Expert skier. 5’11”, 175lbs. New York ADK skier.
Backcountry powder. Dynafit Tigard 107 (171cm), dynafit rotation 10, dynafit radical pro boot. Love this set up.
Wanted to grab Black Diamond Helio 88 on sale for light weight set up. Would you recommend 161 or 170 length? Can I run my Radical Pro? Which binding recommended?
Thanks
Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88 Ski
Whether heading out for a dawn patrol or extended outings in technical terrain, the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88 is an intuitive ski that won't crush your quads. A layer of carbon fiber is paired with full-perimeter ABS sidewalls and a paulownia core for a responsive yet damp and stable ride. Slight rocker in the tip assists with float in soft snow, while an ABS tail protector helps keep the ski coming back for many seasons of use. If you're tackling big objectives or just racking up lots of days, the Helio Carbon 88 from Black Diamond will happily join in the fun.
- Rockered tip helps with trail-breaking and downhill duties in soft snow.
- Pre-preg carbon fiber construction is damp and balanced, with just the right amount of torsional stiffness.
- Paulownia wood core is light on the up and fun on the way down.
- Full ABS side walls offer excellent durability and help dampen rough snow conditions.
- ABS tail protector and integrated skin tab keep your skins from wandering off.
- Titanal binding mounting plate keeps your bindings securely attached to your skis.
Update 2025/26: Along with the colorful new graphics, BD tweaked the construction to optimize torsional rigidity, edge control, stability, and consistency while skiing.
| Specifications | |
| Length(s) cm | 152, 161, 170, 179 |
|
Weight |
1050g [152] 1140g [161] 1230g [170] 1330g [179] |
| Weight (pair) | 2100g [152] 2280g [161] 2460g [170] 2660g [179] |
|
|
119-88-110 [152] 119-88-110 [161] 120-88-111 [170] 122-88-111 [179] |
|
Turn |
16m [152] 17m [161] 18m [170] 19m [179] |
|
Skin |
Round tip, reinforced flat-notch tail |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Minimal early rise, camber underfoot |
|
|
Rounded tip, medium radius, flat tail |
|
|
Flat sandwich with pre-preg carbon layup |
|
|
Paulownia core, prepreg carbon fiber |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Long distance touring |
| Notes | Full sidewall construction has great edge hold |
| Bottom Line | All-around ski for high-altitude adventures |
| Compare to other Low-fat Skis | |
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Questions & Reviews
2/20/2026
2/20/2026
Hi Bob,
The Radical Pro would definitely be on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of what this ski can support. For that reason, I'd recommend the longer length. If it were me, I'd use a leaner binding like the Haute Route Plus (the double riser would be helpful for that Radical Pro) or the Dynafit Superlite.
The Radical Pro would definitely be on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of what this ski can support. For that reason, I'd recommend the longer length. If it were me, I'd use a leaner binding like the Haute Route Plus (the double riser would be helpful for that Radical Pro) or the Dynafit Superlite.
2/20/2026
Hi Bob, fellow East Coaster here and owner of several Helio Carbon variants and Radical Pros. 5'7" and 180lb. I like my Radical Pros with my Helio Carbon 104's in a 172cm and with my Helio Recon 95's in a 173cm. I ski my Cirque 78's (171cm) with my Scarpa F1 LT's as a light weight mountaineering setup. Ski Trab Titan Vario 2's for lots of elasticity and a damp ride.
If I were you, go with the Helio Carbon 88 in a 170cm length and throw some Ski Trab Titan Varios or Vario Lights on there. 161cm will probably ski too short unless this will be a skimo/tight couloir ski. If you have a lighter boot mount it for that. If you get a binding with a track, you can swap boots around to suit your needs. It is nice to have a balanced system by trying to roughly match the mass of the boot to the mass of the ski. Hope this helps!
If I were you, go with the Helio Carbon 88 in a 170cm length and throw some Ski Trab Titan Varios or Vario Lights on there. 161cm will probably ski too short unless this will be a skimo/tight couloir ski. If you have a lighter boot mount it for that. If you get a binding with a track, you can swap boots around to suit your needs. It is nice to have a balanced system by trying to roughly match the mass of the boot to the mass of the ski. Hope this helps!
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12/31/2025
I normally ski 170 on alpine skis. For a lighter weight touring set up for fitness laps and occasional steeper hard pack, would you suggest I size down? I’m 5’9 and 145#.
12/31/2025
Craig- Yes, we generally have people size down for touring and especially for fitness laps and steep skiing. It will also depend on the boot you use. The lighter the boot the better it is to size down.
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