In the world of skiing, the Salomon QST 92 Skis and the Armada ARV 94 Skis are two top contenders for the title of best all-mountain skis. Both skis are designed for intermediate to advanced skiers and offer a playful, versatile ride that can handle a variety of conditions. The Salomon QST 92 is praised for its easy-turning, maneuverable nature, and its ability to hold a carve. It's a great ski for those who enjoy cruising groomers and occasionally venturing off-piste. On the other hand, the Armada ARV 94 is a park ski that's not just for the park. It's a playful, poppy ski that's perfect for those who want to make the whole mountain their playground. Both skis have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences.

Salomon QST 92 Skis · 2024 summary

The Salomon QST 92 Skis are a versatile all-mountain ski that's perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers. Salomon markets this ski as an accessible all-mountain ski, and it lives up to that claim. It's 92 millimeters underfoot, making it an easy-turning ski that can hold a carve. It's super maneuverable and pivoty when you want it to be, making it a lot of fun on groomers. It's also happy to be taken off trail once in a while.

The ski has a good amount of rocker in the tip, which provides float, and a turned-up tail, which gives you some maneuverability when skiing backward. It also has some nice camber underfoot to give you a responsive edge-to-edge turning motion. The ski carves well and releases nicely out of the turn. It doesn't have a ton of energy coming out of a carved turn, but it is easy to tip the ski onto the new edge and start a new carved turn.

The Salomon QST 92 is not a park ski, but it's still fun to take on a few laps through the park. It's not as poppy as a true park ski, and it's a little heavier than most true park skis. However, it's a great ski for a large variety of conditions, with a few exceptions. It's not a great powder ski, but it's fantastic for weaving in and out of different zones in the trees. It's also not the best for super high speeds on extremely firm Eastern snow, but it's a fun ski for cruising groomers.

Armada ARV 94 Skis · 2024 summary

The Armada ARV 94 Skis are a playful, versatile ski that's perfect for intermediate to expert level skiers who want a one-ski quiver. This ski is built for park prowess with more than a twinge of all-mountain rippability. It has a playful flex designed to hit every corner of the park and ride them out with ease. The 3D molded injected sidewalls are super durable, and a caruba core with an ash binding insert creates a playful profile that will bend, not snap if you hit metal a little harder than expected.

The ARV 94 has more pop than any ski this season, making it ideal for building confidence, whether in the park or on side-hits. Its low swing weight makes it easy to throw around, but the dramatic camber profile keeps it from staying afloat in soft snow. The trade-off for that is that the camber provides a ton of pop!

The ARV 94 is not the best for powder days or high-speed groomers, but it's perfect for building confidence and having fun. The ARV 94s have a slightly softer flex, making them great for buttering and pressing, and they are built to last with a durable construction.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST 92 and the Armada ARV 94 are all-mountain skis designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. They both offer a playful, versatile ride that can handle a variety of conditions. Both skis have a good amount of rocker in the tip and a turned-up tail, which provides float and maneuverability. They also both have camber underfoot for a responsive edge-to-edge turning motion. Both skis are praised for their carving abilities and their easy-turning nature. They're both fun on groomers and can handle off-piste terrain. Both skis are also built to last with durable constructions.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile and playful, they cater to slightly different types of skiers. The Salomon QST 92 is a great ski for those who enjoy cruising groomers and occasionally venturing off-piste. It's not a park ski, but it's still fun to take on a few laps through the park. It's not a great powder ski, but it's fantastic for weaving in and out of different zones in the trees. It's also not the best for super high speeds on extremely firm Eastern snow, but it's a fun ski for cruising groomers. This ski is perfect for a progressing intermediate to advanced skier who likes skiing on the groomers but also wants to start exploring off-piste.

On the other hand, the Armada ARV 94 is a park ski that's not just for the park. It's a playful, poppy ski that's perfect for those who want to make the whole mountain their playground. It's not the best for powder days or high-speed groomers, but it's perfect for building confidence and having fun. The ARV 94s have a slightly softer flex, making them great for buttering and pressing. This ski is ideal for intermediate-expert level skiers with a playful style looking for a one-ski quiver or a park ski.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform well, but the Salomon QST 92 might have a slight edge due to its easy-turning nature and ability to handle off-piste terrain. For playfulness, the Armada ARV 94 takes the cake with its poppy jumps and park prowess. In terms of carving abilities, both skis are praised for their carving abilities, but the Salomon QST 92 might have a slight edge due to its easy-turning nature and ability to hold a carve. Lastly, in terms of durability, both skis are built to last, but the Armada ARV 94 might have a slight edge due to its 3D molded injected sidewalls and caruba core with an ash binding insert.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST 92 Skis and the Armada ARV 94 Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for a versatile, playful ski. The best choice will depend on your personal skiing style and preferences. If you enjoy cruising groomers and occasionally venturing off-piste, the Salomon QST 92 might be the ski for you. If you're a playful skier who wants to make the whole mountain your playground, the Armada ARV 94 might be a better fit. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. They're both built to last and ready to take on any adventure. So, strap on your boots, grab your poles, and hit the slopes!