Board: Yes. PYL (Pick Your Line)
Size: 159
Camber Option: Directional CamRocker. More rocker in the nose and less in the tail, with an offset traditional camber.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 22.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 T1 DB Size 10
My Weight: 170lbs
Resort: Breckenridge
Conditions: Early morning firm spring groomers with sugar snow in the shady ungroomed areas. Sunny blue skies with high wind.
Flex: True directional flex with a softer nose and stiffening up as it goes towards the tail. I would put it slightly above a middle of the road all mountain freestyle or slightly below a stiffer directional freeride board. The torsional give was highly abundant.
Stability: With more rocker in the nose on groomers I noticed a lot of flapping in the tip. This translated to chatter resonating back to the front binding. Other than that though, there was very little chatter that this board didn’t absorb. While lively it was still damp and fun to get into varying terrain and not worry about it washing out or bucking me.
Ollies: This board has some good snap especially if you loaded just your back foot to pop. This is due to the directional camrocker. I feel if I had gotten this into some softer snow with natural features I would have been boosting off everything in sight.
Butterability: The nose is really long and has a lot of rocker. You can press into it on a 180 to butter real well. I do recommend having some speed behind you when you do it as at slow speeds it was a bit hooky.
Carving: Here’s the thing that sets this board apart from other boards that are meant to be versatile enough to ride powder and still hit the resort. Those boards usually end up sacrificing edge hold on firm or icy snow, this board did not. Instead it bit in to a carve and let you drive the board. With the directional flex you could slingshot out of turns and transition into the next carve. Over all this board is meant for high speed carving as at slow speeds the turns just sort of skid around.
Rider in Mind: The guy that’s going to pick his line and go where he wants and needs a board that isn’t afraid to float and carve.
Personal Thoughts: God I wish I could have gotten this into some deep snow. I think this board would have been really at home there. While in some soft sugary snow in the shade I could feel the tail sink down an inch or so with ease. The edge hold on this board is great for what this board is geared for as it’s not a predominately resort oriented deck.
Comparable Boards: Rossignol Templar, K2 Turbo Dream, Ride Berzerker
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This board was loaned to us for review from Yes Snowboards marketing department.
*Disclaimer this board did not change for 2018 so we carried the 2017 review over.
70 Comments
PYL as a daily driver? I want to take it between trees, but nothing crazy tight, just tree gulleys etc.
Intermediate rider – will this board eat me alive or is it possible?
It’s possible, might make you a better rider to step up your game.
Sweet, so now I just need to sack up and pick , but how the hell do you decide…
Stuck at YES. PYL, Capita Kazu, Jones MT twin or Arbor Element.
Price, graphics, and how fast you can feel gratification.
Dear sir
I just recently moved up to intermediate. Im looking for a board to do mainly groomers and offpiste. Nothing crazy amount of powder. Just ducking in and out of trees, jumping of natural stuff. My bones doesn’t allow for park. What could be a playful and a bit forgiving freeride board? PYL seems to hardcore.
It is a bit much for what you’re describing, check out the Rossignol One.
Trying to figure out if this is a straight forward board or one that people say you can size up or down with. I’m 5’9 230 10.5 boot and wondering if the 162 or 165 would beat fit me.
Either of them work.
Hey,
I’m wanting to really improve my carving this season. Have an 11.5 boot . The PYL w is 26 cm . Wide enough to really get on edge or should I look at the Optimistic?
Cheers
It’s fine for it.
I was looking into a PYL. I am 5’9 140 lbs but I wear a size 10 boot. Do you think I would experience a lot of toe drag on a 156? If so do you think a 159 is too much board considering my light weight?
I know for a fact you won’t.
Hi Angry,
Love your reviews. I probably watched every one of them.
I have been looking for a free riding all mountain board for the Northeast icy Condition.
I am an intermediate to advanced rider. I am considering between Jones Flagship, Yes PYL, United Shape Orbit, and Capita Mercury. What would be your recommendation?
Also, what do you think about Capitia Supernova ? the reason I asked because it is on sale now.
Flagship will have the best edge hold. I don’t think about it.
Dude, I picked up a Yes PYL off of one of your recs and I freaking love this thing. Just got it and did 4 days during Tahoe’s epic storm last week and it was so damn fun and the board was easier to butter than I had imagined it would be. Anyway, I’m looking to get a board to balance out the PYL for a 2 board quiver. I want a twin board that is all-mountain capable where I can focus on riding switch all day and buttering like a damn dairy farmer. Any suggestions? I thought about the DC PLY
Ply makes sense if you want to butter till your heart explodes.
Hi
I’m 5’11”,200lbs and size 11 Burton imperial boots. Looking at the yes pyl. Was wondering if I could get away with the 162 at 25.5 waist width. Mainly riding east coast
Should be fine.
Hi Angry,
Hope you are well.
I have been through your reviews way more than healthy and I am stuck in between boards.
I am an advanced rider (20+ years), 37 years old, 1.8m, 83kgs.
I am thinking to get a compliment to my Mind Expander.
Obviously the ME would be my board of choice on most powder day (unless just a few inches covering crusty hard snow) and I also really enjoyed it on spring days.
I would use the new board for any other days, so groomers/hard pack only days (if I have to) or looking for hidden powder in trees which means riding through chopped up possibly crusty snow, so I am looking for something reasonably damp.
I am also looking for something that can carve and I may also use it to improve my switch which I have never put too much work into. The ME worked reasonably well last year on soft groomers.
My choices are:
– Yes Standard (159? or even 156). I quite like the idea of the mid bite and the fact that it is quite a wide board.
– Yes PYL (160W)
– Sims Toms Sims Pro (159W).
After a few years of shitty rental gear, I have ridden the ME and a Hovercraft split for the last 2 years. Never been happier riding, so not sure what to expect to going mostly full camber again with the Sims. Would I lose a lot in term of powder and forgiveness?
My Local shop would get me 15% on the Yes, but I can get 37% on the Sims (so £327 for the Sims vs £450 for the PYL)
I feel that is probably between the PYL and the Sims, but definitely could do with your advice.
Also, I have some Now Pilots, would that be ok?
Sorry for the long text.
All the best,
Franck
Oh, and what about side hits?
Thanks
The Sims will carve the best of the 3. The Standard will be the best for switch and the PYL will be the most well rounded. You’re not going to lose too much in the pow with full camber, you’re just going to have to learn that you’ll get a little more leg burn is all.
The Now’s are fine.
Thanks!
Say we get the Standard out of the equation as I guess it comes to personal choice, which one would you pick between the Sims and the PYL?
Which one is the more damp? Best for riding switch? Best for side hits? Best for chopped up snow?
PYL will be better for switch, Sims will be the most damp and push through chunder easier. Side hits it comes down to you knowing how to hit one.
Fair enough.
Thanks a lot!
6’2 175lb will be mainly using this for off piste riding. My boot size is 11 what size you recommend out of the bunch? . Was thinking about the 164 wide? Typically I would lean towards the 162 but I don’t think it’s wide enough.
64 seems a bit big. Have you looked at the Hybrid from Yes instead or The Y?
5”11, 185 lbs, size 10 boot. Debating between 159 or 162.
Trying to get a feeling of how “big” this will ride. I want the speed, power, and stability of a bigger board, but don’t want to lose agility. Will be on groomers and some powder.
It rides fairly normal for its size. If you’re doing less powder and more carving 62 should be fine. If you’re riding more powder in the trees and need that nimbleness 59.
I am 5’10 172lbs 10.5 boots could I get away with the 159 or should I go with 160w? I’ve never ridden a wide board and I am wondering how it will affect the responsiveness and edge to edge speed. Either way I can’t wait to try this board out, sounds like a blast to ride.
You should be fine on the 59. All a wide is going to do is give you more surface area so you don’t boot out.
Heard good things about this board and wanting to try something new as my Ride Berzerker is currently on its way out.. what would be some of the noticeable differences between the PYL and Ride Berzerker?
Im Looking for a daily driver/one quiver board. Looking at the Iguchi pro camber and YES standard. any other recommendations?
I am 190lbs, 6,2ft and 10.5 boots.
Riding resorts and enjoying carving, side hits, and powder shredding when it dumps, minimal park. So looking for that board that can do it all.
It’s going to be a little more forgiving in terms of flex, sidecut grips different under foot, and the spring in the board is easier to load up.
Im 5’9 / 195lbs / sz 10 boot. Just ordered the 162 PYL yesterday instead of the 159 like I was originally going to get based on other PYL owners feedback and the Yes. weight recommendations. Do you think that’ll be too big or should I swap it for the 159?
Riding is going to be mostly east coast hard pack groomers and trees. So was between the PYL and burton skeleton key since I wanted something good for that And carving on but also fairly well rounded. Would you say the PYL is the better overall choice?
You’re fine on the size due to your weight, only possible issue is might be a bit sluggish in tight trees but you can compensate for that as a rider. PYL is definitely the better choice.
hi angry,
Specs 170 lbs 6ft 10.5 boot, recommend the 160 wide? tree riding pow all mountain use etc. too big and sluggish or the best fit between this and jones mind expander 58?
cheers black friday sales got me in decisive ha
Don’t know if you necessarily need the wide with a 10.5 boot or not. I’m going to throw out another one for you the 154 Yes Hybrid.
Hi Angry
Love your reviews, they’ve been super helpful.
I’m an intermediate rider looking to progress my riding. I’m 6’1, 205lb, size 12 boot.
I live in Australia so don’t get the chance to ride every year, I’m in Whistler now for the next two months though, not working, so intend to ride a lot. Most of my riding to date has been I guess resort freeriding, if that’s a thing (?). I like to carve blues and blacks, go reasonably fast and hit powder when it’s there. Most of my powder riding has been fairly low angle, but I want to get into some steeper stuff. I like tree runs, little jumps, natural features etc. No park riding and not really interested in it.
I’m riding an old Rome Tour, twin flat/rocker board that I got as an all rounder (although reading about it now I think its a bit of a park-angled board). I want to get a directional freeride board, but something not too advanced/unforgiving. After this Whistler trip the places I’m likely to ride most will be Australia (pretty icy conditions) and Japan (looking for powder, of course).
The boards I’ve been thinking about are:
– YES PYL / hybrid
– lib tech orca / BRD
– Ride Warpig
I’ve tested out a few boards here in whistler, but only on groomers so couldn’t really assess powder capability. I tried the t.rice pro and the orca and liked them both, probably the orca a bit more. I liked the Warpig too but the reviews of it aren’t that good, and I feel like I may have just liked it because it felt familiar being a flat based board like the one I ride now. I tried the Ride Bezerker but that felt too edgy for me.
Anyway I’d be really grateful for any suggestions. I want something I can progress with, but that I can still ride if I go a year or two without seeing snow.
Thanks
Get the Hybrid.
Thanks for the response mate! Can you explain the preference for this rather than the PYL? Sorry to hassle but just keen to understand the differences a bit!
Cheers
For what you’re describing I think that would be the best option and when you get back to Australia if you do go up and ride it won’t hinder you.
Got it, thank you, I’m picking one up tomorrow!
Hi! PYL 159 or Jones Ultra Mind Expander 158 is stiffer? Which one is better and agile for powder tree riding for my specs, 5’10, 180 lb, 10us boots? Thanks!
Ultra will be stiffer, that’s why it’s the Ultra. PYL will be more nimble.
Thanks! Which one has better float in pow!
They both float.
Hi,
I already own a Mind Expander 150 and a T Rice Pro 153, would the 156 PYL compliment that quiver? Also at 5’6 and 145lbs would the 156 be too much board? Thanks!
Honestly I think that would be too much overlap between the two.
Thanks very much!
Hey Angry,
Looking to upgrade my 10 year old twin camber board with an all around board that will perform better in powder, is agile in the trees, and also fun on groomer days (carving, side hits, buttering). I’m looking mainly at the Yes NSB or Capita Mercury, but I’m also intrigued by the PYL. I enjoy riding some switch, is that out of the picture with a tapered board or is it something that could be overcome by learning the board? Which option sounds best?
You’ll probably be fine on the PYL honestly.
Thanks man. I see you’re big on the Niche Maelstrom. How does the PYL stack up to the Maelstrom? I’m 6’0″, 175lb (thinking 159 PYL vs 157 or 160 Maelstrom)
The tail on the PYL doesn’t sink as well as the Maelstrom. Maelstrom is only slightly better on edge. Flex is about the same over all. I’d say you’re in all three of those size runs it really comes down to what you want to do.
How capable is the pyl switch? In regards to backcountry booters or setting up half cab lines off cliffs? Have a sickstick 57 split, want something similar but stiffer and slightly more directional for gnarlier days with sled access.
Shouldn’t be an issue if you actually know how to ride.
Hi, looking for a freeride/pow board. Ride CAD Rockies, Purcells etc. in all conditions and terrain. Sometimes ride with my family sometimes with skier friends who are knuckleheads who bomb. I’m trying to decide between a PYL or Skeleton Key. Kind of different boards I suppose. Thoughts?
Skeleton Key is a little more aggressive off the tail and has more power out of a turn. PYL is better for being laid back on.
Hi, dad here looking for a directional snowboard that can ride the whole mountain and still be able to be relaxed and lazy when riding with the family.
My riding consits of mostly all mountain aspect, I dont venture into the park unless its to follow the kids and the occasional jump. But its like max 10% of my time spent. Other than that its exploring the mountain and searching for pow. I mainly ride in Norway, so there isnt that much powder, but I still look for pockets of the stuff and then tree riding and gulleys is my thing. Other than its groomers and finding natural stuff to have fun on. Switch isnt either a big priority for me.
Thought about being a swiss army knife quiver of one boards from your list, eg. Mercury or mountain twin, but I thought since I dont ride switch for really venture into the park that much Ive been looking at the following boards instead:
Superpig, PYL, Maelstrom, Neversummer Westbound and DWD KWON
You don’t want a Westbound or a Kwon just not worth it for your type of riding. Maelstrom is probably the best one out of the other three for you.
Hi Angry, Great reviews. Love how you get right to the point. That said, could use your incisive advice. been boarding for 20+ years have a small quiver of oldies but usually end up spending 80-90% on the newest one. I Rode a 160 palmer honeycomb (which I loved) for almost a decade until it started getting creaky, then a rome 155 agent rocker because i wanted something more playful for park/pipe but as I’ve gotten older I’ve been doing less park and more focused on powder riding steeps and in trees so last few years have been on a 151 Yes Optimistic which I”ve loved (almost as much as my palmer). I ride mostly tahoe resorts with expert skiers who I also have to keep up with but i def pick my own lines, so, at 5’9 155. I’ve been looking at the PYL 156/159, the Jones flagship 158/161, or taking a gamble on the salomon dancehaul 147. Also open to other suggestions. Please help put me out of my misery 😉
You don’t want the Dance Haul it’s not what fits with your style. I’d say the PYL is probably the best of the three for what you’re describing.
Thanks! Any thoughts on whether that board is better to ride longer (159) or shorter (156)?
Love the reviews- thanks for being a helpful resource. Lookin to buy a new deck for the first time in a long time and looking to get something more appropriate for my riding style. Most of my riding is tree riding or cat riding. I’m 5’10, 150-155 lbs, and coming from a Forum Substance 152.
Would you recommend the 156 or 159? I’m looking for more float than my current 152 in deep powder, but I’m anxious about sacrificing maneuverability in trees.
I’d go with a 56 if you stick with a regular shaped board or get a volume shifted board and not worry about length as it’ll still have optimal float.
This is great, thanks for the reviews!
I’m looking at buying a PYL 2021 as a one board quiver and shelving my old [2005] Custom X 156, but have always felt I wanted to just slightly down size. My style of riding is thick trees and pow hunting, but almost always in a Resort environment (albeit more technical, BC, mountains).
5’9, 155lbs, Size 9 boot.
I’ve read the PYL rides a bit shorter, i.e. effective edge is shorter than same size Custom X (for example).
Therefore I’m considering either a 156 or a 159 in the PYL.
Any advice?
Thanks!
56 for sure.
Great thread. I’m 6 foot, 175 pounds, 10 shoe and looking at the PYL To ride on groomers, powder and trees. Would 159 work well?
I’d probably go a little smaller.
Awesome thank you! Any specific bindings you would recommend to go with this board?
Searching for single board – 6’ 210 12 boot-
Love the hard charge and to be able to carve it. Mainly East crazy conditions- wanted to go pantara- but not sure how that will do on lazy days at the resort chasing kids. No park , jib butters, free ride only. Want to be able to open it up and bomb but also not be stuck when slow or right – better then pantara ? Or anything else ?
Pantera is a completely different ride.