Every snowboard has a story worth telling. Because somewhere, someone with a vision set out to have a board that can help us ride better, or shred faster, or jump higher. We’ve seen the rise and fall of mainstream hype towards snowboarding so even the larger companies know that it’s pointless to make mass-produced garbage that people won’t buy (unless you’re one of those rediculous designer brands fleecing people with one of those ridiculous collabs).
But this story… this one I’m here about to tell you, is about a board. And I only mention it because sometimes there’s a board… I won’t say “Hero”, because what’s a hero? Sometime’s there’s a board…. and I’m talking about the YES. Send’r XTRM here. But sometimes there’s a board…well, it’s the board for their time and place. It fits right in there. And that’s this board we’re talking about.
And if that quote above brings a twinkle of nostalgia to your eye, we are probably of the same cohort that cut their teeth snowboarding in the late 90’s and 2000’s, a time that was much simpler, in many respects, before we saw our sport rise from being a counterculture nuisance to the pinnacle of mainstream. And with that rise, came those in fancy suits, seeing the “market” hungry for the latest and greatest, and serving people who wanted to look the part but faded away once it became time to log enough miles to really take shape.
And now, we have come full circle, it seems. Brands have come and gone and the ones left standing are back to making boards for snowboarders—not just people who snowboard, but real snowboarders who want to push themselves. And this latest board that I tested from YES. is just that: a board that, if you learn how to use it properly, will make you pop higher and land smoother.
For this review, I wore the Jones Mercury FASE bindings, and you can click the link to get an in-depth review on those.
YES. Sender XTRM: A Review
Stats:
Price: $630 USD
Sizes: 149, 152, 155, 155W, 158, 159W, 161
Size Tested: 158
Camber: Classic/Traditional
Shape: True Twintip
Sidecut: Multi-radius (different radii at different points)
Base: Sintered Polyethelene
Core: Poplar/Paulowina/Bamboo
Fiberglass: Triax Construction
Bottom Line: This is an ultra-responsive board for those who know how to get the most out of it. Beginners and blue-runners will probably hate it. Intermediates progressing and advanced riders will absolutely love the pop it generates.
First Impressions of the YES. Sender XTRM
I was able to test this board last spring, so I’ll add the disclaimer that, as of this being published, I have NOT ridden the board in mid-winter pow. To me, that is the pinnacle of snowboarding, and you can’t have a board claiming to be an all-mountain powerhouse unless it can slay a 40cm day in Whistler. And I did mange to get in some days in the 6-inch range, which is enough to see how it can hold up when the bottom begins to disappear.
But that said, this board is likely better suited to hard pack anyway, thanks to how well it pops. It’s all in the name, anyway – Sender! And it Fckn Sends!
That’s it—that’s my first impression that suits this section. It pops huge. The more you load it, the more it springs up. And so I have to make a second disclaimer that the board is really well suited to a more advanced rider that knows how to load a board and get it to pop effectively. Those who aren’t may find it too stiff and a bit awkward when hitting jumps.
Notable Features of the YES. Sender XTRM
The standout feature of the Sender XTRM is, without a doubt, the back-to-basics setup of the traditional camber. Snowboard companies promised us everything with new rocker, cam-rock, jam-rock, and yacht rock, but it’s nice to see the features come full circle and realize that traditional camber still rocks (no pun intended).
Seriously, though—the traditional camber isn’t a do-everything type setup, but the things it does really well (given the right board construction) is POP! And popping is what the Sender XTRM does best. Give that also a nod to the superior construction. YES. boards come from Nidecker, the parent company to so many other boards we know and love (Jones, Bataleon, Rome, and more).
Some may bemoan that it’s not really a “Core” Brand, but the beauty of Nidecker is that they really do leave their sub-brands up to the design and just focus on construction. There’s something to be said for uniting the construction forces together.
So the construction is at the top level. They also do a pre break-in of the board to ensure the ride you start out with won’t change over time. This is a nice addition, considering many boards lose their flex after the first dozen or so rides. This board already has that cooked in, so the flex you start out with will last much longer than if it were hot off the press.
Drawbacks to the YES. Sender XTRM
There honestly aren’t too many drawbacks to this board if you know what you’re getting. And what you’re getting is a board with a solid flex, durable construction, and a camber that is well suited for people who like to open up and yes… send it.
The big drawback I’ll put to the fire is the multi-radial sidecut. Feels like more of a gimmick to me. I get it that if you want to put more spin on the tip and tail, but the difference is negligable at best. The wider nose and straighter edge seems to be more of a differentiating factor here. Maybe I just need more miles on it. But if that feature ended up costing more, I don’t know if it was really worth it.
Final Thoughts
The YES. Sender XTRM is a nice throwback to the good ol’ days when snowboarding wasn’t inundated with new features every year. The design is simple and lends itself to people who truly know how to ride. If you know how to properly pop, and load the board full of energy, then you’ll find this a beast off of jumps and sidehits.
Speed in soft snow is great, but if you prefer more surf-style maneuvers, you probably want something with a bit of a rocker and a more directional profile. But for launching and turning while pinning it, this board is an absolute unit.
This is our effort to give nonbiased, honest Gear Reviews in a time where that is a rarity. We always seek to provide helpful information without trying to sell too much. We do have the occasional affiliate link to help with costs, but we never sell out. Each recommendation comes from the heart and soul.
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Steve Andrews is a lifelong adventurer since before he could walk. A skier since age 2, snowboarder since 11, he began his guiding career in 2007. He has a passion for teaching people how to fish, and helping them discover their own power in the mountians. He started Alpine Islands to give people a different take on achieving mastery in the wild (hint: you’re never a master of Mother Nature). He lives in Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia with his partner and two kids.
