[Editor’s Note: Our “First Looks” are our way of getting you information sooner on some of the products we’re reviewing, including our measured specs and the details from the manufacturer. Once we’ve started testing a given product, we detail our on-snow impressions in our Flash Reviews and our annual Winter Buyer’s Guide. When we’re able to spend extensive time testing a given product, we publish our in-depth Full Reviews and Deep Dive comparisons.]

What Black Diamond says about the Helio Carbon 115

“A powder ski with the chops for serious technical lines, the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 115 eats up deep snow far from the trailhead. Thanks to its pre-preg carbon fiber layup, engineered paulownia wood core and ABS sidewalls, the Helio 115’s dampness offers a smooth ride. The Helio 115 is light enough for remote expeditions and 10,000-foot days, with the torsional stiffness and smooth flex needed to charge through deep powder or variable crud. Early rise in the tip and tail improves flotation and trail-breaking efficiency, and an ABS tail protector also has an integrated skin-clip tab to keep your skins secure.”

Flex Pattern

Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the Helio Carbon 115:

Tips: 6.5-7
Shovels: 7-8.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 9-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-9.5
Tails: 9