by all different types of riders and comes in a wide range of sizes.

Overall Impressions

What is your overall impression of this board? [Arielle] My overall impression of this board was that it was a true blast to ride. I love unisex boards. I love that this is the direction that the market is going. And I think this one is so, so cool because it took the male Thunder and the female Storm, put them together, and created the ThunderStorm to make a unisex, genderless ride. The flex on this thing is on the stiffer side, but that is what I felt helped with the control of this board. This is an aggressive board, it’s a charger, it’s beefy.

Carving

How does it turn? [Arielle] This board definitely gets on edge and wants to carve. The camber in this board gave it that controlled, precise feeling. I felt locked in on all of my turns. There's a lot of control and precision in this board.

What is the edge hold like? [Arielle] The edge hold is definitely tight. There was no slipping. I did ride it in a 148 and I normally ride about a 144 to 146 range. With my tiny boot size, I had a hard time getting all the way on edge because this board did have a little bit of width to it in that 148. That's just to say that if you are in between two sizes, if you happen to have a smaller boot size, just keep that in mind. Whereas if you're in between two sizes but you do have a larger foot, then you'll probably be okay. I'm more talking about my lady riders that are going to be riding this in smaller sizes and do have that smaller foot where width is a thing. I wasn't able to get it all the way on edge, but does it mean this thing doesn't want to carve? I would say this board is a carving, charging, beefy beast. It really wants to dominate the entire mountain.

How damp is the board? Do you feel any underfoot chatter? [Arielle] In the uneven terrain, I did feel I felt like it cut through. However, when it got a little choppy, it was a little chatty.

How does it perform at speed? [Arielle] It feels like you're driving a speed boat down the hill because this board does want to charge and go fast. I will say, though, this board will ride its rider if the rider does not ride this board. So you definitely need to have some skills. You need to be technical.

Freestyle

How is it for freestyle snowboarding? [Arielle] This would not be my park board.

Could you speak about playfulness and pop? [Arielle] It did have some pop to it, but it wasn't the poppiest.

Is it good for riding switch? [Arielle] I was able to ride switch on it, even though it is not a true twin.

How is it for buttering? [Arielle] I was able to press a little bit and butter. So it's not like you're riding a plank of wood. It definitely has some playfulness to it.

How is it on jumps? [Arielle] This board was able to launch over some of the rollers that I went over.

Freeride

How is it for freeride snowboarding? [Arielle] For me, this was a little bit more of that technical, aggressive, hard-charging, mountain-dominator-type snowboard. I would put this in my quiver as a powder, all-mountain board, or a little bit like a freeride, all-mountain board.

How is it in powder? [Arielle] This is a great board for rocking on a powder day. It has Bataleon’s 3BT technology, which is going to float like a champ in the powder—something I got to experience today.

How is it in uneven terrain and chunder? [Arielle] In the uneven terrain, I did feel like it cut through, but once it got a little choppy, I found it to be a little chattery. It was an interesting feeling of feeling in control, but with a little bit of chatter. So it's not necessarily a deal breaker, but it is something that could happen if you get on this board.

What terrain is this board good for? [Arielle] I would say this board is a carving, charging, beefy beast. It really wants to dominate the entire mountain and is great for use all over the mountain.

Recommendations

Who would you recommend this board to? [Arielle] This board is for a higher-intermediate to advanced rider. Anyone can ride this board, regardless of gender, and that's really cool.

Who should avoid this board, there are other better options out there for them? [Arielle] This is not a board for a beginner by any means. This board is phenomenal for someone who wants to take their riding to the next level in a more technical way on steeper terrains. If you are not ready to put some effort into a snowboard, I would not recommend this board. My biggest piece of advice is that you have to be ready to ride this board, otherwise it will take you over.

Snowboards work differently for different types of riders. If you want help finding the right board for you, reach out to Arielle or any other Snowboarding Expert here on Curated for free, personalized recommendations on the best board for you.