In the world of women's skis, the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Elan Ripstick 94 W are two top contenders for the 2024 season. Both skis are designed for all-mountain performance, offering a blend of power, stability, and versatility that can handle a variety of conditions. However, they each have their unique strengths and characteristics that set them apart. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a revamped version of their old Lux, packing extra power and stability into their tips, making them a directional all-mountain charger. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 94 W is a lightweight and agile ski that excels in both carving and freeriding. It's a ski that doesn't ask too much of you but gives a whole lot in return. In the end, the choice between these two skis will come down to your personal skiing style and preferences.

Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Salomon QST Lux 92 Skis are a force to be reckoned with on the mountain. Salomon has revamped their old Lux model, adding extra power and stability into the tips, creating a directional all-mountain charger. These skis are impressively powerful, requiring a bit of time to get used to the amount of power packed into their tips. But once you've got the hang of them, they're a joy to ride.

One of the standout features of the QST Lux 92 is the extra rocker through the tips. This design means that the effective edge starts further down the ski, making them easier to initiate turns with. In contrast, the skis have a lot of camber underfoot, allowing you to really lay into a turn without the skis sliding out on you. These are stiff skis, packed with power and ready to accept all the energy you put into them.

When it comes to carving, the QST Lux 92s are a more demanding ski, requiring quite a bit of energy to get turning. However, once they're turning, they're incredibly fun throughout the turn. They have excellent edge hold and can plow through anything you send them through, from variable, choppy, uneven terrain to high speeds. They're not afraid at any speeds and will keep on moving for you.

Despite being a heavier ski, the QST Lux 92s can still be playful if you know how to power through them. They're not the most ideal for skiing switch or for jumps, but they can handle it if needed. They're not recommended for the park, but they can handle smaller jumps.

In terms of freeriding, the QST Lux 92s are great in uneven terrain and chunder, powering through anything you put them in. They're moderately maneuverable in the trees, but they do require a forward riding style. They're not the ideal powder ski due to their weight and lack of playfulness, but they're fantastic for ripping wide open groomers and slashing and playing if you can make them do so.

Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis · Women's · 2024 summary

The Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are a versatile and lightweight option for intermediate to advanced skiers. Elan categorizes these skis as a freeride ski that's good for frontside and backside terrain, along with resort and backcountry skiing. They're built very lightweight, making them a great backcountry touring setup option.

The Ripstick 94 W Skis have an amphibio profile, meaning there's a specific left and right ski. This design can help with carving and all sorts of things all over the mountain. The skis are pretty flexible, with a bit of camber underfoot for good groomer performance and rocker in the tip and tail for freeriding. The difference in the edges on the inside and outside of the ski helps maximize the performance of the edge control and edge hold.

When it comes to carving, the Ripstick 94 W Skis carve well on the groomers and are easy to control at speed. They're also stable on jumps, although they're not made for the terrain park. In terms of freeriding, the skis are expected to do well in powder due to their wide tip, although they weren't tested in powder conditions. They're easy to maneuver in trees and hold up well in variable terrain, although they can get a bit wobbly in choppy snow at high speeds.

The Ripstick 94 W Skis are recommended for high intermediate to advanced skiers and are not ideal for beginners. They're a hard-charging ski that's great for the West Coast, but they may struggle in less-than-ideal conditions.

Similarities

Both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are designed for all-mountain performance, catering to intermediate to advanced skiers. They both offer a blend of power, stability, and versatility that can handle a variety of conditions, from groomers to powder to uneven terrain. Both skis have a similar waist width, with the QST Lux 92 at 92mm and the Ripstick 94 W at 94mm, making them suitable for both powder and groomers. They both require a forward riding style and are not ideal for beginners. Both skis also have excellent edge hold and are capable of handling high speeds.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for all-mountain performance, they each have their unique strengths and characteristics. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a more powerful and demanding ski, requiring quite a bit of energy to get turning. It's a heavier ski that's packed with power, making it a great choice for skiers who like to charge hard and fast down the mountain. This ski is ideal for East Coast skiers and all-mountain skiers who can handle its power and weight.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 94 W is a lightweight and agile ski that excels in both carving and freeriding. It's a ski that doesn't ask too much of you but gives a whole lot in return. It's a great choice for skiers who want a ski that's easy to maneuver and fun to ride. This ski is ideal for West Coast skiers and those looking for a versatile ski that can handle a variety of conditions.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to power and stability, the Salomon QST Lux 92 takes the lead. Its powerful design and added stability in the tips make it a great choice for skiers who like to charge hard and fast down the mountain.

In terms of weight and maneuverability, the Elan Ripstick 94 W comes out on top. Its lightweight design and agile performance make it easy to maneuver and fun to ride in a variety of conditions.

For versatility, both skis perform well. They're both designed for all-mountain performance and can handle a variety of conditions, from groomers to powder to uneven terrain. However, the Elan Ripstick 94 W's lightweight design and agile performance give it a slight edge in this category.

Finally, for edge hold and speed, both skis perform excellently. They both have excellent edge hold and can handle high speeds, making them great choices for skiers who like to push their limits on the mountain.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon QST Lux 92 and the Elan Ripstick 94 W Skis are excellent choices for intermediate to advanced skiers looking for all-mountain performance. The Salomon QST Lux 92 is a powerful and demanding ski that's great for skiers who like to charge hard and fast down the mountain. The Elan Ripstick 94 W, on the other hand, is a lightweight and agile ski that's easy to maneuver and fun to ride in a variety of conditions. The choice between these two skis will ultimately come down to your personal skiing style and preferences. So whether you're an East Coast skier who loves to rip wide open groomers or a West Coast skier looking for a versatile ski that can handle a variety of conditions, there's a ski out there for you. Happy skiing!