Variable, Firm Conditions
At Alyeska and in Sun Valley I’ve skied my share of both breakable and supportive crust, refrozen slop, and crud, often in some tight spots with rocks and trees in close proximity. In these conditions I might generally prefer the Cochise but, overall, I was impressed with the QST as a very versatile ski that had enough float to stay on top of the breakable stuff, is stiff enough to hold an edge when the needed and forgiving enough to pull myself out of the backseat when I got knocked.
I did notice that it took a little more effort to break the tails free for quick skidded turns and I found myself exaggerating this just a little more with the QST than I needed to with the other skis I’ve been on recently (Wailer 106, Zero G, 100Eight, and the 17/18 Nordica Enforcer 110). I think this is partily due to the mount point of the 106 being a bit more traditional feeling and to the traditional camber extending back toward the tail a bit further. It was subtle enough that I didn’t think about it at all until I subsequently jumped on the other skis mentioned so I really don’t consider it a liability of the QST 106.
Moguls
I do ski moguls sometimes and occasionally I even enjoy it! Sun Valley has its share of nicely spaced and sizable moguls and Alyeska currently has its share of not to well spaced and trashy moguls (Jim’s Branch below the North Face is a bit of a bumpy but fun mess right now). In these conditions the low swing weight of the QST 106 makes them feel agile enough for me to get then around when I need them to. They did feel like a bit more work in the bumps than DPS Wailer 106, especially at slower speeds where the Wailer excelled. Once I started hitting the bumps with more speed I appreciated the flex and pop of the QST. The Volkl 100eight felt a little heavier to swing around and the elongated, full rocker made them feel a little looser when it came to quick pivots in the bumps.
Powder
I showed up to Sun Valley after one of the biggest storms they’d seen in several years and immediately dove into some great lift served powder skiing. After just one run Jonathan’s speculation about the powder performance of these skis jumped out at me. I’ve been trying to think of another ~106mm ski that’s as fun in powder as the QST 106 and I can’t think of any despite having skied at least a dozen modern offerings in this waist width.
The QST 106 is way more fun in pow than I could have imagined and I found myself, slashing, drifting and even (almost) slarving out some ridiculously fun powder turns. When I got them into some tighter tree skiing situations in sparsely tracked, knee deep pow, they were as intuitive as any powder ski I’ve ridden. I felt quick and confident skiing into the tight trees at high speeds knowing that I could make quick direction changes and, if need be, shut them down almost as quickly as I could a dedicated pow ski. Super fun.
My time skiing powder on them had me thinking a lot about how good these would be with a binding like a Marker Kingpin as a do-everything ski for travel or just for those who prefer to do everything from big tours to long days of mechanized skiing on one pair of skis. I’d happily tour for pow on these and I tend to prefer much fatter skis for my pow seeking missions. (But to be honest, I’ve done all of my touring the last few weeks on the excellent Volkl BMT 122 and, while the QST is great in pow for it’s width, it still doesn’t compare to a 120mm+ ski.)
Bottom Line
The Salomon QST 106 resides in a competitive and very versatile category of 105-110 mm skis that are robust enough for inbounds riding, but light enough for big days of touring. There are other skis in this category that are easier to ski, but they are less stable (the DPS Wailer 106 comes to mind). Then there are other skis that are more stable and predictable in firm and choppy conditions, but not as much fun in powder (e.g., the Volkl 100Eight). Overall, the QST 106 is super fun ski that carves groomers pretty powerfully, holds its own in variable conditions, and skis powder better than any ~106 mm ski I can remember. If I was forced to pick one ski to take on a trip where I knew I was going to ride lifts a lot but also planned to do some ski touring, the QST and a capable touring binding would be among my top choices.
NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics
Excellent review – sounds like a perfect ski for me. Thank you.
How does it compare to the Black Crows Atris? (similar progressive stiffness I suspect?)
Hi Fredrik,
I don’t believe Paul has skied the Atris. I’ve only briefly skied the Atris and QST 106, and it was last season. However, I felt like they were different enough that I could offer some insight. I’ve also spent some recent time on the QST 99. The Atris felt like it skied short, and I don’t recall feeling this way about the QST 106 (or the QST 99). I also remember the Atris being very poppy or lively, whereas I don’t recall the QST 106 having this character (same with the QST 99). It’s more of a subdued carver.
Let’s hear more about the 100eight ! Looking at that for a 50/50 ski in the PNW, cheers
it’s a good ski Jim. Working on the review now.
How would you compare this ski to Line Sick Day 102? Both seem to be made for the same type of use and for same type of user. They both have low swing weight, and can be used anywhere in the mountain.
Thanks
Paul, sounds like you skied the new Nordica Enforcer 110. Tell me more! Thanks.
hi,
I’m coming from a rocker 108, do they ski similar to them? I’ve throughly enjoyed the rockers to the point where they are now beat up and need replacing.
thanks in advance
yea, also really interested of this comparison ..and maybe Q-155.. it quite close
I am looking at replacing my Q-Labs with the QST 106. Worried that the QST might be a bit weaker than the Labs. Any thoughts?
Any initial thoughts comparing to the Line Supernatural 108? Very excited about this review, great job!
I have the Kingpins on this ski and love this setup for resort and day touring missions. Ive skied some deep days and yes, Paul is right in saying its not a 120mm+ ski but dam did it ski well on the deep days the West Coast has seen this season :)
Hi Paul,
How did you like the ski with one of your lighter boot options? I’m using a TLT6 and they don’t quite have enough oomph for my Carbon Megawatts. Looking to get something smaller that’s a little more all-condition but that also lets me run the TLT6. Touring only.
Thanks,
Dave
Paul,
I just purchased this ski to function as my touring ski (w/ MTN Lab boots & Fritschi Tecton’s). I had a question about the mount point. I come form a decidedly “new school” skiing background, and typically ski with a more center balanced stance. Do you think mounting these +1 cm from recommended would provide a surfier feel (with easy tail disengagement)? The other reason I’m considering a +1 mount is to provide a more balanced swing weight since I’m one of those people that likes to spin 3’s off everything I can. If this is going to have a drastic negative impact on the way the ski generally performs, I’ll just stick to the recommended line.
Bryce
Went searching for a powder ski to ski the 4-6 in. we get up here on a regular basis (Inland PNW). I am 75yrs old, 220 with equipment on. Demo’d Rossi soul 7 (6-8in day) and thought the ski was too soft for me, turned great – maybe too great and found myself 90 degrees across the hill too many times, ok on groomers but deflects too easily. Rossi 7 liked ski but felt like I was in back seat all the time and I wasn’t, lots of tip flap on irregular groomer. K2 Pinnacle, just did not feel comfortable on ski. Liberty Origin 106 like the ski in the powder, turned easily but no suprises, passably ok on groomers. At that point I liked the Liberty the best. Took ski thru the trees, fall line steeps and down my favorite gladed area and liked ski in powder.
The last ski I tried aboutd 2 pm was the Solomon QST 181cm at first didn’t particularly like the ski but the more I was on it the better it felt. I went back to the exact same lines I skied the Liberty and felt the QST was damper and poppier than the Liberty and I could get more out of the ski. The QST was much better on the groomers even took up to high speeds and skiers were great.
Decided on the QST 106 at 181s and like the ski. I have a pair of Praxis Protests for deep powder and cat and heli skiing but the QST really performs well on the 3-8 in days at the resort. Don’t skin anymore and found these skis were what I needed.
Hey. I’m 85 kg and 178 cm. How long do you think I need 181 or 188? Thank you.
Paul..Thanks for a nice review…again.
I’m going to set the 181s with a shift binding for a 50/50 travel set up which in reality is more like a 80on/20off. Thoughts on the mount position?
I’m 5’11, 180 centered skier with feet on the ground these days…. looking for a surfy playful feel with solid support in sketchy high consequence territory….think Alps.
Thanks, Kev
Hi, its a bit old to be posting here but was just wondering if you had any suggestions to skis that are very similar to these skis? I’ve had both of the newer versions of the qst 106 but i feel they have gotten worse and really wish I could have this 2017/18 version again. Any ideas of skis that are being sold at the moment that are very similar?