About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skis, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2022.

My take

The Salomon QST 106 is a versatile ski that does well in many conditions. It is playful and best suits intermediate to expert skiers.

About the skis I own

• Model: 2022 Salomon QST 106
• Size: 181cm

About me

• Height: 5’9”
• Weight: 145lbs
• Experience: 16 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2022
• Days tested: 10
• Mount position: +2cm from recommended
• Boots: 2018 Full Tilt Classic with ZipFit liner and booster strap
• Boot Size: 25.5
• Bindings: 2019 Salomon STH2 16
• Where I’ve used it: Crested Butte, Monarch
• Terrain: Technical steeps, powder, chop, groomers, park

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for a lighter and quicker ski than my Black Ops 118s that would do better in firm snow.

Why I chose this gear

I decided to purchase the QSTs because they were a versatile all-mountain ski that would be nimble in tight terrain. In addition, they appeared to be equally playful and stable. I considered the Black Crows Atris and the Dynastar M-Free 108 as well. My decision favoring the Salomons over the other options was the medium weight and slightly softer flex.

What I love about them

• Edge hold: I never detuned the edges out of the plastic, yet the tips and tails do not feel hooky. When carving on firm groomers, the edge hold is strong and predictable.
• Turns: The QST 106 is a reasonably soft ski, allowing it to bend into different turn shapes. They prefer medium-speed turns, as the lack of stiffness and weight limits stability. The QST can feel a bit unsteady when making very high-speed turns.
• Groomers: The strong edge hold and relatively soft flex make the QST 106 fun on groomers compared to other mid-fat freeride skis. They are soft enough to bend into tight turns and jib around on side hits.
• Powder: Plenty of tip and tail rocker allow the QST 106 to float and slash through shallow and medium powder. They are certainly not dedicated pow skis, although they perform well for having a 106mm waist. I would prefer a wider ski for deep powder (over 12 inches).
• Trees: The fairly deep rocker lines help the QST pivot quickly in trees.
• Moguls: Once again, the deep rocker and moderately soft flex let them easily pivot through moguls.
• Durability: After 10 or 15 days of hard use, the QST 106 shows absolutely zero significant damage.
• Weight: About 2,100 grams per ski at 181cm. This is in the middle of the pack as far as ~105mm wide freeride skis go. This medium weight lets the ski remain stable in rough snow and be nimble in tight terrain.
• Switch riding: Despite the traditional mount point, these skis ride switch quite well on groomed snow. Due to the fairly low and subtle tail splay, I wouldn’t recommend skiing these switch in powder or variable snow.
• Versatility: The QST is one of the most versatile all-mountain skis on the market. It is light and soft enough to be nimble in tight terrain yet stable enough to be super confident at anything less than maximum speeds. The 106 width can be used in nearly any snow condition, from firm groomers to fairly deep powder. The QST 106 can be used as a one-ski quiver in places with a decent amount of snow.
• Flotation: For only being 106mm wide, the QST floats very well. The deep rocker lines and medium/soft flex allow the ski to plane up above soft snow. I prefer a wider ski for very deep snow, but in any moderate snow, the QST does fine.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Speed: The QST 106 isn’t the stiffest ski, limiting stability at speed. The bases are certainly fast and great for traversing, but very high speeds down the fall line can be a bit scary.
• Park: The traditional shape and mount point lead these to struggle in the park. I prefer a more symmetrical ski with a center mount when spinning around in the park. In addition, the QST 106 is not the most balanced ski for sliding rails or spinning/flipping on jumps.
• Backcountry: I consider the QST 106 a bit heavy for true backcountry use.
• Stability: I prefer a heavier and stiffer ski in rough snow and at high speeds. When charging at very high speeds in variable snow conditions, the QST 106 gets knocked around fairly easily.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment on the QST 106 was skiing High Life at Crested Butte on a very firm day. High Life is a very steep and technical zone, and the maneuverability of these skis allowed me to make quick jump turns without hesitation. I spend a lot of time on the Rossignol Black Ops 118, and I found the QST 106 to be much better in tight, technical terrain.

Value for the money vs. other options

The Salomon QST 106 comes at a lower price than many other skis in the 105-110mm range. It is certainly not a bad ski, but more aggressive skiers may prefer a heavier, stiffer option like the Dynastar M-Free 108 or Blizzard Cochise.

Final verdict

After spending about 10 days on the Salomon QST 106, I began to enjoy the playfulness and agility in technical terrain. The QST 106 is not a ski for hard-charging skiers that love to bomb through chop and send the biggest hits. This ski is best suited for intermediate to expert skiers that ski at more moderate speeds and prioritize agility over stability.