Location: Mammoth, CA
Snow Conditions: Hardpacked morning snow to softpacked slushy afternoon snow.
Setup: I rode the YES Big City with Union Team bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.
Size: 156cm.
First Impression: Don’t let the graphics or name fool you. This board is not meant for city riders, it’s an aggressive mountain board.
Weight: Average
Flex: The Big City is described as a medium flex but it’s on the stiffer flex end compared to most boards. It’s a directional twin with a stiffer longitdinally and torsional flex. It has a softer nose to help with float in powder. It’s overall on the stiffer end for a freestyle board. The Big City has freeride camrock which means camber between the bindings then more rocker in the nose of the board for added float, less rocker in the tail of the board. The freeride camrock is also setback on the board.
Turning: This is an aggressive snowboard. It’s quick, unforgiving and needs a rider who knows how to ride. The sidecut is very snappy and will want quickness each time you lay it on edge. It was definitely a board that you can’t go easy on, it requires no lazyness and will buck you off if you aren’t riding it hard enough.
Stable: The Big City was a mix of stability. The first time I rode it, I held an edge through some rough patches of sloppy snow and found myself making out with the snow. It can handle slop but if you are on edge, it’ll likely dive into the snow and not bounce back. It’s a tough board, it can handle speed and it makes you want to go fast. But it’s not as forgiving if something happens.
Pop: Decent pop but I only played with it on the limited park features at the end of the season (mostly small jumps and a barrel bonk feature). The stiffer flex made it ideal for jumps, stability on landings and made pressing/buttering a lot of work.
Switch: Definitely an aggressive board so riding switch on it required more effort with the set back but it’s a directional twin so it can handle it.
Overall Impression: The Big City is described as a “freestyle charger with the ability to float.” It’s definitely a charging board, it’s aggressive and not meant for someone who wants a forgiving ride, this board is not forgiving.
Shay’s Honesty Box: I would have loved to get this board out in the winter conditions (maybe this year) and really get the best feel for the type of riding this board is meant for. It’s aggressive, fast and takes the whole mountain by storm.
Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the YES Big City or shop their full line ofYes snowboards
On Snow Photo
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On-Snow Video
YES Big City description
Review Disclosure: I received this board from YES Snowboards and at this point in time have no idea if I’m returning it or keeping it.
ming hsu
September 29, 2011 at 7:23 amCan I ask how you would compare this to say, the older 2010 yes asymmetrical? Sounds a tad more aggressive.
Spencer
September 29, 2011 at 11:54 amNice reviews Shay! How would you compare the Big City to the Capita TFA? Looking for a daily Baker in/out of bounds ripper. Was the Big City or pick your line stiffer in flex?
Pete
September 29, 2011 at 8:45 pmI have a comparison question also. How did this ride compared with the Optimistic from last season? I found the Optimistic to be pretty forgiving, and a real fun ride.
Rico
September 30, 2011 at 8:44 pmHey Shay another comparison question hahah. Big City and Pick Your Line?
Shay
October 13, 2011 at 9:48 pmMing, felt more aggressive.
Spencer, Big City felt stiffer than the PYL which was a bit more playful/forgiving. TFA was also a bit more fun/playful over the Big City. I still have the Big City for this winter so I’ll be putting more time on it especially in pow when I get the chance to compare.
Pete, A lot more stiffer, charging and aggressive. It’s a dominant board.
Rico, PYL is more forgiving/playful. Big City is stiffer, aggressive. PYL when I rode it never encountered any issues with it. Big City bucked me a couple times…on groomers.
Rico
October 15, 2011 at 5:02 pmThat’s interesting since the PYL is DCP’s directional freeride shred stick.
Shay
October 16, 2011 at 12:59 pmRico, DCP’s riding this stick as well.
Chris
December 15, 2011 at 5:43 pmShay,
Great review. I want to pick this up as my quiver of one board. I ride groomers, powder, and trees (mainly freeride). I know it has a softer tip and tail, but heard it’s really stiff where the camber is. How did or does the Big City handle carves at high speeds.
Thanks
Tycho
January 11, 2012 at 12:40 pmSo Shay, have you got a chance to ride this board yet? What are your thoughts?