BLACK DIAMOND HELIO CARBON 95
£650
Lengths 155,162, 169,176,183
Radius 19m @ 176
Dimensions 124-95-113 @ 176
Weight per ski 1400g @ 176
THEY SAY
Our mid-sized carbon ski that’s built to slay backcountry turns from the Cordillera Blanca to the Canadian Rockies, the Black Diamond Helio Carbon 95 balances playful, soft-snow performance with precision. The Helio 95’s pre-preg carbon fiber layup and full-perimeter ABS sidewalls has improved dampness for a smoother ride, while the engineered paulownia core keeps the ski light for long tours. The Helio 95 also maintains a smooth flex and torsional stiffness for reliable, responsive skiing on the way down. 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.
WE SAY
A complete revision/refresh of the Helio Carbon lineup. There are four models: exact widths 88mm, 95mm, 105mm and 115mm. We’ve picked the 95 not just out of this group, but as our top tourer of 2023 from a lineup of extremely fine contestants. Martin missed out of the test, but used the 95 all through last season so really got to know it. I never used to be a particular fan of BD skis, but now they are made by Blizzard, with a proper wood core, they have been getting better and better every season. The latest version of this springy little beauty is as close to touring perfection as it gets (yet). But would a ski this light stand up to a full season of hardcore hammering? Yes indeed!
BEST FOR
The 95 is a lightweight and very competent touring ski that has more than enough band width to cope with deep powder and hard, icy pistes. It is perhaps the do everything, all-round workhorse of the new Helio range. A safe investment for anyone looking to reduce their quiver. Would be a great choice for the hut to hut, springtime tourer who is looking for as much up as down. However, it would also suit the early season powder hunter who is going to let the lifts do some of the work! It’s the accessible, all round nature which makes the Helio 95 our Touring Ski of the Year.
BLIZZARD ZERO G 95
£660
Lengths 164, 171, 178, 185 >br>Radius 22m @ 178
Dimensions 127-94-111 @ 178
Weight per ski 1260g @ 178
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THEY SAY The ski of choice for the now dearly departed Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison on their epic, first descent of the world’s highest, biggest line – the Lhotse Couloir in the Himalayas. An ultra-lightweight paulownia wood core paired with updated 3.0 version of Blizzard’s proven Carbon Drive technology enables efficiency on the skin track and a more consistent, stable feel on the descent.
WE SAY The Blizzard Zero G 95 is back. Again. It’s been slightly revised to make it a touch softer but is essentially the same ski that’s been hogging various steps of the podium for three years. The key difference is that the carbon layer is now in the middle of the ski rather than on the top, which softens the flex.
BEST FOR We think the 95mm-waist version of the family is the perfect width, though the 85 or 105 are equally valid. Lee sums it up: “The ZeroG 95 still needs a firm hand. Fantastic on just about any terrain you throw at them, with a straight enough sidecut and the stability to hold an edge in sketchy situations, the Zero G 95 is an easy choice for multi-day tours.”
Faction Agent 2
£599
Lengths 163, 171, 177, 182, 187
Radius 18m @ 177
Dimensions 127-96-117 @ 177
Weight per ski 1,490g
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THEY SAY
You’ll love this ski if: You want a modern tip that will help you rise above the snow and easily initiate the turn; You think light weight is important, but downhill performance and durability are better; You prefer a modern shape with a stiffer tail that supports a strong finish to the turn; You need a freetouring ski to reliably handle variable snow and variable terrain.
WE SAY
The Agents are Faction’s lighter touring range based on their Dancer series of all-mountain skis. The flat tail, rocker, and lightweight construction on a mid-fat platform makes for a versatile ride. We think these feel beefier than the other picks despite being very similar weights – extra power in the tail does affect the feel. The Agent 2 scored highly, felt nimble and can be skied hard and fast for a tourer.
BEST FOR
It sits more at the freeride end of the pure touring skis, so we’d pitch it to stronger and heavier skiers. At up to 187cm it’s available in a hefty length, giving plenty of support to bigger riders. A safe choice for hut-to-hut tours, pair it with one of the more robust touring bindings, e.g. a Shift or Kingpin, to get the most out of the downhill performance.
Scott Proguide 96
£599
Lengths 167, 173, 178
Radius 21m @ 173
Dimensions 128-95-117 @ 173
Weightperski 1,220g @ 173
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THEY SAY
You want MORE? Enjoy more elevation, new remote zones and more fresh turns. The new Scott Proguide skis are built with ultra-light materials to be the perfect partner for those who are always hungry for more and want to access the inaccessible.
WE SAY
So a brand new ski for Scott? Or is it. We reviewed the Speedguide 95, which won the 2019 SOTY Men’s Touring Ski of the Year award and if you put these two skis side by side you may notice a sibling resemblance. And that’s not a bad thing, as the original was one zesty performer. The Proguide is a very light ski delivering remarkable levels of performance for the amount of material within. It’s crept up in weight a touch over the previous Speedguide, but still feels effortless in the climb and extremely playful when skiing.
BEST FOR
Lee identified the new Proguide as suiting “stronger skiers looking for a light, powerful touring ski that can kill crud with a slash and a turn. I have used the Speedguide for four years in Norway and found it to be the perfect tool for any terrain I threw at it, and these new Proguide 96 will be taking their place. Time to plan another trip!”
