Black Diamond Helio 88 Ski

Specifications
Lengths (cm)	158, 168, 178
Weight -> ounces	1235g [158] 1170g [158 - 17/18] 1320 [168] 1250g [168 - 17/18] 1440g [178] 1340g [178 - 17/18]
Weight (pair)	2270g [158] 2620g [168] 2880g [178]
Dimensions	119-88-110 [158] 121-88-111 [168] 123-88-112 [178]
Turn Radius	17m [158] 18m [168] 19m [178]
Skin Fix	Round tip, reinforced flat-notch tail
Specs Verified	Yes
Profile	240-270mm rockered tip, traditional camber w/ 129-143mm "Semi Rocker" tail
Shape	Rounded tip, medium radius, flat tail
Construction	Flat sandwich with pre-preg carbon layup
Core	Balsa flax wood core
Usage	Long distance touring
Notes	Full sidewall construction has great edge hold
Bottom Line	All around mountaineering ski for high altitude adventures

I'm looking for a ski to take on long 1 day traverses with variable conditions. I am looking for a ski that is light but also dependable if conditions are icy. Soft snow performance would be a bonus. I'm 5'10 and 175lb. What do you think of this ski for those specifications? What size would you recommend?

Hi Frank, I think that this would be an excellent ski to suit what you are looking for. It's an excellent balance of firm snow performance and soft snow ease. I would suggest the 178cm length.

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Hey I was wondering about what size to get. I am 6'4 and 200 lbs, wanting a touring setup that's better than my 20 pound sidecountry setup. I ski in Montana, and it would be a touring only ski. I have heard different things about underfoot width, and was told not to get anything below 110 underfoot, which made me think Helio 116 @ 184, but i don't know if that's the best ski for everything. Can you steer me in the right direction?

Hi Eric, my general advice for folks who are going with a single ski setup for touring is to select something between 95-100mm under foot. This width tends to be the most versatile across the broadest range of snow conditions. 110mm is a very large ski for most touring needs, particularly if you are trying to be weight conscious. At your height, I would suggest a ski that is 177-185cm in length.

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Trying to decide between the 88 and the 95. 6'5" 182lbs. New skier switching from splitboarding. Ultrarunner who wants to train through winter without the pounding. In the Scarpa F1 boot, leaning toward the G3 Zed unless you call me a dummy. Length and width ski you'd reco?

Hey Josh I would look at the Helio 88 in 178cm if your looking for moving fast and keeping fitness. 95 would be better for everyday powder hunting.

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Hi,
I am getting a BD helio 85 158cm for skimo. (I am 115lb and 5'3) What binding do you recommend? I am thinking about the dynafit speed turn because of its lightness, but I am also somewhat concerned about the degraded downhill performance?

Hi meta, it's generally best to match up a binding with a skier. As such I'd recommend visiting our binding finder to discover all your options. Downhill performance is not a problem with the Speed Turn, for what it's worth.

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Hi all,

I am living in Northern New England and am about 5'11" 170 pounds. I am a splitboarder who has made a hardboot transition for my splitting, and is now looking to get back on skis for fitness before the lifts run, traverses, approaches to climbs (especially in the presidentials), and some other two plank fun. My boots are the arcteryx procline (noncarbon). yes I snowboard in them too!

I have narrowed my choices of ski down to the Voile Objective, the BD Helio 88, the Blizzard Zero G 85, and the Dynafit 7 Summits. My question is not just which ski, but how long? I will not be the most graceful skier, and most likely not maching down the mountain on these things. And also, any recommendations for which ski to go for? I have an old pair of speed radical toes that I will be using.

Thanks,

- the one planker.

Hey Zach, thanks for reaching out! Good work snowboarding in those boots! Hard-booting is a slippery slope (did that count as a pun?). I'd go for the 168cm ski with the 178cm being a not very close second choice. The Voile Objective, Blizzard Zero G 85, and Dynafit Seven Summits are all offered in 171cm lengths, which I think suits you a bit better than the 168cm Helio 88. Just on a personal note, I think the flex pattern of the Seven Summits and Voile Objective will suit your boots a bit better than the Zero G 85 or Helio 88.

Thanks for the reply! much appreciated. I didn't really think about the procline limitations and which ski would work best..

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I am 5'6 150 and am looking for a ski most suitable for pure ski mountaineering objectives and climbing approaches. I am torn between the 88s and the 95s and on how to size them.

Hey Aaron, thanks for reaching out. I'd say it may depend on which boots you are skiing in. I think the Helio 88 in a 158 could be perfect for approaches and steep skiing, though the 168cm ski would be nice if it was going to be your only ski for all conditions. The Helio 95 in 163cm would be awesome as well though.

I'll be skiing in Scarpa Maestrale alpine touring boots.

Hi Aaron, I'd go for the 88 in a 168 for your size and purpose. And then get lighter boots :P

Thank you for the responses. Yes, I intend for these to be my only par of skis.

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The specs say that they are not recommended for telemark bindings. Does anyone know why?

Hi Michael, typically that is because there isn't enough reinforcement in the toe binding area to handle the forces applied when dropping a knee.

Binding Freedom inserts or Quiver Killers offer a solution to telemark bindings in light-core skis. From my personal experience (200# without gear, Type III+ telemarker, 20+ pairs of skis mounted with inserts and binding swaps beyond count) Is it the same reliability and durability as normal binding screws in an alpine core? Maybe. Is it close? Definitely. Would I air 20' off a cornice onto that set up? ...only if necessary. Would I trust it with a four-hole Dynafit mount pattern for a TTS-style set up... no, not really at my weight. Wait for the Lynx to become mainstream or get a set of Meidjos, mount them with inserts and enjoy rippin' skinny skis with drop knees.

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Thanks jbo. Follow up questions to the one posted below! I am debating between the Helio 88s and the 95s. I just realized they are quite different dimensions. The 88s @ 168cm are 121-88-112 and 95s @163 cm are almost the same tip and tale but wider under foot. (122-95-112). So the 95's actually have less side cut - which I think would be an advantage skinning up on ice?

I am 5'6, 150 lbs and a intermediate+ skier with many years of touring. I think the 163's might be a little short for me, so maybe that solves it and I should buy the 88s.?

Thanks for any thoughts!

Hi Christine, yes the 95s are 1 meter longer in radius. It's not a big enough difference to be noticeable when skinning.

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I am considering the 88's for a spring tour in the alps. I currently have the BD converts but want something lighter. I also hate how insecure the converts (and any wide and shaped ski I have used in the past) feel when skiing up icy snow. Do you think the 88s will hold an edge better when skiing up? Thanks!

Yes Christine, the skinnier skis are easier to skin up, with better edging on the up and down. The Helio 88s are reliable in spring icy conditions, and they are still fun in powder too :)

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I now have four days on these, in wildly varying conditions. So far, they are exactly what I hoped for—maneuverable, turny, easy. On skied-out end-of-the-day manmade, there were no unpleasant surprises. On sticky, soggy sidecountry mush, I was somewhat surprised to be able to turn at all. On pristine pre-first-chair corduroy, they were swoopy and fun. Today, on really brutal skied-out semi-refrozen dust on crust, they were really quick across the fall line in tight spaces, and I could steer them through the ruts and piles while staying upright. I was amazed to survive that snow at all. They're light enough that I never noticed weight on the up. I'm skiing these with a Dynafit classic toe, Speed Superlite 1.0 heel, and TLT6Ms. I'm so looking forward to more skiing with these!

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I'm debating between the helio 88 or 95 for my lightweight touring setup. Mostly skiing on the west coast on both steeps
and heavier powder. I don't weigh much (120lbs) so I thought I could get away with a skinnier ski that would still be able to
perform in crud and heavier west coast snow. What do you guys reckon?

Thanks in advance,

Frederique

Hey Frederique, I'd go with the 88, hands down. You mentioned you are trying to get a "lightweight setup"...so get a lightweight setup. The 88 will perform better on steep, icy terrain due to the lighter weight and narrower build, the light rocker will help you float on top of crud rather than get bounced around, and it's a LOT of ski for the weight/waist width so don't be afraid to let it loose every once in a while.

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Black Diamond Helio 88 Ski

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