Welcome, ski enthusiasts! Today, we're comparing two top-notch skis: the Salomon QST 98 Skis and the Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis, both 2024 models. These skis are both fantastic all-mountain options, but they each have their unique strengths and quirks. The Salomon QST 98 is a versatile, playful ski that's great for intermediate to expert skiers. It's a one-ski quiver that can handle powder, groomers, and backcountry touring. On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is a versatile, agile ski that's perfect for advanced skiers who want a blend of carving and all-mountain ability. It's a jack-of-all-trades ski that can handle everything from groomers to off-piste exploration. Both skis are highly recommended by experts, but the final verdict depends on your personal skiing style and preferences. So, let's dive in and compare these two fantastic skis!

Salomon QST 98 Skis · 2024 summary

The Salomon QST 98 Skis are marketed as an all-mountain, freeride freestyle type of ski. They're also marketed as a potential hybrid backcountry touring option. This ski is 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 QST 98 is midwidth at 98 mm and is a great all-around, intermediate one ski quiver. It has 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. 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!

The ski features a full poplar wood core, which gives it a really snappy and responsive feel. It also has a cork damper in it so it reduces the chatter that you get from such a significantly early rise in the tips. This ski is one that will work well for a large range of skiers. It fits a nice sweet spot of being both fairly strong and maintaining a trim weight.

Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis · 2024 summary

The Blizzard Rustler 9 Skis are designed for party laps and fun skiing all over the mountain. They're very versatile and perform well in a variety of conditions and terrain. The Rustler 9s come in at 96 millimeters underfoot, making them super capable in a variety of conditions and terrain.

The construction of the Rustler 9 skis focuses on a blend of stability and responsiveness. They feature a lightweight wood core combined with carbon and fiberglass layers and a layer of titanal metal, resulting in a lively and energetic ride. This construction allows for quick and precise turn initiation while maintaining stability at higher speeds.

The Rustler 9 skis excel in a wide range of conditions. Their rocker profile, with full tip and a touch of tail rocker while lightly camber underfoot, provides versatility and performance. The rocker profile enhances floatation in powder and makes them more nimble in soft snow, while the touch of camber underfoot ensures reliable edge hold and stability on groomed runs.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST 98 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are versatile all-mountain skis designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. They both have a mid-width design, with the QST 98 at 98mm underfoot and the Rustler 9 at 96mm underfoot, making them capable of handling a variety of snow conditions.

Both skis feature a blend of stability and responsiveness, with a focus on providing a lively and energetic ride. They both have a rocker profile that enhances flotation in powder and makes them more nimble in soft snow, while the camber underfoot ensures reliable edge hold and stability on groomed runs.

Both skis are also designed to be playful and agile, with a stiffer midsection for great carving on groomers and firmer snow, but a softer tip and tail for off-piste skiing. They're both great for skiing all over the mountain, from groomers to moguls, trees, and powder.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile all-mountain options, they each have their unique strengths and quirks. The Salomon QST 98 is marketed as a freeride freestyle type of ski and a potential hybrid backcountry touring option. It's a great all-around, intermediate one ski quiver. It's perfect for skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle powder, groomers, and backcountry touring.

On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is designed for party laps and fun skiing all over the mountain. It's a great ski for advanced skiers who want a blend of carving and all-mountain ability. It's perfect for skiers who want a ski that can handle everything from groomers to off-piste exploration.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to versatility, both skis perform exceptionally well. However, the Salomon QST 98 might have a slight edge due to its ability to handle backcountry touring in addition to all-mountain skiing.

In terms of carving ability, the Blizzard Rustler 9 takes the cake. Its construction allows for quick and precise turn initiation while maintaining stability at higher speeds.

For off-piste skiing, both skis are great options. However, the Salomon QST 98's significant early rise in the nose and tail might give it a slight advantage in terms of floatation in powder.

Finally, for overall performance and fun, it's a close call. Both skis are playful, agile, and provide a lively and energetic ride. However, the Blizzard Rustler 9's reputation as a ski for party laps might make it the more fun option for some skiers.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST 98 and the Blizzard Rustler 9 are fantastic all-mountain skis that offer a blend of performance, versatility, and fun. The Salomon QST 98 is a great option for intermediate to expert skiers who want a versatile ski that can handle powder, groomers, and backcountry touring. The Blizzard Rustler 9, on the other hand, is perfect for advanced skiers who want a blend of carving and all-mountain ability.

Both skis are highly recommended by experts, and the final verdict really depends on your personal skiing style and preferences. So whether you're a fan of carving up groomers, exploring off-piste terrain, or a bit of both, you can't go wrong with either of these skis. Happy skiing!