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Snowboards

YES. Hel 2020-2021 Women’s Snowboard Review

  • Price: £439 / $500
  • Category: Freeride/Powder
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 146, 149, 152, 155
  • Flex: 7/10
  • Shape: Directional Twin
  • Profile: CamRock
  • Base: Sintered
  • BUY DIRECT FROM YES

Not for the faint of heart, the Hel Yes is one of the de facto top choices if you’re searching for a high-end women’s freeride board. Created as the pro model for legendary big mountain rider Helen Schettini and geared towards women who demand the very best from their equipment.

Couloirs, cliff drops, and crazy steep faces are the name of the game with the Hel Yes. The rockered nose and tail give that extra lift when you’re in the deeper snow, and the slamback inserts give the option to throw your bindings way back when you’re blessed with a nipple deep day.

“Make no mistake this is a board that is made to be beasted”

Although the rocker in the nose and tail can create the illusion of an easygoing, mellow ride, make no mistake this is a board that is made to be beasted. The HEL will perform best when pushed to its limits, whether that’s hurtling down icy groomers, dropping into steep faces or smashing through piles of chunder.

The flex is on the stiffer side and with the added stability of the camber between the feet it won’t flinch when you have to cross a nasty cat track or smash through crud. Backing up its piste chops is YES’ signature Underbite edge profile. This disrupts the edge pattern of the board, pulling in by the inserts to redistribute energy where you need it most during turn initiation, hold and release. The Hel favours aggressive and powerful riding, with the Underbite edge profile making it a solid choice even when the snow is less than ideal.

“This disrupts the edge pattern of the board, pulling in by the inserts to redistribute energy where you need it most during turn initiation, hold and release”

Stepping up from other models in the line, The Hel’s core features a mix of Poplar and Paulownia to keep it lightweight, yet ensure long-term durability. Bamboo stringers sit in the core, running the length of the board to add some extra dynamic pop into the mix. It’s this attention to detail that take the Hel to the next level, and allows riders to really step up their game.

Keep the sintered base waxed and ready and you’ll be shooting to the front of the pack. Less confident riders, take a look at the spec’d down Hello, but for those eyeing up Alaskan spines and chutes the Hel is where it’s at. Can this board handle it? Hell yes it can.

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Joy DutchWhitelines

“Helen Schettini is an absolute ripper so you can see why her pro model board performs so well. If you like riding hard and fast and ripping from first to last lifts, then this is certainly a board you should keep in mind.

“The flex worked perfectly for the more aggressive nature of the board”

Underbite edges are crazy stable when you’re cranking turns and they keep the whole process super smooth. No snowboard is fantastic on ice, but the Hel handled those sketchy icy patches as well as any board I’ve ever ridden.

This is one board that you’re not going to get left behind on, even when the snow got thick and heavy the Hel was still fast and was able to smash through the crud.

It’s slightly stiffer than I would usually choose to ride but the flex worked perfectly for the more aggressive nature of the board. It handled really nicely, and I didn’t feel it was twitchy or scatty at all.

It’s ridiculously easy to ride in powder, the nose stays afloat without much effort, and I felt very manoeuvrable and nimble. You can slash, surf and stomp your way all over the mountain with this board, it’s a real heavy hitter.”

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Corinne MayhewMayhew Snowboarding

“This board was a true performer around the mountain with plenty of flex and versatility. I only had access to the 152 which is slightly longer than I’d usually ride but I was appreciative of the extra couple of centimetres as it was a fluffy knee-deep kinda day with punters who could shred! I could really feel the ‘underbite’ feature, which gave added grip under the heel and toes areas of the edge.

“The perfect amount of pop from the nose and tail, along with ease of manoeuvrability”

This would definitely aid those riders who struggle to achieve grip through their heel edge on steeper terrain or in the bumpy, chopped up off-piste. Add in the perfect amount of pop from the nose and tail, along with ease of manoeuvrability and you’ve got a really playful board which almost butters for you! With the centred stance and camber-rocker profile, I loved feeling confident in creating big slashes in the powder throughout the morning before hitting the rails in the afternoon. I wouldn’t choose this board for macking it down the piste and carving all day, but if you’re looking for something fun in all conditions that will perform for any level of rider, then the Hel Yes is a good choice!”

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