In the world of skiing, the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, offering a versatile and exciting ride across various terrains. The Salomon QST 98 is a freeride-oriented ski that's playful yet powerful, with a mid-width of 98mm that's perfect for handling powder and groomers alike. On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 90C is a lighter, more forgiving ski that's easy to maneuver and perfect for those who aren't looking to break the sound barrier. While both skis have their strengths, the Salomon QST 98 stands out for its all-around performance and the K2 Mindbender 90C for its forgiving nature and ease of use.

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, wide enough to handle some powder but still has the camber underfoot to handle groomers and ski at resorts really well. The QST 98 is the softer, more playful, freeride oriented ski in Salomon's all-mountain lineup.

The ski lives up to its marketing. It's midwidth at 98 mm and is a great all-around, intermediate one ski quiver. The ski has a significant early rise in the nose and the tail which helps with the float. It's not super wide so won't be a perfect powder ski but it will float pretty well. The ski handled the beat-up crud pretty well and the kind of variable snow you get after the runs get skied out a little bit.

The QST 98 is a great tool for powder and softer snow conditions. It's a great all-terrain ski you can use on the groomers, moguls, trees, powder, or backcountry. It'll work pretty well for everything!

K2 Mindbender 90C Skis · 2024 summary

The K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are marketed as an intermediate level ski that's light, good on groomers, and easy to ski. It’s wide enough to get off trail a little bit, too. The Mindbender 90C is a part of K2's Mindbender collection; but, what makes it different is that other Mindbenders have a sheet of titanal metal in them to stiffen the ski and this ski goes without that and uses carbon instead.

The ski works really well for what K2 claims. It's light with the carbon in it versus the titanal of the “Ti” Mindbenders. Overall, it's a fun, cool looking, high-quality ski that has a really nice top sheet feel. The carbon in the ski gives it some stiffness and solid edge grip but does keep the ski lighter. They're not a super aggressive ski, but they're very confidence-inspiring.

The Mindbender 90C is adequate in crud and chunder. There are going to be better skis out there, like something with metal in it that’s stiffer, but for lacking metal they could cut through most of that stuff. If you get into real variable snow, they could get knocked around a little bit, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, offering a versatile and exciting ride across various terrains. They both have a playful yet powerful design, offering quick edge-to-edge rollover and enough width for powder flotation. Both skis are also designed to be forgiving and provide a fun, lively ride, making them ideal for those looking to advance their skills.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Salomon QST 98 Skis are more freeride-oriented and are perfect for skiers who want a playful yet powerful ski that can handle both powder and groomers. They are a great all-around, one ski quiver, making them ideal for skiers who love to explore all terrains.

On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are lighter and more forgiving, making them perfect for skiers who aren't looking to break the sound barrier. They are very easy to turn in all conditions and cater well to those who aren't looking for a stiff or demanding ski. They are ideal for lighter skiers or those who don't need the stability and stiffness of a metal laminate ski.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well, but the Salomon QST 98 Skis have a slight edge due to their ability to handle both powder and groomers with ease.

In terms of ease of use, the K2 Mindbender 90C Skis take the cake. They are lighter and more forgiving, making them perfect for skiers who aren't looking for a stiff or demanding ski.

For performance in powder, the Salomon QST 98 Skis are the clear winner. They have a significant early rise in the nose and the tail which helps with the float, making them a great choice for powder days.

Finally, for stability and stiffness, the Salomon QST 98 Skis come out on top. They are more freeride-oriented and are perfect for skiers who want a playful yet powerful ski that can handle both powder and groomers.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers. The Salomon QST 98 Skis are a great all-around, one ski quiver, perfect for skiers who love to explore all terrains. On the other hand, the K2 Mindbender 90C Skis are lighter and more forgiving, making them perfect for skiers who aren't looking for a stiff or demanding ski. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the individual skier's preferences and needs. So, whether you're looking to break the sound barrier or just enjoy a fun, lively ride, both these skis have got you covered!