Ski Reviews
2023-2024 Salomon QST Blank, 186 cm
Reviewer Username: Dennis C
Reviewer Height: 5’8″
Reviewer Weight: 205 lbs
Reviewer Experience Level: Advanced
DAYS USED: 1 days
TEST LOCATIONS: Crested Butte
TEST TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers | Firm moguls | Softer moguls | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain | Trees
TEST CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Untracked powder (deep) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud
PERFORMANCE RATINGS
(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)
OVERALL IMPRESSION: 8/10
FORGIVENESS: 6/10
MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 7/10
MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 7/10
STABILITY: 8/10
SUSPENSION: 8/10
EDGE HOLD: 7/10
PLAYFULNESS: 7/10
SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (186 cm length tested)
THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Softer groomers | Firm moguls | Softer moguls | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain | Very steep off-piste terrain | Trees
THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Untracked powder (shallow) | Untracked powder (deep) | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud
WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?
This is a fantastic one ski quiver for skiers who like a directional freeride ski with a sprinkling of playfulness and who live in areas that see good snowfall. If you spend most of your time in double black or EX terrain and still want to have fun on the way back to the lift on the groomers and side hits this is a great ski for it.
ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?
QST X is very similar but with a bit more progressive center mounted feel and more playfulness/forgiveness. But with those changes comes a compromise of some stability, dampness and charge-ability.
PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!
Overall the QST Blank met my preferences fairly well. There were a couple of instances in very steep terrain where I got back seat and could tell the ski did not want me there at all but also didn’t necessarily punish me either. As far as personal preference, the QST X aligned a bit more with my personal ski flavor, but I would be happy to ski the Blank any day.