Over the last few years we’ve seen an incredible explosion of talent on the women’s scene, and as such, brands have been scrambling to get their women’s selection up to scratch. While it’s not quite hit the 50/50 mark just yet, there’s no denying that some of the female specific options on offer this season far outdo the men’s equivalent. They’ve grown out of the ‘shrink it and pink it’ stage, and now women’s snowboards are manufactured to cater purposefully for the women’s market.
“We spent last season riding hundreds of snowboards to find the crème de la crème’
So, what is the best snowboard? Is there even such a thing? Or is this a wild goose chase akin to circumnavigating the globe hunting for the lost Ark of the Covenant? The truth is, that much like people, snowboards are all different. There’s a time and a place for each and every one, the choice is personal, and it takes a little bit of introspection to decipher which snowboard is the right one for you.
We spent last season riding hundreds of snowboards to find the crème de la crème and each one listed below consistently impressed our team of testers. Our list includes a few big hitters, a couple of curveballs and some newcomers that made one hell of a splash. A mix of freestyle, freeride, and all-mountain, something to suit every ability and budget, different style preferences and most importantly, all made for ladies who rip.
For advice on how to choose the best snowboard, head to the bottom of the page: Skip to end
The Best Women’s Snowboards For 2026-2027
Whether you’re carving groomers, floating powder or hitting the park, our expert team at Whitelines have picked the top women’s snowboards of the season—tested, ride‑verified and ready to match your style and terrain. The Whitelines 100 winners are as follows:
- Nidecker Odyssey
- Rome Viper Pro
- Bataleon Placebo
- Armada BluePrint
- Nidecker Sorel Surfer
- Rome Viper
- Amplid Singular Directional
- Bataleon Thunderstorm
- YES Hel Yes
- ThirtyTwo Gemini
- Salomon Jetstream
- K2 Sky Pilot
- Gnu Barrett Christy
- YES Women’s Drive
- Arbor Sin Clara
- ThirtyTwo Reiki
You’ll find some extra Whitelines-approved options at the end of the list too. These are a selection of products that we loved and give our seal of approval, we just couldn’t squeeze them into the Whitelines top 100. They are as follows:
Nidecker Odyssey
PRICE: £534.99 / €569.95 / $599.95
SIZES: Men’s: 152, 155, 157, 159, 162 / Women’s: 142, 147, 152, 155
FLEX: 8/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Nidecker Odyssey Snowboard:
Like a certain Christopher Nolan movie, Nidecker’s brand new all-mountain shape blends classic looks with thoroughly modern tech – and promptly earned rave reviews from the critics (OK, except Emily Wilson, but she’s a rubbish snowboarder anyway).
Who Is The Nidecker Odyssey For?
Experienced all-mountain riders who treat the resort map as a rough suggestion. The Odyssey rewards those who hunt out natural hits, tree lines and untracked corners between the pistes, but its solid edge hold means groomer laps are far from boring – trust us when we say the (ahem) home run has never been so fun. And with men’s and women’s versions available, few will resist the siren call (oh alright, we’ll stop now).
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Odyssey’s directional outline pairs with Nidecker’s Surfy CamRock profile – regular camber through the body with an extended rocker section at the nose – so it stays lively on edge while gliding over chop and deep snow. A shortish tail and 50mm setback encourage you to drive turns off the back foot, surf style. Inside, the poplar and paulownia Light Core is glassed with stiffness-boosting Triax Plus fibre, while Pop Carbon inlays add snap at each end. Two exclusive techs seal the deal: Orbital Cushioning (shock-absorbing urethane built in around the inserts) and titanium boosters that fire your input straight into the edge. A rapid N-9000 sintered base rounds off one of the best all-mountain boards of the year.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“Orbital Cushioning under the foot/binding is designed to smooth out the ride and it felt awesome. One of the best boards I’ve tested.”
Rome Viper Pro
PRICE: £529.99 / €599.95 / $629.95
SIZES: 142N, 146N, 150N, 154, 156, 158, 160W, 162W
FLEX: 8/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Rome Viper Pro Snowboard:
Rome’s all-new Viper family slithers into the range with this flagship at its head – a carbon-loaded all-mountain machine that had two of our testers fighting over it.
Who Is The Rome Viper Pro For?
Serious all-terrain reptiles who appreciate a stiffer, high spec board that will squeeze the most out every lap. Powder hounds might want to size up, while creative spirits should size down; either way, expect fast turns and stomped landings.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Viper Pro’s directional twin outline packs Rome’s full tech arsenal. Fusion Camber runs positive underfoot with small rocker pockets at the contact points, keeping the ride predictable without dulling the pop, while the Directional Diamond 3D nose – a flat centre section with bevelled sides – floats through the deep stuff and lends a surfy feel to turns. At the back, the Directional Double Kick’s two-part rise adds stability on heavy landings and torsional stiffness at speed. Carbon HotRods (carbon rods integrated into the core) supply the snap, a Tri-Radial sidecut blends three radii into one smooth, predictable arc, and the SinterStrong base keeps you well ahead of the pack on the return to the chairlift.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“Super fun, playful but with extra control. Love the double kick in the tail… good on piste as well as off – the effective edge feels great.”
Tester Verdict
Meagan Malone
“I rode this board in the unisex size 154. It carved very well, with great edge hold and a lot of pop! For a women’s board, the 154 really hits the mark as an all mountain charger, with enough surface area for float while still being maneuverable edge to edge. For more freestyle and park riding I would select the regular Viper in the (women’s specific) 150. A very versatile board – size up for pow days and carving, or choose a smaller size for a great all-mountain board that will also rip in the park.”
Bataleon Placebo
PRICE: €549.95 / $559.95
SIZES: 149, 153, 156, 159, 162, 160W, 164W
FLEX: 8/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Bataleon Placebo Snowboard:
Bataleon named their first flat-based board “Placebo” as a wink to the fact it contains none of their traditional active ingredient (3BT). Turns out the medicine works.
Who Is The Placebo For?
Bataleon fans curious to know what their favourite 3D-shaping specialists can conjure up without the signature 3BT will find plenty to like here, alongside anyone chasing a more ‘normal’, predictable camber ride. It’s stiff enough for chargers who want a directional twin that holds an edge hard, while still being happy to take off or land switch when the mood strikes.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Placebo strips away Bataleon’s usual triple base for a 100% flat platform – no nose or tail uplift here – paired with a straightforward, medium-height camber profile for old-school pop and edge hold. Underneath, a Light Core blend of poplar and paulownia keeps things nimble, reinforced by a Central Super Tube running down the middle for extra pop without adding torsional stiffness. Impact plates around the inserts ensure it can handle abuse, while Tri-Ax glassing beefs up the flex pattern for aggressive response and a smoother ride at high speed. The Ultra Glide S sintered base is Bataleon’s premium option – perfect for overtaking your mates on the cat track.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“Definitely a different-feeling board based on the flat/no camber vibe. Would advise to use a pair of bindings with dampening tech.”
Armada BluePrint
PRICE: £399.99 / €449.95 / $459.95
SIZES: 147, 151, 155, 159, 163W
FLEX: 5/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Extruded
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Armada Blueprint Snowboard:
It looks like a common-or-garden variety, but on closer inspection the Armada Blueprint punches above its weight (and price tag).
Who Is The Armada Blueprint Snowboard For?
As the size range suggests, there’s an Armada Blueprint for all comers. Rider-wise, this one is ideal for anyone who prefers an easy-going board that’s built to last, leans towards freestyle riding and won’t break the bank. If you’re an intermediate-level rider that’s on the cusp of stepping up, this would be ideal.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Even though you’ll find some of the hallmarks of a price-point board here (the extruded base, the biaxial fibreglass) the Armada Blueprint still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Carbon stringers run from under the feet to the contact points for a response boost, while some of the foot-bothering impact from big drops is mopped up by impact plates under the inserts. It might balk at the most high-speed, high-consequence riding, but the true carbon profile will hold an edge any time you’re ready to push the boat out (and that’s something you don’t get with a lot of boards in this category). In short, there’s not a lot the Blueprint can’t do.
Tester Verdict
Meagan Malone
“This is a stiff twin, but with some torsional and tip and tail flex that allows the board to be more forgiving and playful. As a price-point board it may be too stiff for some beginners, but a great option for intermediate to advanced riders that want a board that can handle the whole mountain, and easily ride switch or in the park.
My only worry is how stiff it might get in larger women’s sizes; I rode the 147 which is a much smaller board than I would usually ride. In saying that, it’s not as narrow as other women’s boards of the same size, which would allow the rider to size down if needed.”
Nidecker Sorel Surfer
PRICE: £574.99 / €599.95 / $679.95
SIZES: 150, 155, 160
FLEX: 4/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Nidecker Sorel Surfer Snowboard:
It’s a bonus addition to one of this winter’s coolest collabs. Nidecker teamed up with Sorel to reimagine the boot worn by all the sport’s pioneers – and this co-branded board taps into the same theme: old school looks, modern performance.
Who Is The Nidecker Sorel Surfer For?
Soulful riders drawn to the heritage story as much as the chance of some surfy turns. This is a limited-edition collab piece that taps into the spirit of yesteryear and – who knows – might prove to be a collector’s item. Its extended nose and shortened tail echo Nidecker’s earliest boards, while the forgiving flex keeps things loose and playful, whether you’re shredding pow or ripping resort (assuming they let you on the lift – this is pure 1984 vibes, after all).
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Sorel Surfer’s directional shape echo classic 80s and 90s silhouettes, while Surfy CamRock – regular camber underfoot with extended nose rocker – delivers effortless float and smooth, connected turns. Shaped by Thierry Kunz (the brains behind Nidecker’s Snow.Surf Quiver), it features a lightweight core of poplar and paulownia, together with a sintered, high carbon base for nimble glide in any conditions. The topsheet graphic is a nod to the original Sorel Caribou boot, and even includes a leather inlay towards the nose.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“Super fun big nose for those pow-pow runs. Felt playful in deep snow and chop, and carved beautifully on the groomed runs. Light enough to float without being too soft – overall good times.”
Rome Viper
PRICE: £479.99 / €549.95 / $569.95
SIZES: Men’s: 154, 156, 158, 160W, 162W / Women’s: 142N, 146N, 150N
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Rome Viper Snowboard:
It’s the most accessible model in Rome’s new Viper family. The 3D nose and double-kicked tail are the same as the flagship Pro, but it boasts a mellower flex and a price tag that welcomes the rest of us. Ssssssick!
Who Is The Rome Viper For?
Riders who prefer to pack one deck for everything rather than take their chances at the check-in desk. And with a men’s and women’s version available – ranging from a narrow 142 right up to a 162 wide – that means almost anyone. The friendlier flex keeps butters and lazy laps fun, yet there’s ample backbone when you open the taps.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Viper’s Directional Diamond 3D nose pairs a flat middle with a subtle bevel on each side, so the board mows across powder and chop. The stepped rise of the Double Kick tail helps lock into presses and power through heavy landings. Fusion Camber runs positive between the feet before easing into short rockered sections at either end to mellow out edge transitions, while the Tri-Radial sidecut merges three radii for turns that tighten and release smoothly. The core deploys Bamboo Omega HotRods: bamboo rods wrapped in carbon sleeves for a more pressable, playful kind of snap. A sintered base completes a tidy package.
Tester Verdict
Pat Nichols
“Beautiful all-mountain ripper. Great on groomers, lovely in pow. Lots of stability in the tail for landings but still enough torsional flex to have fun and butter around. Good for whatever is in front of ya.”
Read the in-depth review of the ROME VIPER here
AMPLID Singular Directional
PRICE: £559 / €679 / $679
SIZES: 144, 148, 151, 155, 156W, 158, 159W, 162, 166
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The Amplid Singular Snowboard:
Year after year, this one sits on the top of the daily driver pile. From peak to park, the Amplid Singular genuinely can do it all.
Who Is The Amplid Singular Snowboard For?
All-mountain boards don’t exactly come in all shapes and sizes, for obvious reasons – but there’s still a fair bit of variety out there. The Amplid Singular will suit those who like a forgiving end-to-end flex from nose to tail, but plenty of torsional stiffness. The wide sizes added for 2026/27 mean that those with bigger feet can join the party.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The folk at Amplid don’t just trumpet game-changing applications of miracle materials – they show their working. Case in point is their proprietary ‘Viscodamp’ system, which cancels out vibrations using polymers with specific attributes. It’s nerdy stuff, but you can’t argue with results. Same goes for the ‘Bezier curve’ sidecuts, which are applied instead of a true radius for more effective edge hold.
Easier to get your head around is the early-rise rocker in the nose that improves powder float. But from the simple to the brain-bending, all of the Singular’s features are there for a reason – and it all adds up to a real beauty of an all-rounder.
Tester Verdict
Andrew Duthie
“The Amplid Singular has long been a favourite. Its ability to go anywhere and do anything is almost unrivaled. Now in a wider shape, for bigger-boot fellows like me this was even more fun than before – although I will say I still booted out when I cranked the carve super low. But that’s an issue that can almost only be fixed by specialist boards.”
Read the in-depth review of the AMPLID SINGULAR here
Bataleon Thunderstorm
PRICE: €569.95 / $589.95
SIZES: Men’s: 154, 156, 158, 161, 156W, 159W, 162W / Women’s: 144, 148, 152
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Bataleon Thunderstorm Snowboard:
Bataleon’s all-new storm chaser backs up its name with some serious big-mountain firepower — floaty enough to charge the backcountry, playful enough to have a blast anywhere inbounds.
Who Is The Bataleon Thunderstorm For?
Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, the Thunderstorm is built for turn-lovers who want serious pow capability without sacrificing fun. Its stiff nose and tail hold their own in steep and technical terrain, while the directional shape and lively feel underfoot keep it versatile enough to run as a daily driver.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Thunderstorm channels Bataleon’s 3D DNA into a directional shape with high nose uplift and medium tail uplift, alongside SideKick tips for hull-like float and surfy edge-to-edge roll. A low camber profile keeps edge hold predictable and planted on the piste, while its Ultra Light Core blends poplar and paulownia for a nimble, lively feel – reinforced by carbon stringers and Dual Super Tubes alongside each rail for extra pop and snap. ‘Step Down Rails’ thin the sidewalls near the edges for sharper turn initiation, while Tri-Ax glassing beefs up response. A sintered Ultra Glide S base is nothing less than you’d expect on a board built for fast lines and good times.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“An all-around great board – not too stiff and ‘planky’ feeling for a freeride model. Still playful and able to take over pillows etc. with its stiff tail and big nose.”
YES Hel Yes
PRICE: TBC
SIZES: 146, 149, 152, 155
FLEX: 7/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: CamRock
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The YES Hel Yes Snowboard:
Name’s on the tin with this one; I defy you to take a few laps on this and not be hooting and hollering.
Who Is The YES Hel Yes For?
Any snowboard originally made for Helen Schettini is designed to be ridden by an absolute charger, so riders with confidence and skill in equal measure will have a spin on this and not look back.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The beauty of the Hel Yes lies in its simplicity, and that’s not to say it’s a simple snowboard, but that the YES crew have taken basic concepts and executed them so well that it’s almost impossible not to have a rip-roaring time on it. The directional twin outline and hybrid profile offer bags of versatility across various terrain, whilst the UnderBite edge profile is a masterclass in disruptive engineering that gives rock-solid edge hold and turn initiation that’s smoother than KY on glass. An additional pair of inserts allows you to turn the Hel Yes into a dependable deep snow ride, setting your weight across the tail to further lift the nose out for easy float.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“The all-time best board ever.”
ThirtyTwo Gemini
PRICE: $529.95 / €455.09 / £396.43
SIZES: 140, 143, 146, 149, 152
FLEX: 4/10
SHAPE: True Twin
PROFILE: Hybrid Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The ThirtyTwo Gemini Snowboard:
ThirtyTwo have come out of the gates swinging with this freestyle-focused ripper that takes what we know and love from classic park boards and infuses it with some ThirtyTwo sauce to take it to the next level.
Who Is The ThirtyTwo Gemini For?
The playful, freestyle vibes of the ThirtyTwo Gemini would suit those looking to tear it up between the park ropes, but Geminis are famously multi-faceted, right? Part of the charm of the Gemini is its adaptability across a range of terrain, and thanks to its friendly flex, despite being a great option for more advanced riders, the barrier to entry isn’t super high and offers progression without punishment.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
ThirtyTwo aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel here; they’re throwing a tried-and-tested true twin silhouette, a hybrid camber bend and a lightweight dual wood core in a pan, sautéing them with a blend of ThirtyTwo spices, and serving up a smörgåsbord of freestyle fun.
Poppy camber runs between the feet, with flat zones outside that transition into Park Kick tips. This best-of-both-worlds profile brings the dynamic energy of true camber, with mellower sections to allow stability for presses and butters, and an early rise in the nose and tail to avoid unintentional edge catches whether you’re on the in-run or cruising groomers. The poplar/paulownia core is infused with reactive triax fibreglass to ensure the Gemini channels rider input in a controlled manner, bringing a responsive ride regardless of speed or terrain.
Like most recipes, you separate the wheat from the chaff in the form of quality ingredients. ThirtyTwo uses durable hardened steel edges, a premium sintered base, and an Impact Shield topsheet to protect against skiers in the lift line.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“No bells and whistles, simple and awesome. Great all-around snowboard to take in the park, mountain and jibbing around.”
Salomon Jetstream
PRICE: £530 / €600 / $649.95
SIZES: 146, 149, 153, 157, 160, 163, 166
FLEX: 7/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Combo
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The Salomon Jetstream Snowboard:
With one of the most straight-up droolworthy shapes of the year, few boards are more likely to convert you to the Art of Carve than the Salomon Jetstream.
Who Is The Salomon Jetstream Snowboard For?
Technically this is an all-rounder, but even from a distance you’ll notice that this is no common-or-garden popsicle stick. The Salomon Jetstream is of the ‘explorer’ variety of all-mountain boards – better suited to treating the whole resort like a park, rather than camping out in one all day.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Few brands have done more than Salomon to cook up new flavours of sidecut, but the Salomon Jetstream boards as classic a radial edge as you’ll find. That means it’s easy to anticipate what it’ll do though the carve – which is obviously its natural state. The profile is a little tricksier, with a middle flat section that moves first to camber, then to rocker. The combination is not too catchy, but still pops when you need it to (aided by carbon at both ends). It’s all wrapped up in a delicious chunky-but-tapered outline that just loves to float.
Tester Verdict
Kevin Frank
“An exceptionally unique snowboard that offers an amazing experience for all mountain riding – only faltering in the park due to its very directional shape. This board shines the most while turning and offers an incredibly fun, tight sidecut radius that inspires a wealth of confidence on edge and absolutely begs for you to surf the whole mountain. An amazing experience; some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a snowboard.”
K2 Sky Pilot
PRICE: £640 / €600 / $629
SIZES: 148, 151, 154, 157, 160, 163
FLEX: 6
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Setback Camber
3D: Yes
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The K2 Sky Pilot Snowboard:
This is one half of Sage Kotsenburg’s ‘good vibes only’ capsule collection for K2, and the more freeride-focused of the pair. All music to our ears.
Who Is The K2 Sky Pilot For?
Yes, it’s a freeride board, but nothing cooked up from Sage would ever rule out spontaneous, creative riding. As the name suggests, those who like getting airborne all over the mountain may find what they’ve been looking for here.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The camber bend of the K2 Sky Pilot has been pushed back slightly to allow for an extended rocker in the nose. That front end is also free of the carbon that runs longitudinally along the rest of the board, meaning you get tons of ollie power but a bit less resistance in the pow. The core is a new one, with bamboo and Aspen laid in ‘X’ shapes under each foot to quicken up the response and reduce the chances of a binding blowout. The whole thing also has a very subtle 3D bevel, delivering smooth turns on piste and even more float in the deep stuff.
Tester Verdict
Kevin Frank
“This board is phenomenal; quick edge to edge, and really fun to flick! It rips pow and is super comfortable, both switch and regular. Very, very fun for crushing resort laps, cat tracks and side hits. The spoon tech on the tip in front of the contact points leaves the nose feeling catch-free and very manoeuvrable. This could easily be the only board an intermediate to aggressive rider would ever need.”
Tester Verdict
Sara Previte
“This mid-wide snowboard is for a strong intermediate to advanced rider. As a fan of the K2 Instrument, this board has the essence of it, but feels more lively. It’s really poppy off side hits, turning you into a “sky pilot” – but it also has the special K2 sauce (a personal favourite of mine), so it’s still extremely damp.”
Gnu Barrett Christy
PRICE: $599.99 / €599.99 / £539.99
SIZES: 146, 149, 152, 155
FLEX: 7/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: CamRock
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: No
Why We Chose The Gnu Barrett Snowboard:
You don’t get to have a career as lauded as Barrett Christy’s without knowing a thing or two (or 50) about designing a top-tier high-performance snowboard. This is a vintage muscle car lovingly restored and maintained to deliver retro Americana vibes by the bucketload.
Who Is The Gnu Barrett For?
You gotta be able to roll with the big dogs if you want to take the Barrett for a spin. It’s unashamedly aimed at experienced riders who aren’t afraid to leave the safety of the beaten path for out-of-bounds adventures.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Float in the nose, power in the tail- the Barrett’s directional silhouette, tapered shape and setback stance lend themselves to aggressive riding in deeper snow and on the hardpack. Coupled with Gnu’s ProMag technology, you’ve got a beast that grips, rips and drives through the back leg for a locked-in feeling.
Gnu certainly ain’t skimping on materials for their A Lister; they use their highest-end core, a blended fibreglass overlay, a super speedy base and carbon rods to drive rider input directly where it needs to go. Put all these together, and you’ve got a lightning-quick snowboard that’s responsive when you push it, stable on uncompromising terrain, reactive when split-second decisions need to be made and dependable across varying conditions.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“This felt really fun, floaty and playful in the pow until I got on the groomer, where I could really feel the camber under my feet for strong carving and beautiful edge hold and control… The nose and tail held well. All around YES from me!”
YES Drive Women’s
PRICE: TBC
SIZES: 146, 149, 152
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional Twin
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose the YES Drive Women’s Snowboard:
The topsheet graphic alone sold this one to me, but it’s an uncompromising women’s snowboard that doesn’t pull punches to cater to the masses, and I bloody love that.
Who Is The YES Drive Women’s For?
It’s a versatile quiver of one for experienced riders looking to take just one snowboard away with them and be able to tackle piste, park and some sidecountry pow.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Any full camber snowboard is going to be a mega ball of energy, and the YES Drive brings poppy, dynamic power to the forefront. Slightly wider in the waist to increase surface area to make up for the lack of rocker in the nose and tail in deeper snow. You’ll find some killer ingredients when you pop the hood, with a gnarly triax fibreglass overlay, infused with carbon for some real oomph when you want to push it.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“This is an absolute charger. Super stiff all the way through the board; the true camber to contact points works very well. The board took me for a ride, in the best way possible. Not able to nose butter, etc. on groomers… lots of drive, lots of fun.”
Arbor Sin Cara
PRICE: £477.99 / €549.99 / $519.95
SIZES: 146, 149, 152
FLEX: 5-6/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The Sin Cara Snowboard:
Sin Cara borrows its name – Spanish for “faceless” – for a minimal-looking black topsheet, but there’s nothing anonymous about the performance – our test team loved it.
Who Is The Sin Cara For?
Riders who want one board that handles ordinary piste days as happily as a surprise powder dump will get on well with the Sin Cara. Its more forgiving flex pattern makes it approachable without feeling soft, while the directional shape and sintered base keep things stable and gliding fast when conditions turn deeper or faster than expected.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
The Sin Cara’s Parabolic Camber profile blends five radii instead of a single arc, letting the edges engage and release more gradually for a smoother, more forgiving ride than a traditional camber board. That directional shape adds stability at speed and extra float when the snow piles up, while updated Grip Tech contact points under the heel and toe give you extra bite where you need it on hardpack or ice. Inside, the Highland II core blends poplar and paulownia for a lighter, lively feel, wrapped in a triax-over-biax glass layup that balances response with a forgiving flex. A sintered base keeps things fast and durable, and Arbor’s Bio-Resin construction shrinks the environmental footprint.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“Really good on piste and pow. Love the all around basics… a go-to board.”
ThirtyTwo Reiki
PRICE: $499.95 / €429.31 / £374
SIZES: 142, 145, 148, 151, 154
FLEX: 6/10
SHAPE: Directional
PROFILE: Hybrid Camber
3D: No
BASE: Sintered
NEW FOR 26/27 SEASON: Yes
Why We Chose The ThirtyTwo Reiki Snowboard:
The graphic alone is enough to send the Reiki straight to the top of our Christmas wish list, but it’s the top-level performance and cutting-edge tech that really hurl it stratospheric for us.
Who Is The ThirtyTwo Reiki For?
You don’t have to be riding super technical terrain at the Freeride World Tour to make the most of the Reiki, but it definitely is most at home in deeper snow, charging hard and fast and digging trenches on corduroy. We’d recommend it to stronger riders looking for a solid board to tackle groomers and up their game off the beaten track.
Tech Talk
Shape, profile, sidecut and construction materials
Confidence, control and stability are the hallmarks of the Reiki, and these come to fruition thanks to the long cambered section that runs through its torso, with a rockered section up front that both gives it some extra float in deeper snow and smooths out turn initiation on the hard pack.
The Reiki could give a Proboscis monkey a run for its money, with the big old schnozz, tapered outline and setback stance doing the heavy lifting when you strike white gold. Despite its strong performance both on and off piste, it’s not super stiff, and this more flexible build makes it a great snowboard for those looking to upskill their riding.
Tester Verdict
Maria Kuzma
“My favourite board to test. The board held a good, snappy edge through turns on icy groomers and was fun and snappy for jibbing around. It felt like an extension of my legs rather than riding a heavy and stiff Freeride board… not over-designed… simple and fun.”
