“I rode the fantastic Yes Optimistic the season before, so I was keen to have a go on the new Y model, which is coined as a more affordable Optimistic.

At a glance the Y looks like a wide floaty powder board, and that it is. It floats like a dream in the powder, and its short and wide profile allows tight responsive turns without getting too out of control, making it great for tree runs. It has is rockered out the nose and tail keeping you afloat, allowing you to lean back with ease.

But it is not a one-hit-wonder. It is packed with good times across the whole mountain. I was particularly shocked by its ability to carve, and carve well. This was a stand out on the Optimisitc, and I gotta say the Y felt just as good in this department, in spite of having a less pronounced camber that rockers out more in the nose and tail.

It has got the Yes underbite profile going on in the edge which really dug in and held excellently, always initiating on cue – popping in and out of turns felt effortless. It felt solid charging and turning through choppy conditions and slush. On fresh groomers, the Yes Y facilitated some extremely powerful turns, the wide waist really came into its own covering up my big size 11 feet and allowed me to get super low on both heel and toe side. It would chatter a bit, but nothing to cause concern. Overall it was a super stable ride.

“I’ve not seen the specs, but it definitely has a softer flex than the Optimistic (which – I recall – is as stiff as a steel rod)”

I’ve not seen the specs, but it definitely has a softer flex than the Optimistic (which – I recall – is as stiff as a steel rod), which I really liked. It still handled speed really well with a more effortless vibe across the mountain.

The camber provided solid pop in and out of turn but worked super well with ollies and side hits. I hit a couple of kickers which the board boosted well, however, I think bigger jumps would take a bit of getting used to, I think the smaller size of the board sketched me out a few times, it just felt a bit less stable in the air, but whatever.

I don’t recall the Y being particularly good for buttering, but who cares, this thing wants to be ridden low and fast, both on the piste and in the backcountry.

I loved the wide short profile that doesn’t overdo it. It also pleasantly shocked me in the carving department. A great board for someone looking to step up to something more challenging, or looking to get a gnarlier 2nd board, without breaking the bank. What a pleasure, nice one YES!”

[monetizer101 search=’Yes The Y’]