UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2018/2019 YES Hel Yes here

This remains the only board that YES make for women – but it’s not a catch-all model designed to tick all the boxes for the female market. Designed with input from freerider Helen Schettini, this is for those who want to go places with their riding; specifically, into the steep and deep.

The YES Hel Yes has had a bit of an overhaul for 2015/16. Gone is the ‘Overbite’ design of past years – where the short sections of edge underneath the bindings protrude outwards and act as extra contact points – and in its place comes ‘Underbite’.

As the name suggests, it has the opposite effect; the edge retreats under the feet, instead concentrating the pressure where you most need it for entering and exiting turns. The result is better grip on the tough stuff, and an improved turning experience.

Of course, if you stick to groomers you’re missing the point of this. With its mostly-camber profile with rocker at the nose and tail – slightly more at the former – it can handle aggressive powder riding and backcountry freestyle. Bamboo stringers running tip to tail add to the pop of the camber, meaning you should really be launching this when you can.

It’s a handful, but confident riders should find what they’ve been looking for in the YES Hel Yes.