Black Diamond Helio 105

Control Carbon in a ski’s core saves weight while strengthening it, but it isn’t forgiving—so carbon skis can buck you around when you’re at speed. Black Diamond fixes that issue by using a sandwich construction, so the core materials are layered through the sidewall. It costs more than cap construction, but it allows the layers to respond the way they’re designed to, giving the Helio a consistent flex tip to tail. This dampness let us float over varying terrain with ease. “I never had to focus on skiing with these,” one tester said after our ski test in Rocky Mountain National Park. “They make for a relaxing ride.”

Versatility Early rise, paired with the snappy, carbon core, keeps the Helio playful in powder and mostly on top of breakable crust.

Sizes The Helio is also available in 88-, 95-, and 116mm-underfoot options. 165 (131-105-118), 177 (132-105-119), 183 (134-105-119)