Black Diamond · Ski & Snowboard
Helio Carbon 88 Ski - 2025
$445.49
$1,113.68Save $668.20 (60%)
at Backcountry
Price Historylast 5 months
Low $445.49 · High $668.21. Hover the line to see each change.
Is this a good deal?
- The current price has held for 15 days.
- Across the 100 Ski & Snowboard deals we’re tracking right now, the median discount is 40% — this deal’s 60% off is well above that mark.
Based on prices we’ve recorded from Backcountry since March 2026, refreshed several times daily.
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 a consistent, reliable flex across all three available lengths: 161 cm, 170 cm, and 179 cm. The 88 mm waist strikes a practical balance between nimble handling and all-condition stability, making it a versatile choice for backcountry touring. Early rise tip and tail geometry promotes float in softer snow and smooth turn initiation, while sandwich construction adds edge grip on firmer surfaces. Steel edges provide confident traction on icy traverses, and the sintered P-tex 4500 base offers both speed and long-term durability. An ABS tail protector with an integrated skin clip streamlines transitions, a detail that matters on longer tours. Priced at $445.49 CAD, the Helio Carbon 88 is a well-rounded AT ski suited to a wide range of backcountry terrain.
- Category
- Ski & Snowboard
- 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
| Length | Ski turn radius | Packed weight |
|---|---|---|
| 152 | 16 m | 1.05 kg |
| 161 | 17 m | 1.21 kg |
| 170 | 18 m | 1.29 kg |
| 179 | 19 m | 1.35 kg |
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