Freeride backcountry skis
Product 2021
Woman, Man
This is the wider version of the Black Diamond Helio 88, which we also tested.
The question that immediately arises is: should you buy the 88 or the 95? With a minimal difference in weight (around 100g), the choice is obvious: the 95. Because the Black Diamond Helio 95 is much smoother on the descent, you can lengthen the turn more without getting stuck in turns that are too long.
The Black Diamond Helio 95 is more reassuring. For example, if you are riding a long downhill in powder doing large curves, you can consider a run at full speed. The beautiful tip lift and the waist width lets you see the slopes with much more serenity because you are confident underfoot.
You can let the ski get carried away, it doesn’t automatically oversteer, even if it pivots easily in all configurations both on and off the piste.
This is a more interesting ski than the 88 despite its slightly longer edge-to-edge transition. You get even more grip by taking a bit more angle to bite the edge. Anyway, the ride is better. It absorbs the ground’s irregularities well.
The front of the Black Diamond Helio 95 makes a little more noise than the 88. It’s pleasant to ski but you have to pay attention in chop because otherwise the skis can cross.
It is a light ski; you need to put weight on it; good skiers can. A less experienced skier can ski it in a completely upright stance, flat. It pivots, you have fun with it and above all it helps you out in messy snow, at any rate, better than the Helio 88, which isn’t wide enough.
On the uphill, the Helio 95, with its very straight side cuts it also does well, except when it’s steep, crossways on icy slopes where it is less efficient. For the rest it’s more or less the same.
A ski made by Blizzard. It has a super glide, chic craftmanship; no complaints. We love the beautiful and sleek design.
The Black Diamond Helio 95 is a good ski with a classic design, coherent flex, good grip on hard snow, not exceptional but present. Its grip is effective in most circumstances. Light on the climb, it is especially good in deep snow and not easy to handle.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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