15 comments on “2019-2020 Black Diamond Helio 105 Carbon”
I appreciate the article Brother. I have the BD Helios as well, but mine are 185 cm. I’m 5’9, 165 pounds, and hearing that another “short” guy became used to them gives me some motivation to keep the extra length. I was tempted on sizing down before the season has even kicked off but I think I’ll try ’em out.
Any tips on mastering these bad boys?
Hi Ryland,
Good question regarding the length. I don’t have any perfect tips for dealing with the 185, but I will definitely say the Helio 105 rewards a forward stance, and it sometimes felt like I had a lot of tip in front of me if I tried to ski with a more centered stance. However, like I mentioned in the review, I’m used to skis with more forward mounts, so if you’re coming from other skis with mount points further than 8cm back, and tend to drive your shovels, I don’t think this will be an issue.
Honestly, the main area where I noticed the length most was during kick turns, and the best tip I can give you hear is simply to practice. 185 cm is about as long as I’d go for a touring ski, but it only took me a few tours to dial in kick turns with the 185 cm Helio 105, and its very low weight helps make things a little more manageable.
Overall, I’d say the 185 Helio 105 does not feel all that long, and I would definitely stick with it if given the chance to size down. With such a light ski, and fairly soft shovels, I appreciate the extra length, especially in deep snow and at higher speeds.
Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Cheers,
Luke
How would you feel about this ski in heavier PNW snow conditions?
Hi Dan,
I only had one day on the Helio 105 in fairly heavy snow, and while it did fine in areas where the snow was consistent, it definitely does not plow through consolidated snow (it is only 1550 g after all).
If I were looking for a ski for the PNW, I’d probably check out the 4FRNT Raven or Volkl BMT 109, as their reverse camber design and slightly heavier weights would probably handle the heavier snow a bit better.
All that said, I think if you maintain a more dynamic style of skiing with the Helio 105, it can certainly deal with the heavier snow, you just have to be wary of the fact that it is a very light ski.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
Cheers,
Luke
Great thanks for the info. I hadn’t considered the BMT 109 I’ll add that to the list.
As always 4frnt and ON3P always seem to be on the list
Hi Luke,
thanks for another great Blister review!
I am still on my beloved Carbon Converts but as they become stone skis, I am considering getting the BD Route 105. They are supposed to come from the same mould as the Helio 105’s, but with a more burlier composition. Do you have any information or experience with the Route lineup? I am actually looking for a tad stronger ski then the Carbon Converts. I have also the Black Crows Corvus Freebird on my list.
Thanks!
Philipp
Hi Phillipp,
Thanks for reaching out. I have unfortunately not used the Route 105 or Carbon Convert. Our reviewer Paul Forward has used the Carbon Convert and Helio 105, and found the Helio 105 to handle variable conditions a bit better than the Carbon Convert. Based on our other reviewers’ experience with the Corvus Freebird, I’d imagine that they would indeed be stronger / more stable than the Carbon Convert. Apologies that I can’t offer more direct comparisons, but I hope that might help a bit.
Best,
Luke
It does! Many thanks Luke!
Any more thoughts on mounting location for the 105’s? I have mine on the BC line, which feels really far forward. Luke seems to be happy with going forward, curious what other people’s experience has been.
Hello, do you guys see any changes other than graphics from 17/18 to 18/19 version? Thanks!
Have you had a chance to try the new Helio 105 recon?
Not yet — we’re working on getting that ski at some point this season.
Does the issue with minimal tip splay exist on the Helio 116? I’m trying to decide which would be a better option for backcountry powder in Tahoe area.
Paul never complained about the tips being too low on the Helio 116, so I don’t think it’s an issue. The 116 we measured also has much more tip splay than the 105 we measured (67 mm vs. 55 mm).
Thanks for the quick feedback. Your reviews are awesome but leave me wanting to try them all. I’m in desperate need for upgrade in my dedicated touring ski. Currently ride the 12/13 Super 7 188. Love the float, easy ride, soft yet damp but way too heavy. I ski primarily in the Tahoe area so dealing with denser powder usually.
Trying to stay under 8lbs. Any advice between the Helio 116, Deathwish Tour, Wayback 106 or Vision 108 for coastal powder skiing?
I appreciate the article Brother. I have the BD Helios as well, but mine are 185 cm. I’m 5’9, 165 pounds, and hearing that another “short” guy became used to them gives me some motivation to keep the extra length. I was tempted on sizing down before the season has even kicked off but I think I’ll try ’em out.
Any tips on mastering these bad boys?
Hi Ryland,
Good question regarding the length. I don’t have any perfect tips for dealing with the 185, but I will definitely say the Helio 105 rewards a forward stance, and it sometimes felt like I had a lot of tip in front of me if I tried to ski with a more centered stance. However, like I mentioned in the review, I’m used to skis with more forward mounts, so if you’re coming from other skis with mount points further than 8cm back, and tend to drive your shovels, I don’t think this will be an issue.
Honestly, the main area where I noticed the length most was during kick turns, and the best tip I can give you hear is simply to practice. 185 cm is about as long as I’d go for a touring ski, but it only took me a few tours to dial in kick turns with the 185 cm Helio 105, and its very low weight helps make things a little more manageable.
Overall, I’d say the 185 Helio 105 does not feel all that long, and I would definitely stick with it if given the chance to size down. With such a light ski, and fairly soft shovels, I appreciate the extra length, especially in deep snow and at higher speeds.
Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Cheers,
Luke
How would you feel about this ski in heavier PNW snow conditions?
Hi Dan,
I only had one day on the Helio 105 in fairly heavy snow, and while it did fine in areas where the snow was consistent, it definitely does not plow through consolidated snow (it is only 1550 g after all).
If I were looking for a ski for the PNW, I’d probably check out the 4FRNT Raven or Volkl BMT 109, as their reverse camber design and slightly heavier weights would probably handle the heavier snow a bit better.
All that said, I think if you maintain a more dynamic style of skiing with the Helio 105, it can certainly deal with the heavier snow, you just have to be wary of the fact that it is a very light ski.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
Cheers,
Luke
Great thanks for the info. I hadn’t considered the BMT 109 I’ll add that to the list.
As always 4frnt and ON3P always seem to be on the list
Hi Luke,
thanks for another great Blister review!
I am still on my beloved Carbon Converts but as they become stone skis, I am considering getting the BD Route 105. They are supposed to come from the same mould as the Helio 105’s, but with a more burlier composition. Do you have any information or experience with the Route lineup? I am actually looking for a tad stronger ski then the Carbon Converts. I have also the Black Crows Corvus Freebird on my list.
Thanks!
Philipp
Hi Phillipp,
Thanks for reaching out. I have unfortunately not used the Route 105 or Carbon Convert. Our reviewer Paul Forward has used the Carbon Convert and Helio 105, and found the Helio 105 to handle variable conditions a bit better than the Carbon Convert. Based on our other reviewers’ experience with the Corvus Freebird, I’d imagine that they would indeed be stronger / more stable than the Carbon Convert. Apologies that I can’t offer more direct comparisons, but I hope that might help a bit.
Best,
Luke
It does! Many thanks Luke!
Any more thoughts on mounting location for the 105’s? I have mine on the BC line, which feels really far forward. Luke seems to be happy with going forward, curious what other people’s experience has been.
Hello, do you guys see any changes other than graphics from 17/18 to 18/19 version? Thanks!
Have you had a chance to try the new Helio 105 recon?
Not yet — we’re working on getting that ski at some point this season.
Does the issue with minimal tip splay exist on the Helio 116? I’m trying to decide which would be a better option for backcountry powder in Tahoe area.
Paul never complained about the tips being too low on the Helio 116, so I don’t think it’s an issue. The 116 we measured also has much more tip splay than the 105 we measured (67 mm vs. 55 mm).
Thanks for the quick feedback. Your reviews are awesome but leave me wanting to try them all. I’m in desperate need for upgrade in my dedicated touring ski. Currently ride the 12/13 Super 7 188. Love the float, easy ride, soft yet damp but way too heavy. I ski primarily in the Tahoe area so dealing with denser powder usually.
Trying to stay under 8lbs. Any advice between the Helio 116, Deathwish Tour, Wayback 106 or Vision 108 for coastal powder skiing?