The 2025 Ride Moderator with Rossignol Battle Bindings is a versatile all-mountain setup designed to be accessible and forgiving. It features a shape and profile similar to the Deep Fake but with a softer, more flexible design. This makes the Moderator highly maneuverable through tight trees and moguls while maintaining stability and edge hold with its full camber profile. It's a blast to ride, whether you're slashing through crud or transitioning smoothly from edge to edge. [binding K overview]

Why we like it:

The Moderator excels in fun and playfulness, largely due to its well-thought-out shaping. Its tapered design enhances float in deeper snow and facilitates easy edge-to-edge transitions. Whether you're carving on icy groomers or navigating through slushy conditions, this board performs exceptionally well.

Who it's for:

The Moderator is an excellent choice for riders ranging from progressing beginners to more advanced enthusiasts. It offers a playful ride that doesn't require excessive effort to control, making it ideal for those who just want to enjoy their time on the mountain.

Highlights:

The board strikes a balance between stability and maneuverability. Carbon beneath the mounting points and full-length carbon stringers from tip to tail provide added stability and edge hold while maintaining a moderate flex. The shape, combined with tip rocker, makes turn initiation and edge transitions effortless, which is advantageous in tight tree runs. Impact plates under the binding mounts offer vibration dampening and shock absorption, which is useful for big airs and riding through rough, chopped-up snow. The One Shot Strap on the Battle bindings provide exceptional stability both laterally and vertically transferring energy quicker and more efficiently. EVA footbeds help reduce chatter to create a smoother, damper ride in any conditions. The Mainframe Highbacks have a rigid center frame with softer sides to give you the best combination of stability and comfort without sacrificing weight.

Things to consider:

While the Moderator is approachable for many riders, it does have its limits. Heavier or more aggressive riders might find it lacking in stiffness and stability at higher speeds. The full camber profile can make edge catches more likely, so if you’re new to snowboarding and prefer a surfier, catch-free ride, other options might be better.

Fit & sizing considerations:

The Moderator tends to feel shorter than its listed length due to its shape. If you're seeking more stability at higher speeds, sizing up could be beneficial.