In the world of women's skis, the Salomon QST Stella 106 and the Black Crows Atris Birdie are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced female skiers who want to conquer the entire mountain, from deep powder stashes to groomed runs. The Stella, with its 106 mm waist and lighter build, is a powerful yet playful ski that busts through crud and powder with ease. On the other hand, the Atris Birdie, with its 105 mm waist and poplar core, is a versatile ski that shines in soft snow and powder but also performs well on groomed runs and at high speeds. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.

Salomon QST Stella 106 Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Salomon QST Stella 106 is a versatile all-mountain ski designed for the discerning female skier. With a 106 mm waist, this ski is built for shredding the entire mountain, from deep powder stashes to ripping on groomers. The Stella is lighter than most skis in its class, thanks to the use of carbon and flax in its construction instead of metal. This lighter build, combined with rocker in the tip and tail, makes the Stella a powerful yet playful ski that can bust through crud and powder with hardly a thought.

The Stella's performance has not gone unnoticed. In fact, Outside Magazine named the Stella as their Most Improved Ski. This ski is not just for powder days, though. With Titanal underfoot and down the spine of the ski, the Stella transfers power well on hard pack, but still allows for a playful, buttery feel in mixed conditions.

The Salomon QST Stella 106 is a great do-everything ski that can take on the whole mountain. When heaven smiles on us and provides powder, you will want this ski. The dimensions are 136 tip 106 waist and 123 tail. With the partial twin tip to provide the easy in and out of the soft snow (powder), you are going to be happy this is the ski you chose.

Black Crows Atris Birdie Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Black Crows Atris Birdie is a ski designed for confident and advanced/expert skiers looking for the best off-piste experience. With a 105 mm waist and a poplar core, the Atris Birdie is designed to shine in soft snow and powder. But Black Crows didn't stop there. They redesigned the ski for 2023, shortening the amount of rocker and increasing the camber of the ski. This left the Atris Birdie's commanding performance in powder intact, but made it more versatile as an all-around ski, improving its edge grip on groomed runs and its stability at high speeds.

The Atris Birdie is a super fun ski for the discerning lady skier who wants a powder ski that is still easy to manage in more technical terrain. It's playful in trees and bumps and has massive shovels for tips to allow you to float in deep powder. The slight twin tip could allow you to get creative with some fun spins and jumps as well. That being said, they still shine on groomers where an excellent edge hold does not disappoint when you need to kick it up a notch speed-wise.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST Stella 106 and the Black Crows Atris Birdie are designed for advanced female skiers who want to conquer the entire mountain. They both have a wide waist, with the Stella at 106 mm and the Atris Birdie at 105 mm, making them ideal for deep powder and soft snow. Both skis also feature a rocker in the tip and tail, which allows for easy maneuverability and a playful feel on the slopes.

Both skis are also designed to be versatile, capable of handling a variety of snow conditions and terrains. They can both rip on groomers and bust through crud and powder with ease. Additionally, both skis have been praised for their stability at high speeds, making them a great choice for skiers who like to push their limits.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Salomon QST Stella 106 and the Black Crows Atris Birdie have many similarities, they also have some key differences that make them suitable for different types of skiers. The Stella, with its lighter build due to the use of carbon and flax, is a great choice for skiers who value a lightweight ski that doesn't compromise on power or performance. It's also a great choice for skiers who primarily ski on the west coast, as it's designed to handle the deep powder and mixed conditions often found there.

On the other hand, the Atris Birdie, with its poplar core and redesigned rocker and camber, is a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can handle off-piste adventures with ease. It's also a great choice for skiers who want a ski that can handle a variety of conditions, from groomers to powder to technical terrain. However, it's not the best choice for skiers who prefer to stick to groomers or icy conditions, as it doesn't have the best edge hold in these conditions.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Salomon QST Stella 106 and the Black Crows Atris Birdie, it's clear that both skis excel in different areas.

1. Versatility: Both skis are versatile, but the Atris Birdie's redesigned rocker and camber give it a slight edge in this category. It's designed to handle a wider range of conditions and terrains, from groomers to powder to technical terrain.

2. Performance in Powder: Both skis perform well in powder, but the Stella's 106 mm waist and lighter build give it a slight advantage in deep powder and soft snow.

3. Stability at High Speeds: Both skis are stable at high speeds, but the Atris Birdie's poplar core and redesigned rocker and camber give it a slight edge in this category. It's designed to absorb vibrations well and provide a smooth ride at higher speeds.

4. Price: The Stella is generally more affordable than the Atris Birdie, making it a better choice for skiers on a budget.

Overall, the winner will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. If you value a lightweight ski that excels in powder, the Stella may be the better choice. If you want a ski that can handle a wide range of conditions and terrains, the Atris Birdie may be the better choice.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST Stella 106 and the Black Crows Atris Birdie are excellent choices for advanced female skiers who want to conquer the entire mountain. The Stella, with its lighter build and wider waist, is a powerful yet playful ski that excels in deep powder and soft snow. The Atris Birdie, with its poplar core and redesigned rocker and camber, is a versatile ski that can handle a wide range of conditions and terrains.

The choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. If you value a lightweight ski that doesn't compromise on power or performance, the Stella may be the better choice. If you want a ski that can handle off-piste adventures with ease, the Atris Birdie may be the better choice. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. Happy shredding!