Hello and welcome to my YES Dicey review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Dicey as a freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Dicey a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freestyle snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: YES Dicey
Price: $469
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Rating Score: 85.3/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Boards
Out of the 36 men’s freestyle snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Dicey’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Dicey’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $469 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Camber YES's "CamRock 2-4-2" |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Extruded |
Weight: | Felt very slightly lighter than normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
152 | 250 | 110-150 | 50-68 |
154 | 252 | 120-160 | 54-72 |
156 | 254 | 140-190 | 63-86 |
158 | 256 | 150-200 | 68-91 |
Who is the Dicey Best Suited To?
The Dicey is a great option for those looking for a reasonably priced board for riding the park or treating the rest of the mountain like a park.
It's for those looking for a snappy, light, easy going yet more powerful than you'd think, buttery, spinny, lively ride, that doesn't break the bank.
Not quite for beginners, but fine for low intermediate and up.
The Dicey in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Dicey is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: YES Dicey 2021, 156cm (254mm waist width)
Date: March 5, 2020
Conditions: Rather windy, especially at first and that wind was super cold. -1°C (30.2°F) and -8°C (17.6°F) with wind.
No fresh snow, initially but off groomer was still OK. Medium. Then it started snowing half way through testing.
On groomer quite hard for the most part without being icy. But also medium in places.
Overcast but vis pretty good. It was high clouds. 90% vis.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 585mm (23″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 271mm (10.67")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Salomon Lo-Fi
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2860grams (6lb 5oz)
Weight per cm: 18.33 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.36 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of around 80 boards that I've weighed in 2019, 2020 & 2021 models. So, bang on average for actual weight but felt a little lighter than average on snow.
Damp or Chattery?
Just on chattery side but very close to the middle of the scale.
Smooth or Snappy?
Snappy for sure!
Powder
It had started snowing while I was testing the Dicey, but not enough had accumulated to test it in pow. But based on specs, I think it's just slightly better than the average twin centered board. It's got rocker in the tip and tail and it has a slightly wider than average base for more surface area. Not a powder hound by any means though.
Carving & Turning
Carving: For what it is it lays down a pretty good carve. Not ultra aggressive or a carving machine, but pretty decent laying down a carve for the flex.
Turning: Felt comfortable (and excited) turning on this board right away. Very snappy and lively with minimal effort.
Maneuverability at Slow Speeds: Really nimble at slow speeds. Super fun to slow down and play around on and fun weaving through trees too.
Skidded Turns: Nice and easy. Not beginner easy but still pretty easy.
Speed
Not amazing, not a bomber as such, but not bad either. A little better than it's flex feel would suggest.
Uneven Terrain
It's snappy and nimble for weaving between bumps and it's easy to correct if you get thrown around a bit by crud. You do feel the chatter a bit but otherwise it works well around bumps over bumps and through crud.
Jumps
Really nice and poppy and just super fun overall.
Pop: Nice and poppy and that pop is super easy to access.
Approach: Stable enough and nice and nimble
Landing: Solid for landings but with just the right amount of forgivness too.
Side-hits: Super fun - nice and nimble and just that nice easy pop
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Equally as good for small and medium - you can get a lot of snap off those and just approach, pop and landings work really well. Not quite as good for larger jumps but certainly doable.
Switch
Awesome for riding switch.
Spins
Really good - easy to get the spin around. Felt light and snappy and great for landing and setting up switch.
Jibbing
Good on jibs too. I'm not a strong jibber by any means, but I was comfortable hitting them with my limited repertoire.
Butters
Nice and easy to butter and with good spring off the tip and tail.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
JUMPS | 4.0 | 16/20 |
JIBBING | 3.5 | 14/20 |
SPINS | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
SWITCH | 4.5 | 9/10 |
BUTTERING | 4.5 | 9/10 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
POWDER | 3.0 | 3/5 |
SPEED | 3.0 | 3/5 |
CARVING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.3/100 |
For a board of this price, you should be expecting less than what you get. In terms of bang for buck, this board is right up there. But this review and score doesn't take price into account so it's all of this regardless of price.
It does have an extruded base and that's probably a large reason why it's priced so well, so if you can live with an extruded base for the kind of freestyle performance you get out of this board, then it's an amazing buy, IMO.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Dicey, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Dicey compares to other freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hi Nate,
Thanks for your tests, I always read your reviews before buying any snowboard related stuff.
I ride for a while now and had several boards, most of them more on the freeride side, but also some experiments with freestyle boards.
I currently mainly enjoy a mega merc 158W which is amazing for speed and carving.
I’d like to get another board, more playful and relax (mainly more relax, as you can get a lot of fun with the mega merc).
I’m 1m84, 76 kgs and 11,5 US (29.5 mondo).
I’m considering three boards to come in addition to the mega merc:
– Yes Dicey
– Yes Jackpot
– Bataleon Fun.kink
I feel the jackpot 156 would be my best bet, as it is really freestyle oriented by still get some versatility to take a little speed and turn.
Looks like the Fun.kink is quite closed from the Jackpot, but may be to narrow for my 11.5 boots.
Finally, the Dicey looks more complementary to the mega merc, as it is even more park oriented, but I really wonder about the camrock and softer flex.
What do you think?
Thanks a lot for your advices,
Nicolas
Hi Nicolas
Thanks for your message.
I agree that the Dicey would be the biggest contrast to the Mega Merc, but the Jackpot would be enough different to the Mega Merc that it would still work well as a compliment to it in your quiver. So, if you don’t want to go too soft, then you don’t have to. The Mega Merc essentially has camrock, so I wouldn’t be too worried about that. But if you wanted full camber, then yeah the Jackpot would be the way to go.
The Fun Kink isn’t super similar to the Jackpot. Whilst I haven’t ridden the Fun Kink yet, Bataleon’s camber feels quite different to traditional camber, because of the 3BT. And the Fun Kink looks to be softer than the Jackpot – more like the Dicey’s flex. And yeah, the shortest size of the Fun Kink that would be wide enough for you would be the 159W and since you’re looking for a more relaxed board than the Mega Merc, you’ll probably want to size it a bit shorter than that.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Hi Nate. Thanks for your answer! I got the jackpot 156. Looks like the best trade off for me. You’re right, the mega has camrock but I forget it as soon as I ride considering its stability and precision. I only knew regular camber except my new Capita and don’t feel anything strange. I can’t wait to try the Jackpot… time will be long before next season!
You’re very welcome Nicolas. Hope the Jackpot treats you well. If you think about it at the time, let me know how you get on, once you’ve had a chance to ride it.
Hey Nate,
I am 5’9″ 180-190 (weigh fluctuates with the holidays) with size 10 boots. I am looking for a board to start getting into buttering and side hits, maybe even small/mid jumps (no park). Also, something to ride on icy days as well, which has lead me to the Basic and Dicey. It won’t be a used for powder as I already have another board for that.
What would you recommend? I was leaning towards the Dicey based on your review and preferably would like it on the smallest size that can be playful without being stuck in deeper snow.
Thank you
Hi Pete
Thanks for your message.
Both would work well for what you’re wanting them for. The Basic, I would say, would be the slightly easier to get going with, but overall the Dicey the better option, IMO.
For the Dicey, I would go 154. I would put your “standard all-mountain length” closer to 159, but given you want it for predominantly riding freestyle and also given it’s a wider board (wider than the waist would suggest), then I would size down. The 152 would also be doable, IMO, if you wanted it really playful, but would probably be pretty sinky in deeper snow.
For the Basic, which isn’t a wider board, I would look at the 155. Likely won’t float as well the Dicey 154, but given you want to keep it small and playful, I wouldn’t go longer than 155.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thank you so much for you help. Love your site, keep up the good work!
You’re very welcome Pete. Happy riding!
Hi Nate,
This is my second season on snowboarding, and I am looking for freestyle/park board. Yes Dicey seems to be the top option for me. I have a question on the size. I am 5’8” tall and 160 lbs. I ride 155cm all mountain board. I found that Dicey has a small range of weight for it’s sizing. I was planning to downsize to 152cm Dicey but the max weight for 152cm is at 150lbs.
Would 152cm be too short for me? Thanks!
Hi Bryan
I wouldn’t worry too much about being a little outside that weight recommendation range. And I think the 152 is likely your best bet, particularly if you’re going to be using it to focus on freestyle/park. But if you could let me know your boot size, just to confirm.
Thanks for your reply, Nate! Yes, this board would be predominantly a freestyle board. my boot size is 9.
Hi Bryan
Yeah would go 152 for sure. The boards is wider than it looks and with 9s, you would want to size down anyway, so I wouldn’t go any longer than 152 for you for this board, particularly given it will be predominantly for freestyle.
Thanks, Nate!!
You’re very welcome Bryan. Happy riding!
Hello Nate,
I have a RIDE camder snowboard and I want to change it. I am riding 5 years (I am medium level)
I am 90kg 1.80 height.
My boots are RIDE 44eu number (flex 5). I want an all mountain board.
I want your opinion:
I am thinking of buying Dicey 158 with Burton cartel re:Flex (flex is 7) or Yes basic 156W with same bindings.
Whitch one do you think is better for all mountaim freestyle use?
Also can you tell me if the Burton bindings, with my boots and dicey is OK.
Thank you in advance.
George
Hi George
Thanks for your message.
I would personally go Dicey, but the Basic would work too. The Dicey a little more dynamic though, IMO.
The Cartel Re:Flex would work fine with either setup – they are more of a 6/10 flex, maybe even bordering on 5.5/10, which will work with either board, IMO. The Cartel X is more of a 7/10 flex. 5/10 flex boots should be a good match to either board, IMO.
Size-wise I think the 158 is a good bet. I would put your “standard all-mountain length” at around 161, but with the Dicey being a wider board (it’s wider than the waist width makes it look), I think it’s a good idea to size down a little with your boot size. If you wanted it really playful you could also ride the 156. I would be leaning 158 though as the best all round size for you.
For the Basic, I would be leaning more towards the 161. With your boot size, you don’t need to go wide, IMO. The 161 should be wide enough for your boots. If you wanted it really playful, you could even go down to the 158.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
thank you for this nice website.
Helps a lot to learn more about snowboards and about the boards that are on the market at the moment and how they are.
I have been snowboarding for about 20 years know and the last 10 with a Never Summer Cobra 153.
I am 170cm (5’7″) and weigh about 65kg (143lbs).
I am looking for something more playfull (some jumps, some side-hits, some buttering, small 180’s, switch, trees,…). I also like carving and powder, but I could use my Cobra for that.
I am looking for something not to expensive and something easy to maintain (so I rather go extruded than sintered base). I want a true twin.
And I think I want to stay away from traditional camber since it feels like I want my board to be somewhat versatile…
Would you recommend the Yes Dicey? It seems like a good board for all this, but maybe you have other or better suggestions?
I did find a Dicey 2021 online for a good price but it is a 154.
Would you recommend a 154 for me? Or would it be better the search for a 152 (which I think are only available in Europe for the 2023 model = alot more expensive…)?
The reason why I doubt about the 154 is mainly because I want the board to be more playful than my Cobra and getting one that is longer (even just 1 cm) feels like making a wrong choice.
Another reason why I doubt is because the Cobra is a wonderful all around board and that seems the same for the Dicey. So I wonder if the boards are not to similar…?
It would be nice to get a good answer from someone with the right knowledge of boards without being a salesman of a shop selling boards 🙂
Thank you for your answer.
Regards, David
Hi David
Thanks for your message.
I think the Dicey would suit what you’re describing. But I think a smaller size would work better. This board is wider than it looks based on it’s waist width. So depending on your boot size, I think sizing down would be a good idea. Given the use you want the board for, I’d probably be sizing down a little more than to 152 as well, if you could (152 is smallest Dicey though). I would put your “standard size” right on 153, so I think your bang on with your Cobra, but I think for how you want to use this board, I would size down a bit.
Check out this list some other options to check out that I think could work for you.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thank you for your quick response and helpful feedback.
I was thinking of a Yes Basic as well. I found a 2021 model for a good price, but it is a 146cm… I guess that is to much of sizing down, no?
Would that board fit my needs/what I like?
Most boards in your list are sintered base, and I guess that is great, but I have a sintered one (the Cobra) and noticed the maintenance it requires.
You know some good more “budget-friendly” options that would fit my needs/what I like?
Thanks for your help!
HI David
I think the Basic would certainly work for what you’re describing, but I do think 146 is sizing down a bit too much (though if you could let me know your boot size, that would help). It’s doable, but would be something that would feel very playful – which has the advantage of being easy to butter, easy to spin etc and should be really maneuverable at slower speeds. But it’s likely to very feel very unstable at speed. If that’s not a big concern, then it could work, if you want it to be very specialized for playful, fun freestyle riding.
Some other cheaper options with extruded bases include:
– Capita Ultrafear (has a sintruded base, which is a cross between sintered and extruded, but supposed to be lower maintenance than a sintered base). Though not as cheap as the likes of the Basic
– DC PBJ – only thing is that it’s a traditional camber board and you weren’t sure about that
– K2 Geometric – I haven’t ridden it, so unfortunately can’t say what it’s like from experience, but it’s low price and has an extruded base – and on paper it looks to be a playful, freestyle oriented board
– Salomon Sleepwalker – ditto above, haven’t tested it, but on paper it could work
– Arbor Relapse – it’s technically traditional camber, but Arbor’s system camber works a little differently and doesn’t feel like full camber.
Hi Nate. I love your website and reviews. They are very thorough and very helpful. I am 5’6″ 180 lbs and wear size 7 boots.
Should I go 154 or 156 for all mountain freestyle…? I am leaning towards the 154. I like a narrower waist width since I like my turn initiations and edge transitions to feel fast. nimble and responsive. Plus I do have small feet.
On the other hand, I LOVE speed and carving groomers also. I am thinking the 154 might not be stable enough for higher speeds and more aggressive carves at my slightly heavier weight. I like the thought of having the 156 for stability at speeds and carving.
I am in a tight pickle here. I know I should probably just get 2 different boards…1 for carving/groomers and 1 for freestyle. But I am on a budget and therefore I am looking for a quiver killer so to speak and why I mentioned all mountain freestyle.
Hi Chue
Thanks for your message.
Based on what you’re describing, I would be looking at a different board. Don’t get me wrong the Dicey is a fun board, but given you’re looking for that one-board-quiver, I think there are boards that would give you a better balance between carving/speed and freestyle. Also, whilst the waist width on this board isn’t overly wide, it’s wider at the inserts than you’d think and with 7s, I think the 156 is going to be too big when you take into account width and length. 154 would be the better size, IMO, but given you want that stability at speed, it’s probably not going to be that stable for your weight. I think that shorter size but in a stiffer board would work better. Don’t have to go ultra stiff or anything, but stiffer than the Dicey, IMO – and try to go narrower too.
Some options to look at, depending on how stiff you wanted to go:
>>My Top All-Mountain-Freestyle Snowboards
>>Top 5 Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle Snowboards
I would be happy to give my opinion on sizing for specific boards, if you can narrow it down to a handful of options or less.
But yeah, IMO, whilst I really like the Dicey, I don’t think it’s the right fit for your particular situation.
Hi Nate. You list the width at the inserts as 27.1 cm. Where on the inserts do you measure(top, bottom, reference)? Just trying to figure out how much room my size 11’s will have.
Thanks!
Steve
Hi Steve
Thanks for your message and great question.
It’s measured from the bottom (base) rather than the top sheet – and I measure from reference stance typically. In this case it’s 585mm (23″). Typically if I don’t ride reference, I’ll note what the width is at reference and what it is at the width I rode it at. In the case of the Dicey I rode it at reference. I would be confident with 11s, assuming they’re not too bulky a boot and you aren’t riding too flat a back foot binding angle.
Hope this helps
great board reviews. i recently snapped the rail on my lib tech box knife. i really liked the board. rode as 157 cm. i am 6 ft and 195 lbs. solid intermediate park rider getinto the black diamond level at places like whistler and killington. mostly ride east coast man made , more on hard pack side. trying to figure out a yes dicey or jack pot. 156 or 158. seems like 158 may be big for park, but weight wise seems to match the specs. i hit the rails and jumps about equal. like to have fun with board doing out of park playing also, but this board is primarily buying it for park . any help or thoughts is appreciated.
Hi barleykorn
Thanks for your message.
Size-wise, if you could let me know your boot size as well, that’d be awesome. Important for sizing, particularly for wider boards like the Dicey and Jackpot.
Between the Dicey and Jackpot it’s a close call. Because you do quite a lot of rails, the slightly softer Dicey might be more appealing there – but I found the Jackpot to still be pretty good on rails. I think if you end up going 156 (which I think is probably fine, given it’s going to be predominantly for park), then the board will feel a little softer than I felt it, being a little bigger than I am – so if you wanted to keep something around that mid flex mark, then the Jackpot would be the better bet. If you wanted to go softer – like more like soft-medium, then the Dicey should feel quite soft in the 156 for you, IMO.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, I’ve been riding for 3-4 seasons now and I’m finally pulling the trigger on buying my first board. I’ve gone snowboarding about 20 times now and I have gravitated more towards park/freestyle riding. As far as my riding ability goes, I feel very comfortable riding on beginner and intermediate slopes and I can even ride on black diamonds. I’ve learned how to ride switch, ollie, butter and do front and backside 180s. The past 10 times that I went I mainly focused on learning how to do small to medium jumps, side jumps, and hit box jumps. I definitely have enjoyed learning park a lot more than riding all mountain and want to buy a board to mainly focus on park progression. After doing my research I think I either want to go with the YES Dicey or Capita Asymulator. Which board do you think would be best for a park board? Is there a softer freestyle board that I should consider instead that would better? What size would you recommend? I am 5’11, weigh 145lbs, and wear size 9.5 US Men snowboard boots.
Hi David
Thanks for your message.
If you’re going to be focusing predominantly on park/freestyle, then I think the Dicey. The Asymulator is good for park/freestyle, IMO, but it’s a middle ground between park and all-mountain. The Dicey is a more pure park board – and it’s fairly soft already (4/10 by my feel, versus 5/10 on the Asymulator). You could go softer if you wanted to go really soft, but the Dicey is already pretty soft, by my feel. If you did want to check out other freestyle/park options, take a look at:
>>My Top 10 Men’s Freestyle Snowboards
Size-wise:
Dicey: You could go 154, but I think the 152 would be better. It’s a wider board and given that you’ll be focusing more on freestyle/park, I think the 152 would be the best size for the riding your describing.
Asymulator: Also 152
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate, thank you for the response! I think I am going to go with the Dicey since I will mainly spend my time trying to progress my park game. Would the Union Contact Pro be a good set of biddings to pair with the Dicey?
Hi David
The Contact Pros would be a great match to both the Dicey and how you want to ride, IMO.
Hi Nate, one last question. For someone like me who’s learning how to ride park. Would you recommend the Yes Jackpot or Yes Dicey?
Hi David
For someone learning to ride park, I would recommend the Dicey over the Jackpot. For an experienced park rider, particularly one who wanted to focus more on jumps than jibs, I’d say Jackpot, but for someone learning park, Dicey for sure, IMO.
Hi Nate, one more question. Given my experience level and the riding style I want to focus on. Would the Yes Dicey or the Yes Basic be a better fit for me? I put my pre-order in for the Dicey and that is why I have had all this time to make a decision lol
Hi David
I think the Basic would work for sure. But I think Dicey will be fine for your focus and ability level, and, IMO the better park board, so I’d stick with the Dicey
Hi Nate,
190 lbs. 5’11” size 10
Last season you helped me with picking the YES Standard as my all-in-one board. Which I love! Now I am looking to get a board to learn more freestyle riding where I will be more playful and hitting side hits. Will want to learn the park this season. Therefore, thining to get this YES Dicey as my dedicated freestyle board. I am using Uinon Force with Addidas Tatical ADV. What are your thoughts on this board? or if there is any other boards you recommend? Also would a 156 or 154 be better for me?
Thanks!
Hi Hi Wing
Thanks for your message.
I think the Dicey would work well for your dedicated freestyle/park board. If you wanted to check out other options you could also look at >>my top 10 Freestyle snowboards, but I think the Dicey would work well.
Because it’s going to be your dedicated freestyle board, I would be leaning 154. If you were going to be using it as your only board, certainly 156, but as your dedicated park/freestyle board, I’d go 154.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nate,
Lowish intermediate rider here, no problem linking turns on blues with only about 10 days on the mountain, i feel Im progressing rather quick and have outgrown my Rossignol district. I say this only because i often times feel pretty unstable and as if the board wants to wash out on me when i push it. Could also be lack of experience but it’s just the way i feel… i feel I’m confident and comfortable enough when I’m pushing but the board itself
is what starts to give me an uneasy and unstable feel. Anyways, I don’t venture into the park much and don’t plan on spending much time there since i only get maybe 10-15 days a season and enjoy the groomed runs, but I’d rather make the whole mountain my park hitting side hits and what not. Do you think
the dicey is the board I’m looking for? Something i can go just about anywhere with and have fun with it?
Thanks in advance!
Btw I’m 5’9, 175-180 lbs, size 9 boot
Hi Brandon
Thanks for your message.
With the Dicey you’ll definitely get a bit more in terms of stability at speed and less washy on a carve, but it’s not a carving machine or a speed demon. If you’re looking for something that’s still freestyle focused but something that you can push a little more but is still easy to ride, it could definitely work for what you’re describing. Definitely expect to be able to push a little more, but just don’t expect it to be a speed machine or anything.
Size-wise, I think probably the 156. You could go a little longer in a narrower board, but for this board, it’s too wide for 9s to go longer than that. The 154 would also work, but given that you’re looking for something more stable at speed, the 156 probably works better.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate please if you have this board I will buy it off you. Looked everywhere and this god of a board is nowhere to be found. I’ll even have my mother kiss each dollar bill I send in order to buy this board.
Hi Mike
I don’t own this board (borrowed it for testing, then had to return it (unfortunately!) but I like your enthusiasm, it is a great deck!
Not sure where you can find the 2021 model, but you can pre-order the 2022 model here.
Hope this helps