![]() Part of the skis appeal is a good balance of flotation and flex so that even when fully submerged in deep snow it isn’t prone to diving, but cruises sweetly below the surface. It’s a perfect ski for spring tours, holding a good edge on refrozen corn and plenty of float in overdone corn snow, but not rotten mush. You’ll need some old fashioned technique in a cold, 3-foot deep Tahoe dump, but will have plenty of float for a 20cm refresh in the Rocky Mountains. It isn’t dramatic, but helps lift the tip when breaking trail or cutting fresh tracks. The tip of the ski sports an early rise tip. Howie rips pow with the Helio 88 and a very full, 5-day pack. When it matters though, like when I was descending a 40°+ field of refrozen corn with a 50 pound pack the Helio 88 had plenty of muscle to keep a grip and not wash out. Some of that also depends on whether you’re turning with a locked or free heel. It is, afterall, a lightweight, carbon infused ski so it won’t perform as well as a sturdier plank would in frozen crud, but that tends to be an in-bounds condition, not backcountry where the Helio prefers to slide. With a sub 90mm waist the Helio 88 is narrow enough that it holds a solid edge on hard pack although not so much at speed. ![]() Of course, a lot depends on your weight, boot, skill level, and how far you want push the boundaries. It’s a solid ski that lets you minimize weight without sacrificing good performance. Howie rips mush with BD’s Helio 88 and a full pack.Now that the pendulum is swinging back from the fringes of phat skis to moderately wide skis, what used to called fat but is now even skinny, Black Diamond’s Helio 88 should perk your interest. I was impressed – but quite enough of that stuff – thanks. Forcing the tips of the skis up to fight for another turn in the tricky stuff. The tail of the ski sinking and slicing around under the surface without hanging up in the ruts. The combination of features was utterly dependable in the worst slab and crust. They suit my outdated desire for ‘80s powder wiggles, as well as hooning through pillows in a more modern stylee! Furthermore, the 95mmm waist keeps them nimble and all the more fun for it. The 327mm nose rocker keeps ‘em flying even when it’s waist deep. Once the snow fell I feared I would want a bigger board, but they ski just like one. They pack a serious punch for such a light ski with grippy edges, buttery smooth turns in the pow, yet can carve on the piste as well as any. I don’t really know enough about ski design, but that rounded tail just never catches! In crust, crud and ice they are forgiving and easy. Equally at home around the bumps as well as the chop. With a paulownia wood core (I wouldn’t touch anything without) and a 19m turn radius, they are springy and responsive. Is that really down to the ABS sidewalls? Whatever, it works – and they are a truly great “playful yet smooth” little ski that can really charge! ![]() On the way down, they don’t feel anything like such a lightweight chatter-fest as some in this weight range. On the way up they are light, yet the nose rocker keeps the tips afloat with ease. ![]() So the skis got hammered all around the mountains in almost all conditions.įollowing a redesign, and now weighing in at just 2.8kg for a pair at 176cm, you get a lot of bang for minimal buck. The mountain went from grass and rocks through icy piste and grainy old snow to bottomless powder and wind hammered crud. Opening the winter of 2021-22 powder account, we had over one mighty metre of snow in just five days.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |