Summary
The ideal rider for the W’s Basic is a beginner to intermediate rider who is looking for a good all-around board to practice their turning. The board turns quickly at lower to moderate speeds and holds an edge well. It can even help the rider get onto the edge if they are struggling with transferring out of skid turns.Where To Buy
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| Riding Style | All Mountain Freestyle |
| Riding Level | Intermediate - Expert |
| Fits Boot size (US) | Women's |
| Manufactured in | Dubai by SWS |
| Shape | True Twin |
| Camber Profile | Hybrid Camber |
| Stance | Centered |
| Approx. Weight | Feels Normal |
| Split | No |
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| On Snow Feel |
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| Turn Initiation |
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| Skidded Turns |
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| Flex |
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| Buttering |
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| Edge Hold |
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Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
Dreamruns
Geartrade
BlueTomato Belgium
BlueTomato France
BlueTomato Sweden
BlueTomato Denmark
BlueTomato Finland
BlueTomato Italy
BlueTomato UK
BlueTomato Netherlands
BlueTomato Austria
BlueTomato Germany
BlueTomato Spain
SnowCountry
PRFO Sports Canada
An Un-Paid, Un-Biased Breakdown Of How The Yes Basic Women's Rides Review by The Good Ride
The Written Review of the Yes Basic Women’s and Who It’s For
How The Yes Basic Women’s Was Tested:
I borrowed the Yes Basic Women’s for an extended demo and sent it back.
Ethics Statement
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Size: 149
Days: 2
Conditions: Early spring PNW conditions, ice, pockets of shallow powder, soft groomers, tracked off-piste.
Riders: Jordan (size 7.5, 135lbs, 5’6″
Boots: K2 Kinsley
Insoles:Custom
Bindings: Union Trilogy, Now W’s Conda
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jordan’s Set Up: 20.5” Wide. Stance Angles +15/-9, +15/-15, +18/+6. Close to Reference on groomers and Set as far back as my stance width will allow on powder.
Similar Boards We Like (but not the same):
Jones Twin Sister, Gnu Velvet, Capita Space Metal Fantasy
Approximate Weight
(We don’t put in the exact weight because, with wood cores, there is no consistency in a board’s weight)
Sizing
Sizing is all about balancing what fits your boot size and your weight for how you like to ride. If your boot is too wide, you can’t turn it; if it’s too narrow, you get the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag. Your weight is a close second to boot size because it determines how the board will feel under your foot. Height comes in a distant 3rd. Some prefer control, so matching the boot size is the priority. Others prefer dampness over control and like to size up.I would stay close to the brand’s recommended weight ranges for weight. If it comes down to boot size or weight, I would ensure it fits your boot first and then your weight a close second.
Shape
The Yes Basic features a true twin shape with a disrupted edge and mixed camber profile. It feels like a true twin with a narrower waist width and quicker turning capacity than more traditional freestyle twin boards.
Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level
The Basic has a CamRock camber profile of 3-3-3. These numbers indicate the measurement of camber to rocker from tip to tail. This board has mild camber past the feet and mild rocker in the tip and tail, giving the Basic a friendly feel when base gliding and initiating turns. The rocker in the nose and tail keeps the board slightly above the snow and allows the rider to maintain control as the conditions change. The disrupted edge can feel catchy at times when transitional from heel to toe at speeds, but overall the board feels easy to ride and easy to maneuver. I would recommend this board to Beginner to intermediate riders who are developing their skills in turning and want a board that will progress with them.
Edge Hold
Yes boards incorporate a variation of disrupted edges on most of their boards. The W’s Basic has the disrupted edge or Underbite directly under the inserts. This edge adjustment intends to give the rider more contact points during a turn without requiring speed or rider weight to flex the board. Combine these disruptions with the unique CamRock profile, and this board has exceptional edge hold for the beginner to intermediate rider. I did notice that at higher speeds and with more laid out turns that the underbite would feel catchy, as if it wanted to pull me into the turn before I was ready. A quick detuned of the edge from the nose and tail to the underbite reduced this reaction.
Flex Personality
I rank the Yes Basic as a mid-soft flex leaning more toward a medium flex. I found that it performed well for a user-friendly board. The board did not feel like a hard charger that could handle tucking down a run or maneuvering through variable conditions at high speeds, but I was able to get it up to moderate speeds on smoother conditions, and it performed well enough. I did not find it to have much pop, and it required some effort to Ollie off the base. However, when ollieing off the edge, it performed much better.
Uneven Snow
The riders’ experience on the Basic in uneven snow is going to be largely dictated by their skill level and speed. At higher speeds, this board tended to feel loose underfoot when transferring from smooth to uneven surfaces. It required on-the-spot adjustments to maintain speed and control. At slower speeds, the camber profile lifted the front of the board and helped it track through variable conditions without losing control.
Speed
This board was intended for the all-around rider, including the beginner rider. Any time I get on a board that is meant for a wide spectrum of riders, I try to ride the board as fast as I can to see if it is limited. In this case, it is. It performed great when traversing a cat track, when riding down green and blue runs with low-angle slopes, and when transferring to uneven terrain at lower speeds. Once you took it to higher angle slopes at higher speeds, it began to feel insecure and chattery. If you are an advanced to expert rider, this board will leave you wanting more
Base Glide
Extruded base provides great base glide when properly waxed.
Turning Experience/Carving
The W’s Basic transfers onto the edge quickly and holds through a variety of turning radii at moderate speeds. I found that it really shined when doing quick, short to medium turns, and only ran into problems when I attempted to do straight line turns or relax turns where higher speed and the angle of your body initiates the turn. I was not able to get it into a hard carve as the flex profile would wash out at the speeds necessary to carve, and the lack of pop kept the board from springing out of turns. This board is designed to give the rider a more upright turning experience.
Powder
I was not able to get this board in true powder conditions. The early rise in the nose could help the rider stay above the snow pack, but the board is a true twin and has very little capacity to be set back. It has zero taper and a relatively narrow nose, requiring the rider to lean back into their back leg to keep the nose lifted above the snow. This would likely burn out the rider quickly. If you are looking for a powder-specific board, consider a directional board with a larger taper, wider nose, and the ability to setback the stance over 3 inches.
Switch/Jumps/Pipe/Jibs
Other than the ability to ride this board switch, there is very little that would lead me to believe this board belonged in a freestyle setting. The lack of pop and disrupted edge would make this board difficult to use in a park setting. Unless the rider intended to detune the edge to nonexistence, the underbite edge would feel catchy on boxes or rails.
Final Thoughts
The Yes W’s Basic really embodies its name. Giving a beginner to intermediate rider the ability to master the basics. It can handle lower-angle runs in a variety of conditions and allows the rider to progress without the board getting in the way. However, it does have its limitations. Its performance is greatly impacted by higher speeds and higher skill levels. The flex and camrock profile can begin to feel unstable and chattery when riding high-angle slopes at higher speeds, and the true twin shape limits its ability to perform in powder conditions.
YES Basic Past Reviews
This is a look at the Yes W Basic. (Previously the Yes Emoticon). This board has been a long time Good Ride Favorite and continues to deliver even after the name change. The W Basic is still the same board it has always been. It is a fun inspiring true twin board that can take you top to bottom, and through the park too. It has great edge hold on ice and comes with a 4/10 flex.
This review covers the 2023 W Basic, but nothing has changes with the 2024 version. So this review is still relevant with the 2024 Yes W Basic as well
Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average rider’s perspective.
Size: 143
Days: 30+ (Steph owns this)
Conditions: A variety of snow conditions as Steph owns this board.
Riders: Steph
Boots: Vans Luna (W 7.5)
Bindings: Union Legacy (Size M), Union Ultra (Size Med)
Set Up: Centered 15 front -15 back 20.5? wide
Sizes Available
143, 146, 149, 152
Camber Profile
The Yes W Basic comes with Yes’ CamRock profile. This is a mellow positive camber between the feet going to rocker on the nose and tail. This gives the W Basic a good connection to the snow and nice pop and edge hold. But it still has a forgiving and somewhat loose feel on the snow without feeling unstable.
Base
The W Basic comes with an extruded base.
Speed
It’s not a bomber board and gets chattery at higher speeds. For an extruded base it keeps it’s speed well and doesn’t have to be waxed too much. Extruded bases are slower than sintered bases but extruded bases are tougher and don’t have to be waxed as much.
Flex
The 4/10 gives the W Basic a good mix of playfulness and stability. It is easy and fun to butter, ollie, and play on. But it has just enough stability to also be fun on groomers, steeps, off piste and more.
Kind of medium between the feet but pretty soft in the tip/tail. It makes for buttering that is incredibly easy.
Approximate Weight
Feels Normal to bordering on light.
On Snow Feel
The Yes W Basic is stable like a camber board but catch-free. It’s an easy board to one foot off the chair and easy board to get through long flat runs or cat tracks.
Turn Initiation
Quick and easy edge to edge. It’s a very easy board to turn. The waist width is only 237mm on the 143. Which helps keep it quick turning. The softer flex also makes twisting this board quite easy. This also helps with the fast turn initiation.
Edge Hold
The side cut is unique. It’s has two disruptions at each binding. It grips really well for it’s flex. At the same time, it’s not too grabby either in softer snow.
Powder
It does ok for being a true twin board. The rocker in the nose and tail helps with that. But if you see deeper powder days, it might be more fun to have a powder specific board on back up.
Carving
So if it wasn’t for the softer flex this would be a great carver but it can still lay into a really fun carve that will take you back uphill. I have a lot of fun carving this board because it is so easy to lay over, that fast, small radius carving is super fun. However, you can’t push it too hard because of the softer flex.
Uneven Terrain
Very easy to deal with the end of the day crowded resort snow.
Switch
Great for riding switch, or even learning switch. It’s a true twin, so you can ride with either direction and it will feel he same.
Jumps
Nice springy ollies and it’s fun hitting kickers in the park or finding things to launch off on the mountain.
Jibbing
Very easy jib board and it’s confidence inspiring. Good for more established jib riders, but also friendly enough to learn on.
Pipe
If you keep the edges sharp the W Basic is a pretty fun pipe board. It’s really forgiving and has enough edge hold to for sure ride pipe.
Overall
All in all, this is a very fun all mountain freestyle to freestyle board that has a soft and playful ride without being loose between the feet. It is friendly enough for an intermediate rider to get on and have a great time. But technical enough for more advanced riders looking for a playful board.
Want to snowboard with Stephanie?
Sign up for one of her camps or ride days!
Check out her company here: Altitude Attitude
Instagram: @altitude_snow
2021
The Yes Emoticon took the Yes Basic and shrunk it down for women. It’s got that same design as the men’s Yes Basic. That gives you a lot of all mountain to freestyle versatility at an affordable entry-level price. Not much changed from 2017 to 2021 with the Yes Emoticon. Except the reference stance width was narrowed a bit across the line with 2018. And the 2019 rocker/camber/rocker profile mellowed a bit from 4/4/4 to 3/2/3. It’s going to be a very subtle difference but overall, it rides very much the same as before.
Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average rider’s perspective.
Yes Emoticon 2015-2019 Snowboard Review
The Yes Emoticon’s camber profile allows the board to ride the same way in every condition out there without changing its stability or overall personality on you. That’s an intangible bonus that not many boards out there have in the hybrid rocker or rocker world.
Approximate Weight: Feels Normal to bordering on light.
On Snow Feel: The Yes Emoticon is stable like a camber board but catch-free. It’s an easy board to one foot off the chair and easy board to get through long flat runs or cat tracks.
Turn Initiation: Quick and easy edge to edge. It’s a very easy board to turn.
Flex: Kind of medium between the feet but pretty soft in the tip/tail. It makes for buttering that is incredibly easy. It’s so easy that some might not like it and others will take a little while to get used to. It’s probably the only thing I wish they could fix. It would be great if it was a little stiffer.
Edge Hold: The side cut is unique. It’s has two disruptions at each binding. So 4 waves per edge that grips really well for it’s flex. At the same time, it’s not too grabby either in softer snow.
Powder: There is more volume in the nose and less volume in the tail so when you are in powder it has a better directional float.
Carving: So if it wasn’t for the softer flex this would be a great carver but it can still lay into a really fun carve that will take you back uphill.
Speed: It’s not a bomber board and gets chattery at higher speeds. For an extruded base it keeps it’s speed well and doesn’t have to be waxed too much. Extruded bases are slower than sintered bases but extruded bases are tougher and don’t have to be waxed as much.
Uneven Terrain: Very easy to deal with the end of the day crowded resort snow.
Switch: Pretty easy either way.
Jumps: Nice springy ollies and it’s fun hitting kickers in the park or finding things to launch off on the mountain.
Jibbing: Very easy jib board and it’s confidence inspiring.
Pipe: If you keep the edges sharp and don’t jib the Emoticon is a pretty fun pipe board. It’s really forgiving and has enough edge hold to for sure ride pipe.
All in all, this is a very fun all mountain freestyle to freestyle board that has a soft and playful ride without being loose between the feet.
Paige’s Perspective
The YES. Emoticon is an all mountain freestyle board that will boost your confidence in whatever conditions you are in and will inspire you to be creative in your riding.
This board made riding in sub-par conditions really enjoyable. The Underbite gives you confidence in hard and icy conditions but also provides a catch-free ride in softer snow. I was able to maintain speed and edge hold with ease while riding through ice patches. This side cut also helps you maintain precise control throughout each phase of your turn.
Although the Emoticon has a soft flex (4/10), it still manages to make carving feel pretty breezy. The soft flex also makes buttering almost effortless.
The combination of a true twin shape and a camrock profile create a board that is playful but also stable at higher speeds. Even when off-piste, the Emoticon manages to maintain stability and control.
Even though I demoed an Emoticon that was larger than my preferred riding size, it was still extremely responsive and easy to maneuver.
The Emoticon rocks an extruded base. This means you can feel free to go hard on those jibs, as scratches are easier to fix on this type of base. Extruded bases also retain wax more efficiently, making you able to quickly pick up and maintain your speed.
This is a great board for intermediate to advanced riders who are looking to push themselves in the park and all over the mountain. It will give you the confidence to try new things in your riding, but is forgiving enough to allow you to make mistakes along the way. Even in seasons without ideal conditions, you will still be able to have a great time on the Emoticon.
2017
YES Basic Specs
YES Basic Images
We try to get as many images of the YES Basic, but forgive us if they're not all there.
2023
2022
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2018
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2011
YES Basic User Reviews
Very fun board to ride!
This board is an upgrade to my older Ride, camber and stiffer board. I just loved every minute on it! It was so fun to ride, playful and hard enough when I wanted to push my turns and go faster. Very easy to flats, very easy to turn, nice catch to harder snow. I did my first butters on it. Generally gave me so much confidence when I wanted to go faster. It was pretty stable and never gave me up with unpredictable catch or swinging tale. The only cons I found on it was that it was running a bit deep off piste and wasn't very fast, but not significantly. All in all I had an amazing time with my new board. It felt so much positively different, stable and responsive than my previous board, that I would definatelly recommend it to someone looking for a board to have fun all day long on the ski resort!
Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
Dreamruns
Geartrade
More stores to buy from:
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
Dreamruns
Geartrade
BlueTomato Belgium
BlueTomato France
BlueTomato Sweden
BlueTomato Denmark
BlueTomato Finland
BlueTomato Belgium
BlueTomato France
BlueTomato Sweden
BlueTomato Denmark
BlueTomato Finland
BlueTomato Italy
BlueTomato UK
BlueTomato Netherlands
BlueTomato Austria
BlueTomato Germany
BlueTomato Spain
SnowCountry
PRFO Sports Canada
More stores to buy from:
PRFO Sports Canada
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
Dreamruns
Geartrade
BlueTomato Belgium
BlueTomato France
BlueTomato Sweden
BlueTomato Denmark
BlueTomato Finland
PRFO Sports Canada
Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
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