Liberty Helix as AT ski?

[CTR]

any thoughts/experience with a Liberty Helix as an AT/powder backcountry ski.....my light, but strong teenager needs a new ski for AT, though his boots are a bit soft older Dynafit three buckles..........(thinking the 167cm for his 120 pounds)......thanks, Chet

[funkendrenchman]

Been on that ski for years (AT and alpine). Love it!

[wildmanwillie]

I have it in 167 as well, got it when I was 17, 5'4 and 110 lbs. Super light and nimble, pretty soft ski to begin with and much softer after approx 80 days on them. At 5'8 140lbs now it'd be nice to have that ski in 176, maybe something to think about as that that size change represents three years of growth and I'm still steady.

That said I feel like the shorter length and the softer flex helped me progress my skiing in a good direction after only riding stupid-stiff Fischer WC GS skis in all conditions for nearly 3 years. They're my go to fun fuck around/tree slaying ski.

[FlimFlamvanHam]

I too loved the Helix and I had it in a 187, but for touring it's still a relatively center mounted ski due to the twin...and that brings us to the twin tip. I hate twin tips for touring. They just get in the way; make kick turns a chore; allow greater ease in kicking off the skins' tail clips and serve no functional purpose (for me anyway).

They are very light for their size and are very damp for their lightness.

[Canada Guy]

^^ I'd echo what Johnny said. I have the 187's and I had the exact same gripes about the ski. I went back to my trusty Zealots for touring because the twin drove me nuts. The Helixes are going to be a resort only ski from now on.

I'll also add that even mounted at the most rearward line I found the skis were still too center mounted for really light dry snow. It was a bit of a challenge to drive the tips of the skis and not get some dive. In snow with a bit more moisture content I never had an issue.

[mtskier]

I really like my helix 187. there is not a lighter touring ski for its size. super versatile.

pull the trigger.

[funkendrenchman]

Mount them 1.5cm behind the rearmost line. Get some skin clips that work. Go skiing! The only downside of the twin is if you need to build an anchor.

[wildmanwillie]

It was a bit of a challenge to drive the tips of the skis and not get some dive.

I definitely agree with this, I'm slightly behind the rearward line right now. They still prefer to be steered from the center in softer snow, and will dive if you get too over the tips.

[-Jake-]

I'm thinking of getting a pair of these (176) for a touring setup myself...i've narrowed my search down to either line sfb's, 4frnt turbos, or these. I feel like if I don't go for the libertys then I will regret my decision not to go for a lighter weight ski in the long run. The bacons might be a bit to clunky in tight east coast trees but i like the extra width underfoot. decisions......decisions.......decisions......

[FlimFlamvanHam]

No matter what you get you'll wish you got something else as that's just human nature.

I think the Liberty's are a great ski. I had to deal with warranty for an odd issue and they could not get me a new set of skis fast enough: very easy to get ahold of and deal with.

All the skis you listed are twins. So if if were me, I'd happily get the Helixes again. If I was the industrious sort (I am; I really just did not want to butcher a set of new skis), I'd just cut the fuggin tail off if I did it over again and was using them primarily for touring.

Haven't the Bacons got a lot of sidecut?