In the world of skiing, the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and are marketed as all-mountain, freeride skis. They both offer a playful yet powerful experience, with a focus on versatility and adaptability to various terrains and snow conditions. However, they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for different types of skiers.

The Salomon QST 98 is praised for its mid-width design, making it a great all-around, one ski quiver. It's perfect for skiers who want to handle some powder but still have the camber underfoot to handle groomers and ski at resorts really well. On the other hand, the Dynastar M-Free 99 is known for its surfy, poppy, and playful personality, making it perfect for tackling steep slopes, technical trees, moguls, and even the park for freestyle skiing.

In terms of similarities, both skis are designed with a hybrid core and have a significant amount of rocker in the tip and tail, making them agile and easy to maneuver. However, the differences lie in their performance in specific conditions and their suitability for certain types of skiers. The Salomon QST 98 is recommended for intermediates all the way to experts looking for a good all-around one ski quiver, while the Dynastar M-Free 99 is ideal for high intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers who want a ski that can handle a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions.

In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style. Both skis are top-notch options that offer a great blend of performance, versatility, and fun on the slopes.

Salomon QST 98 Skis · 2024 summary

The Salomon QST 98 Skis are marketed as an all-mountain, freeride freestyle type of ski. They are designed to be a one ski quiver that’s wide enough to handle some powder but still has the camber underfoot to handle groomers and ski at resorts really well. The skis are midwidth at 98 mm, making them a great all-around, intermediate one ski quiver.

The skis are designed with a significant early rise in the nose and the tail, which helps with float in powder. They also have a cork damper in them, which reduces the chatter that you get from such a significantly early rise in the tips. The skis are pretty forgiving and not super stiff, making them easy to maneuver. They also have enough camber underfoot where skiing groomers is really fun.

The Salomon QST 98 Skis are recommended for intermediates all the way to experts. They are a great all terrain ski you can use on the groomers, moguls, trees, powder, or backcountry. They'll work pretty well for everything! However, they might not be the best option for really fast skiers and heavier skiers who might flex it out a little bit.

Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis · 2024 summary

The Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis are marketed as an all-mountain freeride ski with a rocker tip and tail. They are designed to be a reasonably powerful ski, but definitely something that is playful and fun on the whole mountain. The skis are designed with a hybrid core of foam and wood, which provides a very stiff platform underfoot that provides great stability on trails and off-piste.

The skis have a lot of rocker in the tip and tail, which gives them plenty of float in powder despite being only a midfat option. The skis are nimble and agile off piste, and can change direction quickly. They also have a much softer tail and elongated tip that makes the ski super surfy and smeary.

The Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis are recommended for high intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions. They are not ideal for strictly carving or never leaving groomed terrain.

Similarities

The Salomon QST 98 Skis and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis share several similarities. Both are marketed as all-mountain, freeride skis designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. They both offer a playful yet powerful experience, with a focus on versatility and adaptability to various terrains and snow conditions.

Both skis are designed with a hybrid core, providing a stiff platform underfoot for stability and responsiveness. They also both have a significant amount of rocker in the tip and tail, making them agile and easy to maneuver. This design allows for quick pivoting and a playful, surfy feel on the slopes.

In terms of performance, both skis are praised for their ability to handle a variety of conditions, from groomers to powder. They both offer a good amount of float in powder and are capable of handling off-piste conditions well.

Finally, both skis are recommended for skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions. They are both seen as good all-around options that can serve as a one ski quiver for many skiers.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis share several similarities, they also have their unique strengths and weaknesses that make them suitable for different types of skiers.

The Salomon QST 98 is praised for its mid-width design, making it a great all-around, one ski quiver. It's perfect for skiers who want to handle some powder but still have the camber underfoot to handle groomers and ski at resorts really well. It's also recommended for intermediates all the way to experts looking for a good all-around one ski quiver. However, it might not be the best option for really fast skiers and heavier skiers who might flex it out a little bit.

On the other hand, the Dynastar M-Free 99 is known for its surfy, poppy, and playful personality, making it perfect for tackling steep slopes, technical trees, moguls, and even the park for freestyle skiing. It's ideal for high intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers who want a ski that can handle a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions. However, it may not be the best choice for those looking for a ski exclusively for groomers or carving.

In conclusion, the Salomon QST 98 is a great choice for skiers who want a versatile, all-around ski that can handle a variety of conditions, while the Dynastar M-Free 99 is perfect for skiers who want a playful and fun ski that can handle a variety of styles and terrains.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis, it's important to consider four key dimensions: versatility, performance in powder, carving ability, and suitability for different types of skiers.

1. Versatility: Both skis are highly versatile, designed to handle a variety of terrains and snow conditions. However, the Salomon QST 98, with its mid-width design, might offer a slight edge in this category as it's seen as a great all-around, one ski quiver.

2. Performance in Powder: Both skis perform well in powder, thanks to their significant amount of rocker in the tip and tail. However, the Dynastar M-Free 99, with its surfy, poppy, and playful personality, might offer a slightly better performance in powder.

3. Carving Ability: While both skis can handle groomers, they are not designed to be carving skis. However, the Salomon QST 98, with its camber underfoot, might offer a slightly better carving ability.

4. Suitability for Different Types of Skiers: Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. However, the Salomon QST 98 is recommended for a wider range of skiers, from intermediates all the way to experts, while the Dynastar M-Free 99 is ideal for high intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers.

In conclusion, both skis are top-notch options that offer a great blend of performance, versatility, and fun on the slopes. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and skiing style.

Conclusions

In the world of skiing, the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the Dynastar M-Free 99 Skis are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and are marketed as all-mountain, freeride skis. They both offer a playful yet powerful experience, with a focus on versatility and adaptability to various terrains and snow conditions.

The Salomon QST 98 is praised for its mid-width design, making it a great all-around, one ski quiver. It's perfect for skiers who want to handle some powder but still have the camber underfoot to handle groomers and ski at resorts really well. On the other hand, the Dynastar M-Free 99 is known for its surfy, poppy, and playful personality, making it perfect for tackling steep slopes, technical trees, moguls, and even the park for freestyle skiing.

In terms of similarities, both skis are designed with a hybrid core and have a significant amount of rocker in the tip and tail, making them agile and easy to maneuver. However, the differences lie in their performance in specific conditions and their suitability for certain types of skiers. The Salomon QST 98 is recommended for intermediates all the way to experts looking for a good all-around one ski quiver, while the Dynastar M-Free 99 is ideal for high intermediate, advanced, and expert skiers who want a ski that can handle a variety of styles, terrain, and snow conditions.

In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style. Both skis are top-notch options that offer a great blend of performance, versatility, and fun on the slopes. So, whether you're a speed demon or a playful powder hound, there's a ski out there for you. Happy shredding!