Curated Snowboarding Expert Everett Pelkey got his hands on the 2024 Bataleon Whatever snowboard 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 Whatever 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? [Everett] The brand claims that the Bataleon Whatever is a board that can do it all. They call it the “Whatever” because it can literally do whatever it wants.

Overall Impressions

What is your overall impression of this board? [Everett] I’ve been wanting to ride this board for years now. I love the directional shape and the soft flex. It suits my way of riding, which is freestyle all over the mountain. I want a one-board quiver that can do it all but is softer and more playful. That’s where this Whatever sweet spot really rides.

Carving

How does it turn? [Everett] Carving on this board is not a strong suit, but that doesn’t mean it can’t do it. You can still get on your edges. You can still rip turns and play around on it. What is the edge hold like? [Everett] It has a soft enough flex and a Triple Base Technology. Its mellow contour will make it a forgiving ride, so you won’t feel like you’re edge-catching everywhere you go.

Freestyle

How is it for freestyle snowboarding? [Everett] This is a fun board to do what you want on it. You want to go hit the park and you want to go jib some rails, you can do it. You can press this thing all day.

Could you speak about playfulness and pop? [Everett] I’m not going to say it’s going to be the most ideal candidate for really holding in on icier conditions, but for someone who wants to play around mellower hills — like I’m out here in western New York, and I was still able to play around in all my home resorts and have a blast on any of the terrain that’s here for. This is an amazing East Coast riding board.

Is it good for riding switch? [Everett] It has a directional shape, but with the contact points running through it, it's going to be a true twin feel.

How is it on jumps? [Everett] If you want to hit a jump, you can do it with this board.

Freeride

How is it for freeride snowboarding? [Everett] It’s just literally whatever. You want to hit this, you want to hit that, you want to hit a rail, you want to hit a jump, but then you want to go ride the highest chairlift at your home resort, you can do it. This is literally the whatever chill board that is going to make your day super fun.

How is it in powder? [Everett] You can really float if you get an extra pow day. If you're going to go find a few powder days, that directional shape is going to come in handy.

How is it riding in the trees? How is its maneuverability? [Everett] If you want to go fly through the trees, you can cut right through everything.

What terrain is this board good for? [Everett] If you’re trying to explore the entire mountain and want to hit some steeper terrain, this still can do it. It’s not going to be the most stable board out there, and you’re not going to be, you know, doing triple blacks, launching cliffs, you know, get real ridiculous with it. But if you want a good resort board that is a one-board quiver, the Bataleon Whatever does it.

Recommendations

Who would you recommend this board to? [Everett] I recommend this board to a mellow, more laid-back rider who wants to have fun and come up with ideas on the fly.

Who should avoid this board, are there other better options out there for them? [Everett] I wouldn't recommend this for the aggressive free rider.

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