In the world of all-mountain skis, two models stand out: the Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023 and the Dynastar M-Free 90 Skis · 2024. Both are versatile, playful, and designed to help skiers progress their skills across a variety of terrains. The Salomon QST 92, despite being the narrowest of the QST line, is a powerful all-mountain weapon with less rocker in the tip and tail for effective edge carving on trails and hardpack. The Dynastar M-Free 90, on the other hand, is a surfy, smeary, ultra-fun playful option that rips through everything from bumps and trees to park and steeps. Both skis are agile, responsive, and offer great bite on hardpack. However, the QST 92 is surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski due to its metal-free construction, while the M-Free 90 is a bit pricier but wider for encountering more fresh snow.

Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023 summary

The Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023 is a powerful and highly versatile all-mountain weapon. 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 let that fool you. 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 great all-mountain option for a skier looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails. The QST 92 is a balanced option that's less stiff, making it perfect for skiers who want a ski that's as versatile as they are.

Dynastar M-Free 90 Skis · 2024 summary

The Dynastar M-Free 90 Skis · 2024 is a ski that's all about progression. It's a great fit for intermediate and burgeoning skiers looking to progress their skills on both groomers and advanced terrain. The M-Free 90 has a stable and predictable hybrid core and playful rocker in the tip and tail, making it perfect for hitting everything on the mountain, from bumps and trees to park and steeps.

Its lightweight wood core adds agility and responsiveness, making it a versatile and fun option for all-mountain freeride skiing. The M-Free 90 is designed to be versatile, making it a great choice for skiers who want to explore different types of terrain and improve their skills. The ski is stable and predictable underfoot, providing confidence and control for skiers of all levels. The M-Free 90 has a surfy and smeary feel, making it a fun and playful option for those who love to hit everything on the mountain.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023 and the Dynastar M-Free 90 Skis · 2024 are designed for all-mountain skiing, offering versatility across a variety of terrains. They both have a playful and poppy feel, thanks to their respective rocker profiles. Both skis are agile and responsive, allowing for quick turns and easy navigation through bumps, trees, and other obstacles. They also both offer great bite on hardpack, making them suitable for groomers and hardpack conditions. Both skis are designed to help skiers progress their skills, whether on groomers or more advanced terrain.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain skiing, they cater to slightly different personas. The Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023, with its less rocker in the tip and tail, is perfect for skiers who love carving on trails and hardpack. Its lightness due to its metal-free construction makes it ideal for skiers who value agility and intuitive turning in tight spots.

On the other hand, the Dynastar M-Free 90 Skis · 2024, with its wider profile, is a better fit for skiers who encounter more fresh snow. Its hybrid core makes it stable and predictable, making it a great choice for skiers who value confidence and control. Its surfy and smeary feel makes it a fun and playful option for those who love to hit everything on the mountain.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well across a variety of terrains. However, the Salomon QST 92's less rocker and lightness give it an edge in agility and intuitive turning, making it the winner in this dimension.

In terms of stability, the Dynastar M-Free 90's hybrid core provides a stable and predictable ride, making it the winner in this dimension.

For playfulness, both skis offer a playful and poppy feel. However, the M-Free 90's surfy and smeary feel gives it a slight edge, making it the winner in this dimension.

Finally, for progression, both skis are designed to help skiers progress their skills. However, the Salomon QST 92's effective edge for carving on trails and hardpack makes it a great all-mountain option for a skier looking to quickly progress their prowess off the trails, making it the winner in this dimension.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2023 and the Dynastar M-Free 90 Skis · 2024 are excellent choices for all-mountain skiing. They both offer versatility, agility, and a playful feel. However, they cater to slightly different personas. The Salomon QST 92 is perfect for skiers who love carving on trails and hardpack and value agility and intuitive turning. The Dynastar M-Free 90, on the other hand, is a better fit for skiers who encounter more fresh snow and value stability and a surfy, smeary feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the individual skier's preferences and the conditions they typically ski in.