Expert Comparison: Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis · Women's · 2024 vs Atomic Maven 86 Skis · Women's · 2024

Published on 02/03/2024 · 7 min readCompare Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis · Women's · 2024 and Atomic Maven 86 Skis · Women's · 2024. Get expert insight below!
Charlotte H, Ski Expert
Peter Locke, Ski Expert
Sara Beeken, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Charlotte H, Peter Locke, Sara Beeken, Elias Lawson, Gabriel Alexander and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis · Women's · 2025
Out of stock
Atomic Maven 86 Skis · Women's · 2024
Price
See Price and Details
$269.97
40% off
User rating
5(2)
5(2)
The Curated Take

Best for skiers who want a versatile all-mountain ski that performs well on groomers and powder.

Best for women seeking a versatile all-mountain ski with optimal edge contact in any snow condition.

Ski type
All Mountain
All Mountain
Skill level
Intermediate, Advanced
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of women's all-mountain skis, the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Atomic Maven 86 are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a blend of power, stability, and versatility. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a revamped version of their old Lux, packing extra power and stability into their tips, making them a directional all-mountain charger. On the other hand, the Atomic Maven 86 is a kinder, gentler version of the Maven 86 C, perfect for skiers just transitioning from the rental phase or less aggressive skiers who prioritize sane speeds and precise turns. Both skis are great for East Coast skiing, but the Salomon QST Lux 92 might be a bit too demanding for beginners or those who prefer a more relaxed ride. The Atomic Maven 86, while not as powerful, is more forgiving and easier to maneuver, making it a great choice for those looking to progress their skills on groomers and in the trees.

Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis are a revamped version of their old Lux, designed to be a directional all-mountain charger. They have added extra power and stability into their tips, making them a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. These skis are stiff and pack a lot of power, especially in their tips. They have a little bit of extra rocker through their tips, which makes them easier to initiate turns with. In contrast, they have a lot of camber underfoot, which allows you to really lay into a turn. They're able to accept all that power that you put into them without sliding out on you.

The QST Luxes are a more demanding ski, requiring quite a bit of energy to get turning. However, once they are turning, they are really fun throughout the turn. They have really awesome edge hold and will plow through anything that you send them through, including variable, choppy, uneven terrain. They're not afraid at any speeds and will keep on moving for you. With all this camber underfoot, they're going to feel pretty energetic for you if you can really put some power into the tips. They will reward you with a pretty energetic turn and give you lots of acceleration coming out of your turn.

These skis are not the most playful in the conventional sense due to their weight. However, someone who knows how to power through them can have a lot of fun on them. They're great in uneven terrain and chunder, powering through anything that you could put them in. They're also moderately maneuverable through the trees, but they are a really demanding ski. So, if you're not someone who's riding forward while you're in the trees, these skis will feel like a lot of energy to get them to turn where you want.

The QST Luxes are a more demanding ski, so they require quite a bit of energy to get turning. Once they are turning, they are really fun throughout the turn. But, they certainly require a driver to be forward on their skis and really pushing into the tips.

Charlotte H
Ski Expert

The Atomic Maven 86 Skis are a kinder, gentler version of the Maven 86 C, perfect for skiers just transitioning from the rental phase or less aggressive skiers who prioritize sane speeds and precise turns. They offer a perfect blend of rocker and camber for optimal edge contact in any snow condition. The lightweight construction and Dura Cap sidewall make for a responsive and easy-to-turn ski, perfect for exploring the entire mountain.

The Mavens have a bit of rocker in the tip which is going to help ease into turn initiation. But, they also boast a good amount of camber underfoot which really adds a bit of pop into your turns and helps you move from turn to turn whether that's in tighter spaces like moguls or you're cruising down groomers. The camber underfoot is going to get you from one turn to the next.

These skis are more playful than some that are made with titanal but they're not going to be as soft as something that doesn’t have any carbon in it. Also, this ski does have some good energy, but it's not going to take you for a ride and feel overbearing. They are super playful and very responsive to the point where you feel more confident skiing on them.

The tighter the spots I got into, the more comfortable I felt on them. Whereas if you're skiing a ski that's 10-15 millimeters underfoot wider, you might feel a little bit nervous and like it's hard to get your skis around in time for whatever obstacle you're approaching. No issues with that here! They are super playful and very responsive to the point where I felt more confident skiing on them.

Charlotte H
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Atomic Maven 86 are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and are categorized as all-mountain skis. They both have a blend of rocker and camber, which allows for optimal edge contact and performance in any snow condition. Both skis are also designed to be versatile and suitable for a variety of terrain, from groomers to glades. They both offer excellent edge grip, performance, and stability. Both skis are also recommended for East Coast skiing, where conditions are often icy or packed.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, they cater to different types of skiers. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a more demanding ski, requiring quite a bit of energy to get turning. It's a great choice for skiers who are more aggressive and like to charge down the mountain. It's also a good choice for skiers who like to ski in a variety of conditions, from groomers to uneven terrain and chunder.

On the other hand, the Atomic Maven 86 is a kinder, gentler ski, perfect for skiers just transitioning from the rental phase or less aggressive skiers who prioritize sane speeds and precise turns. It's a great choice for skiers who are looking to progress their skills on groomers and in the trees. It's also a good choice for skiers who prefer a more relaxed ride.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to power and stability, the Salomon QST Lux 92 takes the lead. Its stiff construction and extra power packed into the tips make it a force to be reckoned with on the slopes. For skiers who like to charge down the mountain and push their limits, the Salomon QST Lux 92 is the clear winner.

In terms of versatility and ease of use, the Atomic Maven 86 comes out on top. Its kinder, gentler construction makes it a great choice for skiers who are just transitioning from the rental phase or prefer a more relaxed ride. It's also easier to maneuver and transition between turns, making it a great choice for exploring the entire mountain.

For playfulness and responsiveness, both skis have their strengths. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is more demanding and requires a driver to be forward on their skis, but it's also more playful and energetic. The Atomic Maven 86, on the other hand, is more forgiving and easier to turn, making it a great choice for skiers who want a more relaxed ride.

Finally, when it comes to edge hold and performance in different snow conditions, both skis perform well. However, the Salomon QST Lux 92's stiff construction and extra power packed into the tips give it an edge in terms of edge hold and performance in variable, choppy, uneven terrain.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Atomic Maven 86 are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a more demanding ski, packing extra power and stability into their tips, making them a directional all-mountain charger. The Atomic Maven 86, on the other hand, is a kinder, gentler ski, perfect for skiers just transitioning from the rental phase or less aggressive skiers who prioritize sane speeds and precise turns. Both skis offer excellent edge grip, performance, and stability, making them great choices for a variety of terrain and snow conditions. Ultimately, the best ski for you will depend on your personal skiing style, preferences, and the conditions in which you typically ski.

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