In the world of women's all-mountain skis, two models stand out: the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a blend of stability, agility, and power. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a revamped version of the old Lux, with added power and stability in the tips, making it a directional all-mountain charger. The Nordica Santa Ana 88, on the other hand, is a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a smooth ride and excellent edge hold. Both skis are great for carving, freestyle, and freeride skiing, but they each have their strengths and weaknesses. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is more demanding and requires a driver to be forward on their skis, while the Nordica Santa Ana 88 is more approachable and intuitive. In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style.

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

The Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis are a revamped version of the old Lux, designed to be a directional all-mountain charger. They are packed with power, especially in the tips, and offer a surprising amount of stability. The skis have a bit of extra rocker through their tips, which makes them easier to initiate turns with. They also have a lot of camber underfoot, allowing you to really lay into a turn without sliding out. These skis are stiff and require a bit of energy to get turning, but once they are turning, they are really fun throughout the turn. They have excellent edge hold and can plow through anything you send them through, including variable, choppy, uneven terrain. They perform well at high speeds and offer a lot of acceleration coming out of turns, provided you can put some power into the tips. These skis are not the most playful, but someone who knows how to power through them can have a lot of fun on them. They are not ideal for skiing switch or for jumps, and they are not recommended for the park. They are also not the best for powder, but they excel in uneven terrain and chunder. They are moderately maneuverable in the trees, but they require a forward riding style. These skis are great for ripping wide open groomers and for slashing and playing, as long as you can make them slash and play. They are not ideal for powder days, as they are heavy and require a lot of energy to maneuver. These skis are recommended for East Coasters and all mountain skiers, but they are not a beginner ski. They would feel really heavy for a beginner skier.

Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Nordica Santa Ana 88 Skis are a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a smooth ride and excellent edge hold. They have a narrow waist and a wood core with carbon and metal, which provides stability and dampens vibrations. They are easy to control and maneuver, making them a great choice for both quick carves and longer turns. These skis are great for skiing on groomed trails or in tracked snow. They have a typical all-mountain shape, with some rocker in the tip and a little bit of rocker in the tail with some camber underfoot. This makes them great on groomers, but also gives them some versatility to take off trail. These skis are a little bit stiffer than the Santa Ana 93, but they hold up pretty well for an intermediate or advanced skier. They have fantastic edge hold and do well at speed. They have a little bit of acceleration and pop across the hill, but not a whole lot, making them approachable for someone who's just getting into going a little faster. These skis are not the most playful, but they are very nimble and approachable for someone who's getting into all mountain skiing and might want to take some of their skiing off trail into bumps, trees, or back bowls. They are not recommended for skiing switch or for jumps. They are not a powder ski, but they do okay in some mild chunder and uneven terrain. They are really nimble and maneuverable in the trees, and they have good edge grip. These skis are great for an East Coast all mountain ski or a West Coast primarily groomers ski. They should avoid anything over boot top powder.

Similarities

The Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 have several similarities. Both are all-mountain skis designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. They both offer a blend of stability, agility, and power, making them versatile and suitable for a variety of terrain. Both skis have a bit of rocker in the tips, which makes them easier to initiate turns with, and a lot of camber underfoot, allowing you to really lay into a turn. They both have excellent edge hold and perform well at high speeds. They are both not the most playful skis, but someone who knows how to power through them can have a lot of fun on them. They are both not ideal for skiing switch or for jumps, and they are not recommended for the park. They are both not the best for powder, but they excel in uneven terrain and chunder. They are both moderately maneuverable in the trees, but they require a forward riding style.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 have many similarities, they also have some key differences. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is more demanding and requires a driver to be forward on their skis, while the Nordica Santa Ana 88 is more approachable and intuitive. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a revamped version of the old Lux, with added power and stability in the tips, making it a directional all-mountain charger. The Nordica Santa Ana 88, on the other hand, is a versatile all-mountain ski that offers a smooth ride and excellent edge hold. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is not a beginner ski and would feel really heavy for a beginner skier, while the Nordica Santa Ana 88 is a great ski for a broad variety of people, from progressive intermediates to more conservative expert skiers. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is recommended for East Coasters and all mountain skiers, while the Nordica Santa Ana 88 is great for an East Coast all mountain ski or a West Coast primarily groomers ski.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88, it's clear that both skis excel in different areas.

1. Power: The Salomon QST Lux 92 takes the lead with its added power and stability in the tips, making it a directional all-mountain charger.

2. Approachability: The Nordica Santa Ana 88 wins in terms of approachability and intuitiveness, making it a great choice for intermediate skiers looking to progress.

3. Versatility: Both skis are versatile and suitable for a variety of terrain, but the Nordica Santa Ana 88 edges out the Salomon QST Lux 92 with its smooth ride and excellent edge hold.

4. Suitability for Beginners: Neither ski is ideal for beginners, but the Nordica Santa Ana 88 is more approachable and would be a better choice for progressive intermediates.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile all-mountain ski. The Salomon QST Lux 92 offers more power and stability, making it a great choice for skiers who like to charge down the mountain. The Nordica Santa Ana 88, on the other hand, is more approachable and intuitive, making it a great choice for skiers looking to progress. Both skis offer a blend of stability, agility, and power, making them versatile and suitable for a variety of terrain. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're an East Coaster looking to rip wide open groomers or a West Coaster looking for a primarily groomers ski, both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Nordica Santa Ana 88 have got you covered. Happy skiing!