In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon QST 92 and the Head Kore 87 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed to handle a variety of conditions and terrains, making them ideal for skiers who love to explore every inch of the mountain. The Salomon QST 92, despite being the narrowest of the QST line, is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon. It's light, nimble, and playful, making it a great option for skiers looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails. On the other hand, the Head Kore 87 is known for its lightweight and powerful performance. It's agile, less tiresome on the legs, and rewards a stronger skier that can drive these skies through all types of mixed conditions. While both skis have their strengths, the choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.

Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain ski. Despite being the narrowest of the QST line, it doesn't compromise on performance. The 92 has less rocker in the tip and tail, giving it more effective edge for carving on trails and hardpack. This makes it a carving and trail specialist, but don't be fooled, it's not a one-trick pony. The cork dampeners in the tip and tail combined with the carbon material woven into the frame keep the ski very nimble and playful when going off trail or into more varied terrain, like trees.

Salomon constructed the QST without metal, making it surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski. This lightness allows it to turn intuitively in tight spots, making it a joy to ski in varied conditions. Whether you're carving down groomed runs or exploring off-piste, the QST 92 is a reliable companion that can handle it all. It's a great all-mountain option for a skier looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails.

Head Kore 87 Skis · 2023 summary

The Head Kore 87 is a ski that's been getting rave reviews across the ski industry for its versatility and performance. It's lightweight and powerful, with a strong flex pattern that rewards a stronger skier. The lightness of the ski makes it very agile and less tiresome on the legs than others in its category, which is a nice plus for those long days on the hill.

The Kore 87 is built with Graphene and carbon, making it incredibly light yet surprisingly stiff. It holds a very strong edge on groomers and ice, but it can still turn on a dime due to its low swing weight. This makes it a great ski for skiers who want a strong and confident ski without the weight of metal. Whether you're carving down groomed runs or tackling mixed conditions, the Kore 87 is a reliable and high-performing choice.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST 92 and the Head Kore 87 are designed as all-mountain skis, meaning they're built to handle a variety of conditions and terrains. They're both versatile and agile, with a strong focus on performance. Both skis are lightweight, making them less tiresome on the legs and more agile on the slopes. They both have a strong flex pattern, rewarding skiers who can drive these skis through all types of mixed conditions. Both skis are also designed to be nimble and playful, making them fun to ski in varied conditions.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain use, they each have their unique strengths and characteristics. The Salomon QST 92, with its less rocker in the tip and tail, is a carving and trail specialist. It's a great option for skiers looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails. Its lightness and nimbleness make it a joy to ski in varied conditions.

On the other hand, the Head Kore 87 is known for its lightweight and powerful performance. It's a bit stiffer than the QST 92, making it a great choice for stronger skiers who can drive these skies through all types of mixed conditions. It's also a great choice for skiers who want a strong and confident ski without the weight of metal.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Salomon QST 92's less rocker in the tip and tail gives it a slight edge for carving on trails and hardpack.

In terms of weight, both skis are lightweight, but the Head Kore 87, with its Graphene and carbon construction, might be a tad lighter, making it a winner in this category.

For agility and playfulness, both skis are nimble and fun to ski. However, the Salomon QST 92's cork dampeners and carbon material make it a bit more playful when going off trail or into more varied terrain.

In terms of power and performance, the Head Kore 87, with its strong flex pattern, rewards a stronger skier, making it the winner in this category.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST 92 and the Head Kore 87 are top-notch all-mountain skis that offer versatility, agility, and performance. The Salomon QST 92 shines in its carving abilities and playful nature, making it a great choice for skiers looking to explore off the trails. The Head Kore 87, on the other hand, stands out for its lightweight yet powerful performance, rewarding stronger skiers who can drive these skies through all types of mixed conditions.

Choosing between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. But rest assured, whether you go with the Salomon QST 92 or the Head Kore 87, you're in for a thrilling ride on the slopes!