Review: Salomon QST 106 Skis · 2023
By Ski Expert
Colin Grey
Salomon QST 106 Skis · 2023
$449.97
$749.95
40% off
6 photos
The Curated Take
4.1/5
The Salomon QST 106 skis are ideal for intermediate to advanced skiers seeking an all-around, directional ski for diverse mountain conditions. They excel in stability and ease of carving on groomers, as well as charging through chopped-up snow. The ski's stiff core and wider tips and tails provide high-speed stability, while its 106mm waist ensures good flotation in powder. However, the skis are slightly heavy and not as playful, focusing more on stability and control. They are an excellent choice for skiers looking for a "quiver-killer" ski that can handle most conditions well.
Ideal for
- Great all-mountain, directional ski
- Capable of charging through chopped-up snow and can carve on groomers
- Ideal option for a one ski quiver-killer
Not ideal for
- Slightly heavy
- Stable but not very playful
Turn Ease
While turn initiation for a ski this wide will never be as easy as for a ski that is 80mm or narrower, this ski can move from edge to edge...Read more
Playfulness
The Salomon QSTs are not designed to be a playful ski, but that doesn't mean they are not lively at all. This ski provides a stable platform for landing off...Read more
Durability
I have put these skis through about 40 days of ski patrolling, which is pretty hard on gear. These skis have hit a lot of rocks, roots, and trees and...Read more
High Speed Stability
The 106mm waist of these skis with wider tips and tails make them really stable at high speeds. This, along with the stiff core and minimal chatter, makes fast skiing...Read more
Carving
The sidecut of this ski gives it an 18-meter turning radius, but this medium-length turn can easily be shortened by pushing the tails out. The stiffness of the ski makes...Read more
Versatility
While I would not say that these skis do any one thing perfectly, they do well in pretty much every condition. The float is enough for a foot plus of...Read more
Flotation
A 106mm waist ski is never going to have the same flotation as a 118mm-plus ski like the QST blank, but for avoiding a pure powder ski, these are a...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Colin Grey
About the ski gear
- Model: Salomon QST 106 Skis · 2023
Test conditions
- When I bought these: December 2022
- Where I’ve used it: Utah
- How many times I've used it: 40
Expert Reviews of the Salomon QST 106 Skis
Colin Grey The Salomon QST 106s are a solid choice for intermediate and advanced skiers looking for a dependable, everyday, all-mountain ski option. A middle-of-the-road turning radius, a stiff core, and wide tips and tails make this ski stable in all types of snow conditions. From groomers, to chopped-up crud and even powder, these skis can do it all. While these skis perform really well in all of these conditions, they are not the best option for playfulness. That being said, for dropping cliffs, these are great skis! They are also on the heavier side, so for a ski that can be used in the backcountry and the resort, these may not be the best option. Overall, there is no one thing this ski does amazingly, but it does everything well, making it a perfect everyday ski.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Includes bindings | No |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Ski type | All Mountain |
| Skill level | Intermediate, Advanced |
Review Ratings
Turn Ease
4/5
Colin Grey gave 4 of 5 stars. While turn initiation for a ski this wide will never be as easy as for a ski that is 80mm or narrower, this ski can move from edge to edge with an ease not typically found in a 106 ski. The turn radius on these skis is a good middle ground, and it is simple to shorten turns by pushing the tails out.
Playfulness
3/5
Colin Grey gave 3 of 5 stars. The Salomon QSTs are not designed to be a playful ski, but that doesn't mean they are not lively at all. This ski provides a stable platform for landing off cliffs and drops of any size, but you won't get much pop off side hits and jumps.
Durability
5/5
Colin Grey gave 5 of 5 stars. I have put these skis through about 40 days of ski patrolling, which is pretty hard on gear. These skis have hit a lot of rocks, roots, and trees and their bases and edges are still in great shape. I have not had any issues with the top sheet, either.
High Speed Stability
5/5
Colin Grey gave 5 of 5 stars. The 106mm waist of these skis with wider tips and tails make them really stable at high speeds. This, along with the stiff core and minimal chatter, makes fast skiing more comfortable in a wide range of conditions. Whether it's a steep line to hike to or just a screaming fast groomer, it will feel stable going fast.
Carving
4/5
Colin Grey gave 4 of 5 stars. The sidecut of this ski gives it an 18-meter turning radius, but this medium-length turn can easily be shortened by pushing the tails out. The stiffness of the ski makes it really easy to lay into carving turns on groomed snow, but they aren't so stiff that legs get tired quickly.
Versatility
4/5
Colin Grey gave 4 of 5 stars. While I would not say that these skis do any one thing perfectly, they do well in pretty much every condition. The float is enough for a foot plus of new snow, and the skis are rock solid on groomers. Tight turns are possible to make skiing in the trees fast and fun, and these skis slay spring slush.
Flotation
4/5
Colin Grey gave 4 of 5 stars. A 106mm waist ski is never going to have the same flotation as a 118mm-plus ski like the QST blank, but for avoiding a pure powder ski, these are a great option. Tip and tail rocker plus some early rise will prevent getting bogged down on those deeper days.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Colin Grey This ski performs well in any conditions imaginable. For a ski this wide, turn initiation is surprisingly easy, and it holds an edge really well on firm snow. This, coupled with a wider tip and tail, makes it a ski that performs well in any conditions. It's a really good, everyday ski option for the Mountain West.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Colin Grey I tend to judge my gear on how it does on the worst days just as much as how it performs in the best snow conditions. I had a spring day skiing a steep chute on Jupiter Peak at Park City Mountain in Utah. The snow had been going through a melt-freeze cycle for a couple of days and was really firm and fast. The QST was able to find an edge to help me check my speed when I know some of my other skis wouldn't have been able to, making what could have been a scary line pretty fun. The stability and smoothness of this ski in sketchy spring conditions surprised me in the best way possible.
Why did you choose this product?
Colin Grey I was looking for a robust ski between 100mm and 110mm waist for everyday use as a ski patroller in Utah. This ski checked a lot of boxes for all-mountain use, and I thought it would do well in all conditions, which it has.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Colin Grey This ski is on par with most other options in the freeride/all-mountain ski category.
