Freeride backcountry skis
Product 2026
Woman, Man
Given its generous width, the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 108 is designed for deep, soft snow—and in those conditions, it truly shines. We tested it first in beautiful dry powder, then in heavier, wetter snow, and it handled both with ease. The long, progressive front rocker starts low and extends in a smooth arc toward the tip, allowing the ski to float effortlessly and stay composed in variable snow. This rocker profile is a real highlight: regardless of snow density, the Helio Carbon 108 remains responsive and dependable.
The tip never chatters through snow piles, and the ski feels fluid in all situations. The tail has a subtle rise—well-judged and perfectly balanced—which enhances maneuverability. That’s one of the defining traits of the Helio Carbon 108: it pivots with incredible ease. The tapered tail shape also contributes to this agility, making turns effortless even when the snow is soft and not very supportive. The ski feels intuitive and confidence-inspiring underfoot.
On firmer snow and steeper terrain, the Helio Carbon 108 continues to perform predictably. Edge grip is solid. With its 24-meter turning radius, it’s clearly designed for speed and big, sweeping turns. Yet, even at moderate speeds on flatter terrain, the ski can pivot easily without requiring much effort or advanced technique—making it suitable for a wide range of skiers, not just experts.
When you engage the edge on firmer snow to carve turns, the more you lean and pressure the ski, the shorter the turn radius becomes. You do need to manage edge angles and pressure carefully, but it’s clear that the Helio Carbon 108 isn’t built for short, quick turns—it’s a ski that loves space and flow.
Despite the tested length of 180 cm, the ski feels easy to handle and can be skied slightly longer thanks to its pivot-friendly nature. It remains smooth and balanced at all speeds. The recommended boot center mark is spot-on—there’s no need to mount bindings further forward.
Another major advantage of the Helio Carbon 108 is its light weight—under 1600 g per ski. Its traditional construction (ABS sidewalls, poplar wood core) gives it a well-calibrated flex. A very aggressive freerider might find its limits at high speeds, but sizing up—as suggested—will help compensate.
The ski includes a notch at the tail for attaching climbing skins, and when paired with lightweight Low Tech touring bindings, the combo is ideal. The overall finish and construction quality are excellent.
In short, the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 108 performs admirably across all snow types and terrains while reducing the physical effort often required in deep or variable snow. It offers an outstanding balance of lightness, agility, and performance—a superb choice for off-piste and backcountry skiers. Excellent flex tuning, a phenomenal tip that helps in all snow conditions, and remarkable ease of use.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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