Ski: 2022-2023 Salomon QST Stella 106, 173cm
Test Location: Mt. Crested Butte, CO
Days Skied: 7
Available Lengths: 157, 165, 173 cm
Blister’s Measured Tip-to-Tail Length (straight-tape pull): 171.8 cm
Stated Weight per Ski: 1900 grams
Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski: 1878 & 1891 grams
Stated Dimensions: 138-106-125mm
Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 138.2-105.9-124.9 mm
Stated Sidecut Radius (173 cm): 18 meters
Measured Tip & Tail Splay (ski decambered): 59 mm / 29 mm
Measured Traditional Camber Underfoot: 4 mm
Core Materials: poplar + basalt / carbon fiber stringers + cork tips & tails + titanal binding reinforcement + fiberglass laminate
Base: sintered
Factory Recommended Mount Point: -9.2 cm from center; 76.7 cm from tail
Boots / Bindings: Tecnica Cochise Pro W / Tyrolia Attack 14
Intro
We have seen a few iterations of the Salomon QST family over the past several years since the lineup was first released in 2016, with the most recent update being the all-new 22/23 QST Stella 106.
We initially had some of our female reviewers on the QST Stella 106 at the 2022 Blister Summit, which mostly meant we were skiing it in a lot of pretty deep powder (the weather cooperated very nicely last year…). Since then, we have had quite a few more days on it, which has recently meant a fun mix of fresh snow at Mt. Crested Butte, along with plenty of firmer days earlier this season.
Women-Specific Aspects of the Salomon QST Stella 106
The women’s “Lux, Lumen, and Stella” versions of the QST skis feature the same construction as the unisex equivalents (QST 92, QST 99, and QST 106, respectively), with the women’s versions having different graphics and available lengths. The only model in the lineup that is not offered with its own women-specific graphic and branding is the 112mm-wide QST Blank.
What Salomon says about the QST Stella 106
“The one and only ski you’ll need from opening day ‘til closing. The new QST Stella 106 boasts a redefined, more playful shape that’s heightened by a carbon layup and redesigned cork inserts for power and stability when charging big lines and navigating tight couloirs. If fun and stable rides are what you’re after, the Stella is your perfect match.”
Shape / Rocker Profile
The QST Stella 106 has a fairly tapered shovel and pretty deep rocker lines for a ski of its width. Compared to the 21/22 version of the QST Stella 106, the main differences are a more tapered tip shape and deeper rocker lines, which coincides with their goal of making a more maneuverable, accessible ski.
Flex Pattern
Here’s how we’d characterize the flex pattern of the QST Stella 106:
Tips: 7
Shovels: 7-7.5
In Front of Toe Piece: 8-10
Underfoot: 10
Behind the Heel Piece: 10-8
Tails: 8-7.5
The 22/23 QST Stella 106 is a bit stiffer in the tips and shovel than the 21/22 version, but it’s not a drastic difference. Otherwise, the 22/23 version shares a pretty similar flex pattern to the previous iteration — somewhat soft at the tips and tails, but quite stiff around the middle / binding area.
Mount Point
With a mount point of -9.2 cm from center, the QST Stella 106 has a fairly rearward and traditional mount point, though nothing wildly out of the ordinary.
Weight
The 174 cm QST Stella 106 isn’t wildly heavy, but it is on the heavier side among other women-specific skis we have tested of comparable widths. Given Salomon’s goal of creating a more maneuverable ski than the 21/22 QST Stella 106, it’s not surprising that the new ski is a moderate ~50 g lighter.
For reference, here are a number of our measured weights (per ski in grams) for some notable skis. Keep in mind the length differences to try to keep things apples-to-apples.
1676 & 1700 Majesty Vadera Carbon, 176 cm (22/23)
1693 & 1710 Moment Sierra, 172 cm (21/22)
1709 & 1710 Blizzard Sheeva 10, 172 cm (17/18–22/23)
1735 & 1740 K2 Mindbender 106C, 175 cm (21/22-22/23)
1741 & 1747 Nordica Unleashed 98 W, 174 cm (22/23)
1761 & 1778 Zag Slap 104, 176 cm (21/22-22/23)
1787 & 1798 Faction Dancer 2X, 172 cm (22/23)
1792 & 1792 Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, 172 cm (20/21–22/23)
1797 & 1839 Rossignol Rallybird 102, 170 cm (20/21–22/23)
1806 & 1821 Blizzard Sheeva 11,1831 & 1852
1797 & 1839 Rossignol Rallybird 104 Ti, 171 cm (20/21–22/23)
1836 & 1838 Armada ARW 106 UL, 180 cm (21/22-22/23)
1847 & 1854 Wagner Summit 106 W, 172 cm (21/22-22/23)
1860 & 1862 Majesty Vadera Ti, 176 cm, (22/23)
1867 & 1890 K2 Mindbender 115C, 179 cm (21/22-22/23)
1878 & 1891 Salomon QST Stella 106, 173 cm (22/23)
1881 & 1895 Salomon QST Lumen 99, 174 cm (19/20–21/22)
1917 & 1935 Nordica Santa Ana 98, 172 cm (20/21–22/23)
1928 & 1945 K2 Mindbender 99Ti W, 172 cm (22/23)
1933 & 1975 Volkl Secret 96, 170 cm (21/22–22/23)
1941 & 1948 Salomon QST Stella 106, 174 cm (21/22)
1955 & 1990 Coalition Snow SOS, 173 cm (19/20–20/21)
1958 & 1960 Faction Dancer 3X, 172 cm (22/23)
1969 & 1988 4FRNT MSP CC, 171 cm (20/21–22/23)
1983 & 1999 Nordica Santa Ana 100, 177 cm (18/19 – 19/20)
2068 & 2178 Salomon QST 106, 181 cm (22/23)
2074 & 2088 Line Blade Optic 104, 178 cm (22/23)
2104 & 2115 Volkl Secret 102, 170 cm (19/20–22/23)
Now, onto how all of this translates on snow:
FULL REVIEW
Groomers
Kara Williard (5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg): The QST Stella 106 has proven to be a predictable and capable carving ski for its width, with nice support and stability on edge, though, like most skis this wide, it has its limitations.
Overall, the QST Stella 106 feels most predictable and precise on lower-angle groomers or those that offer grippier snow surfaces, such as fresh corduroy. This is where I felt myself most willing to open it up into larger carves at higher speeds and higher edge angles. However, the QST Stella 106 also felt comfortable slowing down and making smaller carved turns. For a ski of its width, the QST Stella 106 feels pretty intuitive on groomers, though it’s not the best in its class when it comes to edge hold on really firm, scraped-off snow.
The QST Stella 106 felt above average in terms of stability at high speeds on groomers with rough snow (think end-of-day trails with pushed-around snow), and it did an impressive job of smoothing / muting out awkward transitions or rough patches. While I wasn’t always comfortable tipping it into higher edge angles on scraped-off snow, I don’t often find myself feeling that way on most skis of this width, and the QST Stella 106 felt fairly good as far as edge hold goes for this class.
Soft Chop & Powder
As I mentioned in the intro, we’ve recently been fortunate to ski a fair bit of soft chop and fresh snow at Mt. Crested Butte, and the QST Stella 106 has proven to be a worthy tool for the mixture of heavier, unconsolidated snow in newly opened terrain as well as the really tracked-out soft chop that follows. Across all of these “soft” conditions, the QST Stella 106’s combination of maneuverability and pretty impressive suspension has been a highlight.
The QST Stella 106 provides good flotation for its width and easily planes on top of pretty deep snow, while also feeling quite maneuverable and loose enough to move through dense conditions without requiring a ton of effort or having to alter my stance / balance point to keep the ski from diving or feeling too locked in.
For someone who favors a slightly more planted, damp ski when conditions are cut up, rather than a super quick or lively ski, the QST Stella 106 is a sound choice. There are skis that are better for taking a more playful and dynamic approach to skiing powder, whereas the Stella 106 is smoother and more predictable when trying to ski a bit faster in the choppy conditions that often comprise the later parts of a resort powder day. But it accomplishes that while still feeling notably more maneuverable than some of the less rockered, less tapered skis in this class.
Firm Chop / Crud
As I alluded to above, I have been quite impressed by the suspension offered by the QST Stella 106, which is nice both in softer chop and the firmer, more set-up crud that follows. There have been a lot of choppy and variable days so far this season, and much of what was stated above re: chop translates pretty well to the rougher crud, too.
Personally, this ski complements my skiing style in chop or cruddy snow — it’s stable and feels quite planted and plush at moderate speeds, but it’s also maneuverable, easy to pivot, slow down, or ski more conservatively. Given that firmer variable conditions are challenging to ski in the first place, this blend of damping and accessibility can be really useful.
Now, if you are looking for the hardest charging ski that feels the most planted and composed in rough snow — and you find yourself in conditions like these quite frequently — there are some skis in this category that will offer an even more plush, calm ride (e.g., Volkl Secret 102). But the QST Stella 106 does quite well in the conditions, especially relative to how easy it is to pilot at moderate speeds and in tight terrain, and how well-rounded it feels in general.
Moguls, Trees, & Tight Terrain
The QST Stella 106 has a lot to offer in tight terrain, with a fairly loose ride, a somewhat forgiving flex pattern, and a bit of energy when transitioning between turns in tight spaces.
If you want your ~105mm-wide ski to still be pretty enjoyable in moguls and tight terrain, and especially if you expect to ski this terrain in conditions ranging from firm to deep, the QST Stella 106 is a good choice for this application. Despite its very nice suspension / damping, it’s still easy to pivot and doesn’t feel very heavy / sluggish.
The QST Stella 106 doesn’t have the strongest or most powerful tail like some other comparable skis in this category (e.g., Volkl Secret 102, Folsom Cash 106, & Fischer Ranger 102), but the QST Stella 106 does still feel most intuitive when staying out of the backseat. While it isn’t the strongest or most punishing ski, the overall flex pattern of the Stella 106 feels most intuitive when driving its shovels; it does also accept a slightly more upright stance and doesn’t necessarily require the skier to really power it through each turn, but rather ski with a little more finesse. I.e., it’s not what I’d pick if I wanted the most nimble or forgiving ski, but for how capable it is in rough conditions and higher speeds, it’s pretty accessible when trying to work your way through challenging, techy terrain.
Playfulness
For a directional ski, the QST Stella 106 is pretty playful and makes sense for the directional skier who still wants something that’s fairly maneuverable and not super one-dimensional in terms of only wanting to be skied hard all the time. It’s easy to pivot and turn, gives into the occasional high-speed slash, and is energetic enough to feel lively when you’re not pushing your limits. While it felt most intuitive when driving the shovels, it also felt reasonable to maneuver from a more centered stance, so there is more than one type of skier that can get along with this ski. It doesn’t feel like a full-on freestyle ski, but it’s quite playful overall for a directional ski.
Mount Point
With a pretty traditional, rearward mount point of -9.2 cm from center, the QST Stella 106 behaves and performs like a directional ski (albeit a somewhat playful one, as we just touched on). Because I tend to be a pretty forward, directional skier, I was quite happy with the mount point in all conditions, though I think skiers who prefer a more centered stance might prefer it mounted a cm or two forward of that line.
Length
I had an original (unfounded) theory that the 174 cm QST Stella 106 was going to feel a bit short. After skiing it on some days when all of the extreme terrain opened at Mt. Crested Butte, I officially dropped that idea. As someone who tends to ski anything from 170 cm to 180 cm, the 174 cm QST Stella 106 has proven to be a very comfortable length that provides plenty of stability in open terrain and maneuverability in very tight terrain.
I still think it seems reasonable for me to hop on and compare the 181 cm (in this case, it would be the men’s / unisex QST 106), particularly if I were skiing open faces and terrain with more line choices, but the 174 cm was an intuitive choice for my daily skiing.
Who’s It For?
The QST Stella 106 is a notably versatile ski for its width. It could likely work well for a lot of directional skiers who want a ski that will excel in powder and soft conditions but that also offers better suspension and stability on firmer snow than most of its similarly maneuverable counterparts.
As for the skiers that the QST Stella 106 is not for — if you are looking for a super light and lively ski, or something that will really excel in firm or cruddy conditions, there are better options that offer the ideal characteristics on either extreme of this spectrum.
But the QST Stella 106 is quite versatile, predictable, and strikes a nice balance of maneuverability and stability, making it well suited to someone who is looking for a wider all-mountain ski that is predictable in everything from fairly firm to quite deep conditions, and from wide-open bowls to tight tree lines. If you prefer a wider 1-ski quiver, it’s a great choice, and could also serve well as the wider ski in a bigger quiver.
Bottom Line
The Salomon QST Stella 106 is a wider all-mountain ski that offers a lot of versatility and has proven to be pretty predictable and comfortable in a lot of conditions and terrain. While it doesn’t feel like it was designed for super particular niches in terms of conditions or terrain, it handles a lot of scenarios really well and provides an impressive level of performance for someone who is looking for a ski that manages to accomplish the (challenging) goal of feeling pretty damp and stable when the snow is nasty while also being quite maneuverable and even playful in tighter terrain and more forgiving conditions.
Deep Dive Comparisons
Become a Blister Member or Deep Dive subscriber to check out our Deep Dive comparisons of the QST Stella 106 to see how it compares to the Nordica Santa Ana 104 Free, Blizzard Sheeva 10, Faction Dancer 3X, K2 Mindbender 106C, Head Kore 103 W, Volkl Secret 102, Armada ARW 106 UL, ZAG Slap 104, Line Blade Optic 104, Fischer Ranger 102, Majesty Vadera Ti, and Blizzard Sheeva 11.
Be interested to hear how they compare to the K2 MB 106 and the Enforcer 104. Is the QST Stella the same as the QST, just shorter lengths?
Thx for the review :) “As for the skiers that the QST Stella 106 is not for — if you are looking for a super light and lively ski, or something that will really excel in firm or cruddy conditions, there are better options that offer the ideal characteristics on either extreme of this spectrum. ” What would you propose for that? Especially for female skiers :)
I am thinking about moving my mount point forward on these. I have never done that before so am looking for moral support. Kara does recommend as a possibility in her review, so thanks! I do have a question though.
Reason I’m asking is that while I love it at higher speeds. Gives back more that I put in! love that feeling when the ski wants to share its power with me. But… if I get into tight spots, esp in heavy snow at slow (=survival -skiing) speeds, I end up sweaty and grumpy trying to power it around, especially when shovels loaded with snow. If I can’t get enough momentum to “unweight”, I end up paying my dues in sweat. This is the biggest ski I’ve ever owned so maybe this is just the way it is.
Last thought: Anyone have any secret top sheet grease or wax to minimize buildup on shovels? I’ve seen some in stores but wondering if anything really works. French fry grease?
Update on the binding mount question. I did the forward move (maybe 2 cms) and my goal of feeling a bit more in charge of the tips in tight terrain was accomplished. Haven’t had a chance to see how much it helps with 10 pounds of heavy wet snow riding on the ski, but in a few inches of fresh on top of bumps, I was greatly rewarded by this change of mount point. I wish all skis came with track or demo type bindings. So easy. It’s also fun just to change things up and see how it feels. I was nervous about it, but thanks to Kara’s mention (and Blister’s inclusion of) mount point, I got the little push I needed to try it.
I have a (very) old tub of Swix F4 paste wax that I use for topsheets. An old trick from my racing days.