Below are all the 2018 YES snowboards categorized by snowboard type.
The 2018 season sees all the YES boards from 2017 return to the line up, except for the YES Public – and there is one new board in the line up – the YES Libre.
Beginner Boards
All of the boards in the beginner category below have also been classified elsewhere. Typically, a board that is suitable for a beginner is also suitable for another style of riding as well.
Men’s
- YES Basic – see review |Top Beginner Board
- YES Typo
- YES Libre
Women’s
- YES Emoticon
Jib/Street YES Boards
Men’s
The Public was the only board that really fit in this category from YES but that is no longer in the line for 2018 so there isn’t anything that I would put in this category from YES anymore.
Freestyle/Park YES Boards
Men’s
- YES Jackpot – Top 10 Freestyle Board
All-Mountain-Freestyle YES Boards
Men’s
- YES The Greats Uninc – Top 5 All-Mountain-Freestyle Board
- YES Basic
Women’s
- YES Emoticon – Top 5 Women’s All-Mountain-Freestyle Board
Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle YES Boards
Men’s
- YES TDF
All-Mountain YES Boards
- YES Standard – See Full Review | Top 10 All Mountain Board
- YES Typo – Top 10 All Mountain Board
- YES Libre
Aggressive All-Mountain YES Boards
Men’s
- YES Pick Your Line
Women’s
- YES Hel Yes
Freeride YES Boards
Men’s
- YES Pick Your Line see review | Top 5 Freeride Board
- YES Optimistic
Women’s
- YES Hel Yes – Top 5 Women’s Freeride Board
Powder YES Boards
Men’s
- YES Optimistic
- YES 2020 (short/wide Twin powder board)
- YES 420 (short/wide Tapered Directional powder board)
- YES 420 Powder Hull (short/wide Tapered Directional powder board)
Kid’s Boards
- YES Fun Inc (comes in 127, 133 & 138)
Thanks for Reading
I hope this has given you some perspective on the YES line of snowboards for 2018.
As was the case for the 2017 models, all of the 2018 models that I rode really impressed me. This is one of those companies that’s still relatively new (founded 2009) but have already reached a level that makes them one of the top brands in the industry.
And they seem to be still constantly improving and tweaking things to make their boards even better – and 2018 is no exception to that.
Hi Nate,
I’m wondering what you’re opinion on the YES basic is as a snowboard for an intermediate snowboarder, someone who loves riding all mountain. I know there is a review here already but it is reviewed as a beginner board, just wondering what your opinion is of it as a board for someone whos not a beginner.
Thanks
Hi Dominic
I would say that the Basic is a good board for an intermediate rider as well as for a beginner. I would categorize it as an all-mountain-freestyle board. So it’s quite versatile in what it can do. Probably it’s biggest weakness is going to be in powder. That’s not to say that you can’t ride it in powder – just that it’s going to be harder work keeping the nose afloat than with some other types of boards.
Also, to keep in mind that it’s not that stiff, so in terms of stability at speed, there is a limit there with how fast you can ride it without it starting to feel a little shaky. But it does have quite a stable feel underfoot, so even though it’s not that stiff, you can still ride at reasonable speeds. Just not going to be a bomber. It’s good in the park and for flat land tricks on the groomers too, so if you’re into that kind of thing, it can do that too.
It’s not an aggressive carver, but it’s nice for standard turns and has a stable but still easy going personality.
This is how i rate it:
Switch: 4.5/5
Jumps: 4/5
Jibbing (boxes, rails etc): 4/5
Carving: 3/5
Powder: 2.5/5
Speed: 2.5/5
Uneven Terrain: 4/5
Hope this helps
Im looking at the Yes typo, Burton Free Thinker, or the Burton Deep thinker. This board will be my resort/groomer/pipe/small to med park jump board. I really like to carve and not skid all my turns. Could you give me your advice on the three boards I listed?
I already have a pow specific board so this is not a concern of mine.
Hi Heath
Out of those boards, the only one I haven’t ridden is the deep thinker – but based on the specs of that board, I would probably cross that off the list first. Just because it’s more of a freeride board, which is going to be closer to your pow specific board. Since you already have a board for the powder, you can sacrifice a little powder performance for a step up in other qualities.
The Typo would be a good option and would be more of an all-rounder than the Free Thinker, IMO. It’s pretty across the board with maybe speed and powder being it’s biggest weaknesses but even then it’s not too bad. It’s a good board for the pipe, IMO – though I haven’t taken it in the pipe, it does have good edge-hold in hard conditions and whilst it’s not true twin it’s pretty close (directional twin) and it’s setback but only very slightly (5mm). Overall it’s a pretty mellow board, with a playful-ish feel.
The Freethinker on the other hand is a more aggressive ride. It’s a true twin (asymmetrical twin to be precise) with a centered stance and with a more aggressive camber profile (traditional camber). I would say it’s got the Typo on the jumps, just a bit more poppy. It’s going to be worse than the Typo for powder (though that’s probably fine for your purposes) and on jibs. But it’s a better carver and slightly better at speed than the Typo. The Typo does have better edge-hold in harder/icy conditions, IMO, but everything else about the Free Thinker makes it a great board for the pipe.
The Free Thinker will be better for carving but the Typo will be more forgiving when/if you do skid some of your turns (as most of us do at least sometimes).
Overall, I would say that the Free Thinker would be the best option for you, just because it’s got it in terms of carving, speed and jumps, which sound like important areas for you. The Typo would be better if you wanted something a little better in powder and on jibs – but if you don’t plan to hit jibs and you have a pow specific board, that’s not too much of an issue. The only other thing is that if you would prefer something a little more playful or if you like to have at least some rocker sections in your camber profile, then the Typo might be the better option.
Hope this gives you more info to go off for your decision