Review: Black Diamond Helio Carbon 108

Black Diamond needs little introduction in the backcountry world. Born from a brand synonymous with mountain hardware, their ski lineup is known more for consistent change than for consistent contenders in the touring market. (The Helio line, in some form or another, has been part of the brand’s lineup since around 2016.) The Helio Carbon 108 sits comfortably at the widest end of their Helio lineup. Having already spent some time with these skis in my first look earlier this season, I now have enough days on snow to offer a fuller picture. Read the Helio Carbon 108 First Look The Helio Carbon 108 is positioned as a sturdier, more confidence-inspiring touring ski, one that prioritizes downhill performance without fully abandoning weight savings. Updated for this season, the ski features a poplar wood core rather than the previous paulownia construction, with carbon presenting as stringers rather than a full sheet. The change adds a touch of weight but was intended to improve performance in chopped-up and variable snow. For those less kind to their gear, the full ABS sidewall should assist with long-term durability. The regally purple topsheet doesn’t hurt either. While reviewing these skis, I skied on the 187cm length mounted with ATK’s Rent Me 12 EVO bindings. I ski with Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro boots and am 6’1 “, 180 pounds. A simple but fine-looking topsheet and ample tip rocker for what amount’s to a fun directional ski. Photo: BD Design Highlights The poplar core paired with carbon stringers defines the character of the Helio Carbon 108 from the first run. At 1650g/ski in the 187cm length, it sits in an interesting spot in the market; roughly 500 grams lighter than the comparable Draco Freebird 110 at 189 cm from Black Crows (my daily driver), while coming in only slightly heavier than competitors like the Atomic Backland 109 (1505g/ski in a 189cm) and DPS Pagoda Tour CFL 105 (1643g/ski in a 184cm).  The rocker profile leans toward stability and versatility. A substantial early-rise tip and rockered tail are paired with camber underfoot, a combination that signals confidence in variable conditions. The tail rocker is less pronounced than the updated Backland 109, sitting closer in character to the beloved older Backland 107. The 108mm waist puts it squarely in the modern all-mountain touring sweet spot, and the 22-25m turn radius across lengths suits both open powder skiing and more deliberate turn shapes in consequential terrain. A happy camper. Field Testing Powder/Soft Snow This is where the Helio Carbon 108 earns its keep. In soft snow at speed, the ski is stable and surprisingly maneuverable. While true “powder” was hard to come by this season, I found the ski shining in denser “fast pow.” It planes well, pivots quickly underfoot, and maintains composure when the pace picks up, which I was surprised to see in a ski this light. My go-to powder ski has been a Renegade, and I was shocked by the amount of float and support offered up by this 108mm […]