Black Diamond · Ski & Snowboard

Helio Carbon 88 Ski - 2025

Helio Carbon 88 Ski - 2025
50% OFF

$556.85

$1,113.68Save $556.83 (50%)

at Backcountry

Also check

Links may earn us a commission. Prices are never affected.Details

Price Historylast 3 months

$668$604$540$556.85Mar 25May 9Today

Low $539.99 · High $668.21. Hover the line to see each change.

About this product

The Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88 is a 2025 alpine touring ski built around an ultralight carbon laminate construction that delivers responsive, damped performance on the ascent and descent alike. Its balsa flax engineered wood core keeps overall weight low while maintaining consistent flex across the three available lengths: 161 cm, 170 cm, and 179 cm. The 88 mm waist width sits in a versatile middle ground, offering enough surface area for variable snow conditions without sacrificing the quickness needed on tighter terrain. Early rise at both the tip and tail promotes float in softer snow and makes turn initiation more forgiving. Sandwich construction adds edge grip on firmer surfaces, and steel edges provide confident hold on icy traverses. A sintered P-tex 4500 base balances speed with long-term durability. For touring efficiency, an ABS tail protector with an integrated skin clip streamlines transitions between uphill and downhill travel.

Brand
Black Diamond
Color
One Color
Size
Size Chart 161cm 161cm 170cm 170cm 179cm 179cm

What people are saying

Reviewers consistently praise the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 88 for its exceptional uphill efficiency, calling it one of the lightest skis in its class and noting it makes long skin tracks and steep approaches noticeably less taxing. The pre-preg carbon fiber and paulownia wood core construction earns repeated credit for striking a rare balance: featherlight on the climb yet surprisingly damp, precise, and confident on hardpack, icy steeps, and tight trees on the descent. The integrated skin-clip tail notch is a well-liked practical detail. The most common criticism is that the 88mm waist limits performance in deep powder and heavy chunder, where the ski struggles to float at slower speeds. Topsheet durability is a recurring concern, with multiple testers reporting chips and damage after exposure to rocky or icy terrain. At around $850, some note it sits at a premium price point for a ski this narrow.

Specifications

Ski waist width
88 mm
Ski length
152,161,170,179 cm

Length options

LengthSki turn radiusPacked weight
15216 m1.05 kg
16117 m1.21 kg
17018 m1.29 kg
17919 m1.35 kg

Related Guides

More Ski & Snowboard Deals

View all Ski & Snowboard deals