Expert Comparison: Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 vs Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023
VS
Side by side comparison | Out of stock | Out of stock |
|---|---|---|
Price | $419.97 40% off | $329.97 40% off |
User rating | 5(3) | 5(4) |
The Curated Take | Best for advanced-expert skiers seeking high speed stability and versatility in variable snow conditions. | Best for modern freeride skiers seeking a versatile, responsive all-mountain ski. |
Ski type | All Mountain | All Mountain |
Skill level | Advanced, Expert | Intermediate, Advanced |
Rocker profile | Rocker/Camber/Rocker | Rocker/Camber/Rocker |
In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon Stance 96 and Salomon QST 92 are two top contenders for 2023. Both skis are designed for advanced skiers who want to tackle a variety of terrains and conditions. The Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's perfect for skiers who love to charge but want something forgiving enough to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. On the other hand, the QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon. It's surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski and can turn intuitively in tight spots. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.
Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023 summary
The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced, all-mountain ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. This ski is designed for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. The Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction.
The Stance 96 is a great ski for skiers who love to charge, but want something with just enough forgiveness to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. It has a touch of tail splay and some metal material removed in the tips and tails, making it just compliant enough to make all kinds of turn shapes. The ski is very stable thanks to the camber and metal construction.
The Stance 96 excels at long, fast carves, but as an expert skier, you'll find that it achieves a really great balance that retains that fast carving ability, but allows you to make really fun, high-energy, short turns as well. It's built to ski groomers, no matter how recently groomed, and does it with poise and power.
However, the Stance 96 does have some limitations. It lacks float in powder and can be tough to navigate in trees. Because these are heavy, metal, directional skis, they aren’t meant to be taken into the park nor backcountry and would not excel there. Neither do they excel at riding switch.
The Salomon Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction. In a category where most skis do the main thing well—carve really fast on all snow—the Stance does the other things really well. It is happy to ski the additional bump and it loves to make all lengths of turns.
The Salomon Stance 96 is a directional all-mountain charger that stands out from its competition thanks to its reasonable price point and nuanced construction. In a category where most skis do the main thing well—carve really fast on all snow—the Stance does the other things really well. It is happy to ski the additional bump and it loves to make all lengths of turns.
Salomon Stance 96 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023 summary
The Salomon QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain ski. Despite it being the narrowest of the QST line, the 92 has less rocker in the tip and tail, giving it more effective edge for carving on trails and hardpack. And though the 92 is narrow enough to be considered a carving and trail specialist, 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.
Because Salomon constructed the QST without metal, it is surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski and can turn intuitively in tight spots. This is a great all-mountain option for a skier looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails.
The QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon. It's surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski and can turn intuitively in tight spots. It's a great all-mountain option for a skier looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails.
However, the QST 92 is not great at shorter radius turns and its stiff construction might not be for everybody.
The QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon, despite it being the narrowest of the QST line. The 92 has less rocker in the tip and tail, giving it more effective edge for carving on trails and hardpack. And though the 92 is narrow enough to be considered a carving and trail specialist, 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.
The QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon, despite it being the narrowest of the QST line. The 92 has less rocker in the tip and tail, giving it more effective edge for carving on trails and hardpack. And though the 92 is narrow enough to be considered a carving and trail specialist, 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 QST 92 Skis · 2023
- We price match
- Returnable
Similarities
Both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Salomon QST 92 are designed for advanced skiers who want to tackle a variety of terrains and conditions. They are both all-mountain skis, meaning they are designed to perform well on both groomed runs and off-piste. Both skis are also designed to be versatile, with the ability to handle a variety of snow conditions and types of terrain.
Both skis are also designed with a focus on stability and control. The Stance 96 achieves this through its metal-reinforced construction and camber, while the QST 92 uses a combination of cork dampeners and carbon material woven into the frame. Both skis are also designed to be nimble and playful, with the ability to make a variety of turn shapes.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both skis are designed for advanced skiers and all-mountain use, they each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses that make them better suited to different types of skiers and conditions.
The Salomon Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that is smooth and quiet while remaining energetic and playful. It's perfect for skiers who love to charge but want something forgiving enough to be fun in less-than-ideal conditions. It's also a great choice for skiers who prefer long, fast carves and skiing on groomers. However, it's not the best choice for skiers who prefer to ski in powder, trees, or the park.
On the other hand, the Salomon QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon. It's surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski and can turn intuitively in tight spots. This makes it a great choice for skiers who want to quickly progress their prowess off the trails. However, it's not the best choice for skiers who prefer shorter radius turns or who may not like its stiff construction.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to versatility, the Salomon QST 92 takes the win. Its light construction and ability to turn intuitively in tight spots make it a great all-mountain option for a skier looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails.
In terms of stability and control, the Salomon Stance 96 comes out on top. Its metal-reinforced construction and camber provide a stable and controlled ride, even at high speeds.
For carving and groomed runs, the Salomon Stance 96 is the winner. It excels at long, fast carves and is built to ski groomers with poise and power.
However, for off-piste and varied terrain, the Salomon QST 92 is the better choice. Its cork dampeners and carbon material keep the ski nimble and playful when going off trail or into more varied terrain, like trees.
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Salomon Stance 96 and the Salomon QST 92 are excellent choices for advanced skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski. The Stance 96 is a well-balanced, metal-reinforced ski that excels at carving and groomed runs, while the QST 92 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon that shines in off-piste and varied terrain. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. So, whether you're a speed demon who loves to charge down groomed runs or an adventurous skier who loves to explore off the beaten path, there's a Salomon ski out there that's perfect for you. Happy skiing!
