– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor Backcountry
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • WildSnow Ski Weight/Surface Comparison Chart — And More
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Ski Weight Comparo Charts
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Museum – Backcountry Ski Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor Backcountry
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • WildSnow Ski Weight/Surface Comparison Chart — And More
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Ski Weight Comparo Charts
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Museum – Backcountry Ski Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Black Diamond Helio Ski Comparison: 95 and 105

by Dr Alex Lee October 3, 2016
written by Dr Alex Lee October 3, 2016
Black Diamond Helio 105 and Helio 95 tested in the vast reaches of the Eastern Alaska Range.

Black Diamond Helio 105 and Helio 95 tested in the vast reaches of the Eastern Alaska Range.

I ski both the Helio 105 and the Helio 95, and as such offer my review of these implements of cryological descent. (WildSnow has tackled the Helio 105 — I’ll focus on what stood out to me in the ski, then I’ll turn to the 95.)

Helio 105 on their way up in Alaska.

Helio 105 on their way up in Alaska. Click to enlarge.

Your reviewer: I am 5’11’’, 180 lbs. I ski toured both skis with both a 2-buckle boot (La Sportiva Spitfire) and a 4-buckle boot (La Sportiva Spectre). The 95s I skied at a 183 length on Vipec 12 bindings. The 105s I skied at a 185 length with both Dynafit Speed Radicals as well as Vipec 12s. I have done some spring skiing on these in Colorado and took these on a recent expedition to AK. No time spent in bounds on either ski, but I took them out in variable conditions, mostly spring corn and spring pow, with a bit of hard pack and crust sprinkled in.

The 105 likes going fast. I found this to be true in just about any snow conditions. This was surprising for such a light ski, but big turns in good snow felt like the 105’s prime time. Definitely a bit of chatter on hard pack (to be expected), but these feel stiff for the weight while still light. Helio 105 skis powder like a big pow ski, but still manages to be remarkably carvey in making turns (perhaps a factor of the 185 size) in corn snow.

All in all the Helio 105 is dang close to being the ‘White Whale’ of a quiver ski.

The weight to performance/size ratio on this ski is what has really stood out to me. I took it for some long tours and it felt light enough and flat enough to resemble a much smaller ski when skinning — light on the feet.

Great fun to be had sporting the 105 in some spring pow.

Great fun to be had sporting the 105 in spring pow.

The Helio’s tapered tail design makes the end of the turn buttery; surprisingly noticeable. This design, along with the weight also made the 105 especially maneuverable in breakable crust and grabby spring backcountry slush.

I really like the 105.

Helio 105 specs at 185cm:
Weight: 1550gm per ski
Dimensions; 134-105-119
Radius: 22m turn radium
Construction: Prepeg carbon on a balsa flax wood core, ABS sidewall

The Helio 95 also proves to be a quality ski with a bit more of a niche. As a ski mountaineering tool these boards rock. Definitely not as much float as the 105, but better edging, quicker to turn, and a bit easy to handle at lower speeds.

I was a big fan of the Carbon Aspect in the same niche, and the 95s feel super similar to me. Not a quiver ski, but a quality lightweight mountaineering ski.

The Helio 95 scrambling in Alaska.

The Helio 95 scrambling in Alaska.

The tapered tail design (also with early rise), slightly smaller shovel dimension, and ultralight wood core seem to borrow what worked well with the Aspect and improve on it. The Helio 95 at 183 has nearly the same turning radius as the Carbon Aspect (90 underfoot) at a 176 (20m vs 19m), maneuverability with less chatter and bit more ski make the 95 possibly a better version of an already good touring ski (with an extra 7 oz of weight).

The Helio 95 made fine and fast work both touring and turning in AK.

Helio 95 specs at 183cm:
Weight: 1400gm per ski
Dimensions: 125-95-114
Radius: 20m
Construction: Prepeg carbon on a balsa flax wood core, ABS sidewall

The 95 is not the catch all that the 105 feels like, but it excels in its strengths: ski mountaineering, long ski tours, easy turning, light weight fun.

Overall I think the Helio is an impressive ski at both sizes. The 105 covers more bases (and honestly is wicked fun), but the 95 is friendlier in hard snow and a bit easier to ski.

Shop for Black Diamond Helio here.

eastakleetr part one part two trip reports

If you missed them, here are the trip reports: Part One, and Part Two, Eastern Alaska Range.

Editor’s note: On November 11, 2016, Alex Lee and his ski mountaineering partner, Nick Vincent, will be at our local shop here in Carbondale, Colorado, Cripple Creek Backcountry, presenting a slide show on their backcountry tour of the Eastern Alaska Range. See you there!

Other upcoming events at Cripple Creek Backcountry:

2016

  • October 15, 5pm: Ski Season Kickoff Party
  • October 29 & 30: Backcountry Ski Swap
  • 9 comments
    0
    FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
    previous post
    Ski Touring News — Self Driving to the Trailhead & Historical Bohemia
    next post
    Snow Geeks Meet the Guides at ISSW 2016

    9 comments

    Doug Hutchinson October 4, 2016 - 10:20 am

    Since no one else has a comment yet, I’ll go first with one of those annoying comparo questions: anyone want to attempt a Helio 105 vs Voile Supercharger comparo? My wild ass guess would be Helio is lighter and better up but more chattery at speed. Anyone try them both yet?

    Reply
    Zak October 5, 2016 - 10:12 am

    Helio 105 vs Supercharger… same question here which is it going to be for me?

    Reply
    Lou Dawson 2 October 5, 2016 - 1:01 pm

    Like I keep saying, if you like a buttery feel you’re going to get more of that with Voile, but the Helio is impressive in terms of weight vs performance. I’ve skied Helio but not Supercharger, this is based on what I’ve been told by trusted sources (smile).

    According to our weight chart, the Helio 105 is significantly light in weight, so if you’re 100% human powered, keep that in mind.

    https://www.wildsnow.com/9657/ski-weight-comparison-surface/

    I have some Superchargers here, if they’re not on the chart I can get them on there tomorrow. I’ll check.

    Lou

    Reply
    Trevor April 21, 2017 - 1:46 pm

    Hey Lou, how would you compare the Helio 95 to the Blizzard Zero G 95? I haven’t found any direct comparisons out there on the web. Thanks!

    Reply
    trollanski September 17, 2017 - 2:44 pm

    Hey Trevor. Saw that you did not get a response on this one, but these two don’t really compare directly. We rent both of these skis. Both are excellent but have different characters. The Helio is a bit better and more supple in powder with its flex and bigger rockered tip. I found the Zero G to be a stiffer and stronger ski for corn and firm. More of a traditional euro-stiff. Ie. folks skiing firm cond’s in the Dolomites would really appreciate this ski. So for a light pow ski with a DEFINITE top speed, the Helio. For a Spring summer quiver ski, I’d go with the Zero. Just my very biased opinion….You can lay off the Helio’s and still be rewarded. The Zero G’s favor and reward a more aggressive technique, but man are they fun when driven hard!

    Reply
    Lou Dawson 2 September 17, 2017 - 3:56 pm

    Trollan, thanks for noticing Trevor’s message, I indeed missed it! Your comparo is basically where I’d go, only I’d even more strongly emphasize that the Zero G is definitely less for powder slarving and indeed more of something that you want to carve, and seems would be more appropriate on firmer snow. The G is definitely more “Euro” though defining that is tough, and Euro freeriders might beg to differ. Lou

    Reply
    Trevor September 18, 2017 - 11:14 am

    Thanks Trollanski and Lou!

    Reply
    Swan October 28, 2017 - 12:47 pm

    This is a great review. Though it sure does make it difficult to choose between the two! I just retired my mountaineering set-up and ski my Boundary 107’s now solely, I love them for power days but am looking into a pair of Helios for everything else. I’m very tempted by the “one ski quiver” aspect of the 105’s but am also interested in a super light-weight mountaineering set up provided by the 95’s. Any thoughts? Recommendations? I ski mostly in the Indian Peaks and RMNP, lots of spring/summer lines.

    Reply
    Nate Porter February 3, 2018 - 8:01 am

    Does anyone have any thoughts on mounting location for the Helio 105? Got a pr. last season, mounted on the BC line and they feel pretty far forward. I can’t imagine going ahead of the BC line. On a TGR thread about the Helio 116, some people sounded like they were going 2-3 cm’s behind the BC line.

    Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

    Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

    Anti-Spam Quiz:

    Gear Reviews

    • WildSnow Women’s Boot Roundup 2019-20

      November 21, 2019
    • Fritschi (Black Diamond) Xenic 10 Binding Technical Review

      November 11, 2019
    • FutureLight vs. Gore-tex — Ultimate Sweat Test

      October 17, 2019

    Recent Comments

    • Jonathan Gal on Blizzard Zero G 85 & 95 Side-by-Side Comparo
    • Lou Dawson 2 on Book Review — Atlas of the National Parks
    • Bruno on G3 Zed 2nd Edition Ski Touring Binding — Tech Look
    • Bruno on G3 Zed 2nd Edition Ski Touring Binding — Tech Look
    • FritzP on G3 Zed 2nd Edition Ski Touring Binding — Tech Look

    Trip Reports

    • Denali 2019 — What Worked, What Didn’t Part I

      November 4, 2019
    • Early Season Turns and Mid Season Instability

      November 1, 2019
    • Trip Report — Mt. Olympus Ski Slog

      October 11, 2019

    Totally Deep Podcast

    • Blake Gordon Comes Down From the Himal — TDP 69

      November 20, 2019
    • Angus Morrison Splitboard Car Talk – TDP 68

      October 30, 2019
    • Skiing the Lhotse Couloir — TDP 51 & Short Film

      October 23, 2019

    Tips & Tricks

    • Travel Tips for Your Next Ski Trip

      December 2, 2019
    • Ski Crampons — When To, When Not To and How

      November 26, 2019
    • Denali 2019 — What Worked, What Didn’t Part II

      November 12, 2019

    Ski Touring Stories

    • Confessions of Snowman

      November 23, 2019
    • A Grand Traverse Gone Awry

      November 15, 2019
    • Who Should Own ‘Backcountry’?

      November 2, 2019

    Newsletter Sign-Up

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • About Lou Dawson
    • Authors Page
    • About
    • Contact
    • Copyright & Legal
    • Website Security

    @2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildsSnow


    Back To Top

    Read alsox

    Planning a Backcountry Tour — Aspen...

    December 6, 2019

    G3 Zed 2nd Edition Ski Touring...

    December 5, 2019

    Mark Smiley — The Man Behind...

    December 4, 2019