Long haul missions in the mountains require gear that is equally capable of going the distance. Black Diamond knew this when it teamed up with the expert craftsmen at Blizzard’s factory in Mittersill, Austria, to bring the Helio Carbon to life. Starting with an ultralight paulownia wood core, the ski features a pre-preg carbon layup and full perimeter ABS sidewalls that dampens the ride when conditions are less than ideal. Increased torsional rigidity and a longer effective edge give you plenty of hold, but the early rise tip and taper in the tail (with a pre-cut tail notch) allows you to slash your turns when the powder is deep. The only question left is: Can your ski partner keep up on the booter?

FREESKIER tester thoughts:

“Black Diamond is really upping the ante with this completely overhauled backcountry/freeride offering. With riders like Parkin Costain aiding in R&D, I’m excited to see what comes next.”

Explore the 2022 FREESKIER Buyer’s Guide