Are YES. Snowboards Good? A Rider-Owned Revolution Reviewed (2025)
In the snowboard industry, some brands are created in corporate boardrooms with market analysis and trend forecasting. And then there are brands born out of pure, unfiltered passion and a little bit of rebellion. YES. Snowboards falls squarely into the latter category. You’ve likely seen their clean aesthetics and heard the buzz, but the core question for any discerning rider remains: Behind the cool story and slick graphics, are YES. snowboards actually any good?
As a rider who has had the privilege of testing hundreds of boards over the years, I can tell you that YES. is more than just “good”—they are a benchmark for innovation, quality, and rider-focused design. This isn’t just another brand; it’s a movement started by some of the most legendary riders in the sport’s history. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into their incredible origin story, break down the game-changing technology that sets them apart, and put their key models to the test on the snow to give you the definitive answer.
The Quick Answer: Are YES. Snowboards Good?
Yes, YES. snowboards are fantastic. They are widely regarded as one of the most innovative and high-quality snowboard brands on the market. They excel in the all-mountain and freeride categories, offering powerful carving, superior edge hold through their “UnderBite” technology, and exceptional build quality. Backed by an industry-leading lifetime warranty, YES. is an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced riders looking for a high-performance board that’s designed by and for passionate snowboarders.
Born from Rebellion: The Story That Defines YES.
To truly understand the quality of a YES. snowboard, you have to know their origin story. It’s one of the most significant tales in modern snowboarding and the ultimate proof of their E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). In 2009, the snowboard world was shaken when three of the biggest names in the sport—Romain De Marchi (RDM), JP Solberg, and David Carrier-Porcheron (DCP)—were unceremoniously dropped from their longtime sponsor, Burton Snowboards, during a corporate restructuring.
These weren’t just team riders; they were icons who had defined an era of freestyle and backcountry snowboarding with their groundbreaking video parts. Instead of fading away, they channeled their frustration and passion into creating a brand that put riders first. With the help of the Nidecker factory, they launched YES. on a simple premise: a brand owned and operated by snowboarders, dedicated to building the boards they and their friends wanted to ride. This story is baked into every board they make. When you ride a YES. board, you’re riding a product born from decades of professional experience at the highest level of the sport. The founders’ DNA is in every sidecut, every core profile, and every piece of innovative tech.
The Tech Breakdown: What is “UnderBite” and Why Does It Matter?
The hallmark of a YES. snowboard is its innovative approach to edge technology. While many brands focus on camber profiles, YES. re-engineered the sidecut itself to enhance grip and performance. This is primarily achieved through their signature “UnderBite” technology.
Core Tech Explained: UnderBite Edges
Forget a smooth, traditional radial sidecut. UnderBite creates disruptions in that arc. Specifically, the sidecut is pulled inward under your binding areas. Imagine your board laying flat; the edges would curve slightly inwards under your feet.
So what does this do on snow? When you lay the board on edge to carve, the pressure you exert is concentrated on the areas just outside your bindings. With the edge pulled in underfoot, the board distributes this pressure more effectively to the areas where you need it most. This does three amazing things:
- Increases Edge Pressure: By reducing the edge area directly underfoot, it increases the pressure on the sections leading into and out of your bindings. This creates a much more powerful, locked-in edge hold, especially on firm snow and ice.
- Smooths Turn Initiation: The board rolls onto its edge more smoothly and predictably without the “catchy” feeling that some other enhanced-grip technologies can have.
- Maintains Rider Control: It allows you to drive, redirect, and power through a turn with incredible confidence. You feel more connected and in control of your edge at all times.
YES. has since evolved this concept into variations like MidBite (which adds a narrow waist for insane grip on true twin boards) and Tapered UnderBite (which combines the edge disruption with a tapered shape for ultimate powder float and carving power).
The 2025/2026 YES. Lineup: On-Snow Reviews
Talk is one thing, but performance on snow is everything. I’ve ridden these models extensively, and here’s my breakdown of the standouts in the YES. collection, all of which can often be found on Amazon.
YES. Basic
- Riding Style: All-Mountain / Freestyle
- Tech: UnderBite Edges
- Profile: CamRock
- Best For: The progressing rider who wants one affordable, high-quality board to master the entire mountain.
YES. Typo
- Riding Style: Aggressive All-Mountain / Freestyle
- Tech: UnderBite Edges
- Profile: Camber Dominant
- Best For: Intermediate to advanced riders who love the Basic’s shape but want more power and pop.
Review: YES. Basic – The People’s Champion
Don’t let the name fool you; the Basic is anything but. This board has won countless awards for a reason. It’s the perfect entry point into the world of YES. The CamRock profile places camber between the feet for stability and pop, with rocker in the tip and tail for a catch-free feel and improved float. Paired with the UnderBite edges, the Basic is an incredibly intuitive and confidence-inspiring ride. It holds an edge far better than most other boards at this price point, allowing beginners to learn how to carve properly from day one. It’s forgiving enough for your first day, but has a performance ceiling high enough to keep you happy for seasons to come. It’s a true quiver-of-one for the rider on a budget.
YES. Basic: Pros
- Incredible value for the price
- UnderBite provides amazing edge hold
- Forgiving yet high-performance CamRock profile
- True twin shape is perfect for learning switch
YES. Basic: Cons
- Not aggressive enough for expert chargers
- Extruded base is slower than a sintered base (but more durable)
Review: YES. Typo – The Basic’s Evil Twin
The Typo takes the award-winning shape of the Basic and injects it with a dose of high-octane energy. The main difference is a more aggressive, camber-dominant profile and a faster, sintered base. The moment you step on the Typo, you can feel the difference. It’s snappier, more responsive, and begs to be ridden fast. The UnderBite edges feel even more engaged, allowing you to lay down deep, powerful carves that you wouldn’t think are possible on a true twin. This is the board for the rider who has mastered the basics and wants to start charging harder, hitting bigger jumps, and pushing their all-mountain freestyle riding to the limit. It’s a perfect graduation board from the Basic, or a great choice for an experienced rider who wants a powerful and playful daily driver. This is the kind of board that makes you understand why snowboarding is so fun.
YES. Standard
- Riding Style: All-Mountain / Freeride
- Tech: MidBite Edges
- Profile: Directional Volume Twin
- Best For: The modern rider who wants to carve trenches, float in powder, and ride switch all on one board.
YES. PYL (Pick Your Line)
- Riding Style: Freeride / Powder
- Tech: Tapered UnderBite
- Profile: Directional CamRock
- Best For: Advanced riders who live for deep powder days, high-speed groomers, and backcountry exploration.
The Ultimate Trust Signal: The YES. Lifetime Warranty
In an industry where a one or two-year warranty is the norm, YES. stands apart by backing their boards with a **LIFETIME WARRANTY**. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s a testament to their belief in their materials and manufacturing process (they are built in the highly-respected Nidecker factory). This warranty covers any manufacturing defects for the life of the board. It shows an incredible level of trustworthiness and a commitment to their customers. When you’re considering the overall cost of a snowboard setup, and you’re thinking about how expensive snowboarding is, a board that is guaranteed for life offers unparalleled long-term value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where are YES. snowboards made?
YES. snowboards are manufactured at the SWS (Sintered Winter Sports) factory in Tunisia, which is owned by their partner, Nidecker. This is a state-of-the-art facility known for producing some of the highest quality snowboards in the world for a variety of top-tier brands.
How does UnderBite compare to Magne-Traction?
Both are technologies designed to improve edge grip. Magne-Traction (used by Lib Tech/Gnu) adds multiple “serrations” along the edge, like a serrated knife, which provides an incredible, almost magnetic grip on ice. UnderBite offers a more subtle, smoother feel. It provides a significant boost in grip without the sometimes “grabby” feeling of Magne-Traction. Riders who prioritize smooth, powerful carves often prefer UnderBite, while riders on the iciest mountains might prefer the extra bite of Magne-Traction.
Should I size down on a volume shifted YES. board like the Standard?
Yes. The YES. Standard is a “Directional Volume Twin.” This means it’s wider than a traditional board, allowing you to ride a shorter length without losing float or stability. You should typically ride the Standard 3-5 cm shorter than your normal all-mountain board. This makes it quicker and more maneuverable in trees and tight spots while still providing epic float and stability.
Are YES. snowboards good for beginners?
While many of their boards are geared towards advanced riders, models like the YES. Basic are absolutely fantastic for beginners. Its forgiving profile and the confidence-inspiring grip of UnderBite make it a board that is easy to learn on but difficult to outgrow, offering a much better platform for progression than most entry-level boards.
The Final Verdict: A Resounding YES.
So, are YES. snowboards good? Without a shred of doubt, yes. They represent the pinnacle of rider-driven design. They are a brand built on an authentic story, pro-rider expertise, and a relentless drive for innovation that you can genuinely feel under your feet. The UnderBite edge technology is a true game-changer that makes snowboarding more fun and more intuitive, especially when it comes to the pure joy of carving.
Whether you’re a progressing intermediate rider looking for your first serious board or an advanced expert searching for a powerful and reliable new ride, there is a YES. board that will not only meet but exceed your expectations. When you buy a YES. board, you’re not just getting a piece of equipment; you’re investing in a piece of snowboard history and a product guaranteed to perform for life. It’s a choice that will make you fall in love with riding all over again and remind you why snowboarding is the best winter sport.
