In the world of women's skis, the Völkl Blaze 86 W and the Salomon QST Lux 92 are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for all-mountain versatility, with a focus on agility, responsiveness, and performance in various snow conditions. The Völkl Blaze 86 W is praised for its lightweight design, forgiving turn initiation, and good float in deeper snow. On the other hand, the Salomon QST Lux 92 is lauded for its blend of materials and tech, including poplar for flex, titanal for chatter reduction and stability, and carbon for stiffness and weight reduction. While both skis are excellent choices, the final verdict will depend on your specific skiing style and preferences.

Völkl Blaze 86 W Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Völkl Blaze 86 W Skis are designed for women who crave versatility and agility on the slopes. These skis are perfect for handling demanding terrain, speed, and long curves. They feature a lightweight design and suspension tips and tails, offering composure, increased flotation, and protection off-piste. The full tip-to-tail wood core provides ease in ascents and a pleasurable descent.

These skis are a versatile all-mountain cruiser, offering forgiving turn initiation in various snow conditions. They provide good float in deeper snow and allow for agile and quick edge-to-edge transitions on firm snow. The Blaze 86 W is a lively and lightweight ski with good pop, making for a fun skiing experience.

The absence of titanal in the Blaze 86 W makes it a more lively ski with lower weight and more pop. It features three side cuts that allow the ski to perform short turns while maintaining a long high-speed carve. The slightly flared out tips and tails give the ski plenty of float in off-piste conditions and the ability to handle some powder.

Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis · Women's · 2023 summary

The Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis are designed for women who want a ski that can handle all types of terrain and snow conditions. These skis are agile and get along really well in all types of terrain and snow conditions. They are loaded with different materials and tech for a fun ride for more experienced skiers.

The QST Lux 92 features poplar for flex, titanal for chatter reduction and stability, and carbon for stiffness and weight reduction. The result is an intuitive and responsive tool to skier input, allowing you to charge groomers and rip steeps. The waist width is also wide enough to handle whatever mother nature has to offer while still being perfect for the harder pack days.

The QST Lux 92 is a great all-mountain ski that is extremely agile and gets along really well in all types of terrain and snow conditions. It is loaded with different materials and tech for a fun ride for more experienced skiers.

Similarities

Both the Völkl Blaze 86 W and the Salomon QST Lux 92 are designed for all-mountain skiing, offering versatility and agility in various snow conditions. They are both praised for their lightweight design and responsive performance. Both skis are designed to handle a variety of terrain, from groomers to steeps, and offer good float in deeper snow. They are both equipped with technology that enhances their performance, such as the Blaze 86 W's three side cuts and the QST Lux 92's blend of poplar, titanal, and carbon.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and agile, they cater to slightly different personas. The Völkl Blaze 86 W is perfect for women who want a ski that can handle demanding terrain, speed, and long curves. It's a great choice for those who enjoy backcountry skiing and need a ski that offers composure, increased flotation, and protection off-piste.

On the other hand, the Salomon QST Lux 92 is ideal for more experienced skiers who want a ski that can handle all types of terrain and snow conditions. It's a great choice for those who want a ski that can charge groomers and rip steeps, and who need a ski that is wide enough to handle whatever mother nature has to offer while still being perfect for the harder pack days.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Völkl Blaze 86 W might have a slight edge due to its ability to handle demanding terrain, speed, and long curves.

In terms of agility, both skis are praised for their quick edge-to-edge transitions. However, the Salomon QST Lux 92 might have a slight advantage due to its blend of materials and tech that enhance its agility.

For flotation in deeper snow, both skis offer good float. However, the Völkl Blaze 86 W might have a slight advantage due to its slightly flared out tips and tails.

In terms of weight, both skis are lightweight. However, the Völkl Blaze 86 W might have a slight advantage due to its absence of titanal, which makes it a more lively ski with lower weight and more pop.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl Blaze 86 W and the Salomon QST Lux 92 are excellent choices for women's skis in the 2023 season. They both offer versatility, agility, and performance in various snow conditions. The final choice will depend on your specific skiing style and preferences. If you prefer a ski that can handle demanding terrain, speed, and long curves, the Völkl Blaze 86 W might be the better choice. However, if you're a more experienced skier who wants a ski that can handle all types of terrain and snow conditions, the Salomon QST Lux 92 might be the better choice. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. Happy skiing!