In the world of all-mountain skis, the Salomon QST 92 and Atomic Bent 85 are two standout options for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, offering a versatile and playful ride across various terrains. The Salomon QST 92 is an accessible all-mountain ski that excels on groomers and off-piste, while the Atomic Bent 85 is a park-focused all-mountain ski that offers a lively flex and excellent grip on icy days.

The Salomon QST 92 is praised for its easy-turning, super maneuverable nature, and its ability to hold a carve. It's a great cruising ski that's happy to be taken off trail once in a while. On the other hand, the Atomic Bent 85 is known for its agility and dampened vibrations, making it a smooth ride in the park and on natural features.

While both skis are versatile and perform well in various snow conditions, the Salomon QST 92 is more suited for skiers who enjoy cruising groomers and exploring off-piste, while the Atomic Bent 85 is ideal for those who enjoy park skiing and exploring natural features.

In the end, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and skiing style. If you're a skier who enjoys a playful, all-mountain ski with a bias towards groomers and off-piste, the Salomon QST 92 is a solid choice. If you're more into park skiing and exploring natural features, the Atomic Bent 85 would be a better fit.

Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2024 summary

The Salomon QST 92 Skis are designed to be an accessible all-mountain ski, perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers. With a 92mm waist, these skis are not too wide and not too narrow, striking the perfect balance for an all-mountain ski. They are easy-turning and super maneuverable, holding a carve well and providing a lot of fun on groomers.

The QST 92 skis are constructed without any metal, making them lighter and more forgiving. They have a freeride rocker profile with 18% tip rocker, 65% camber underfoot, and 12% tail rocker. This design results in a fun and playful ski that can handle all terrains without rattling your teeth when you put on the speed.

The skis also feature a high-density injected piece of ABS underfoot combined with full-length sidewalls. This creates a strong platform underfoot to maximize grip on hard snow. The partial twin tip design adds to the skis' maneuverability, making them a great choice for skiers who want to start playing around with skiing switch.

Despite their playful nature, the QST 92 skis are not a true park ski. They are a bit heavier than most true park skis and don't have as much pop. However, they are still a lot of fun to take on a few laps through the park, hitting some tabletops.

Overall, the Salomon QST 92 Skis are a versatile and playful all-mountain ski that offers a responsive and supple ride, making it a fun and enjoyable ski for any adventure.

Atomic Bent 85 Skis · 2024 summary

The Atomic Bent 85 Skis are a park-focused all-mountain ski that offers a lively flex and excellent grip on icy days. With a narrow waist and a freeride shape, these skis are agile and dampen vibrations for a smooth ride. They are especially well-suited for skiers who want quick edge-to-edge transitions on hardpack while having forgiving tendencies.

The Bent 85 skis have a partial twin tip design and a short turning radius, making them agile and easy to maneuver. They feature a freeride rocker profile with 20% tip rocker, 65% camber underfoot, and 15% tail, providing plenty of pop and play.

These skis are versatile and perform well in various snow conditions, except for deep powder. They are perfect for skiers who enjoy park skiing and exploring natural features. Despite their park focus, the Bent 85 skis are also capable of handling all-mountain exploration, making them a versatile choice for intermediate to advanced skiers.

Overall, the Atomic Bent 85 Skis are a versatile and playful option for skiers who want a ski that can handle a variety of snow conditions and terrains, with a particular focus on park skiing and natural features.

Similarities

The Salomon QST 92 and Atomic Bent 85 skis share several similarities. Both are designed as all-mountain skis, intended for intermediate to advanced skiers. They both have a playful and versatile nature, allowing them to handle a variety of terrains and snow conditions.

Both skis feature a partial twin tip design, which adds to their maneuverability and makes them suitable for skiers who want to experiment with skiing switch. They also both have a freeride rocker profile, which provides a fun and playful ride.

In terms of construction, both skis have a strong platform underfoot to maximize grip on hard snow. They also both have full-length sidewalls, which add to their stability and durability.

Finally, both skis are praised for their agility and ability to dampen vibrations, providing a smooth and enjoyable ride.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Salomon QST 92 and Atomic Bent 85 skis share several similarities, they also have some key differences that make them suitable for different types of skiers.

The Salomon QST 92 is an accessible all-mountain ski that excels on groomers and off-piste. It's a great cruising ski that's happy to be taken off trail once in a while. This ski is perfect for skiers who enjoy a playful, all-mountain ski with a bias towards groomers and off-piste. It's also a good choice for skiers who want to start playing around with skiing switch.

On the other hand, the Atomic Bent 85 is a park-focused all-mountain ski that offers a lively flex and excellent grip on icy days. It's especially well-suited for skiers who want quick edge-to-edge transitions on hardpack while having forgiving tendencies. This ski is ideal for those who enjoy park skiing and exploring natural features.

In terms of construction, the Salomon QST 92 skis are constructed without any metal, making them lighter and more forgiving, while the Atomic Bent 85 skis have a narrow waist and a freeride shape, making them agile and able to dampen vibrations for a smooth ride.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Salomon QST 92 and Atomic Bent 85 skis, the winner in each of the four dimensions depends on the skier's preferences and style.

1. Versatility: Both skis are versatile and can handle a variety of terrains and snow conditions. However, the Salomon QST 92 has a slight edge due to its all-mountain nature and ability to excel on groomers and off-piste.

2. Playfulness: Both skis are playful and fun to ride. However, the Atomic Bent 85, with its park focus and lively flex, might be more appealing to skiers who enjoy park skiing and exploring natural features.

3. Stability: Both skis offer a stable ride with good grip on hard snow. However, the Salomon QST 92, with its strong platform underfoot and full-length sidewalls, might provide a slightly more stable ride, especially at higher speeds.

4. Maneuverability: Both skis are agile and easy to maneuver, thanks to their partial twin tip design and short turning radius. However, the Atomic Bent 85, with its narrow waist and freeride shape, might offer slightly better maneuverability, especially on hardpack and in the park.

In conclusion, the winner in each dimension depends on the skier's preferences and style. The Salomon QST 92 might be a better choice for skiers who prefer all-mountain skiing with a bias towards groomers and off-piste, while the Atomic Bent 85 might be more suitable for skiers who enjoy park skiing and exploring natural features.

Conclusions

In the end, the choice between the Salomon QST 92 and Atomic Bent 85 skis comes down to personal preference and skiing style. Both skis are versatile, playful, and offer a smooth and enjoyable ride. They are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and can handle a variety of terrains and snow conditions.

The Salomon QST 92 is an accessible all-mountain ski that excels on groomers and off-piste. It's a great cruising ski that's happy to be taken off trail once in a while. On the other hand, the Atomic Bent 85 is a park-focused all-mountain ski that offers a lively flex and excellent grip on icy days. It's especially well-suited for skiers who want quick edge-to-edge transitions on hardpack while having forgiving tendencies.

So, if you're a skier who enjoys a playful, all-mountain ski with a bias towards groomers and off-piste, the Salomon QST 92 is a solid choice. If you're more into park skiing and exploring natural features, the Atomic Bent 85 would be a better fit. Either way, you're sure to have a blast on the slopes with these skis!