Salomon QST 99
Bindings Included? No
Use: 20% piste / 80% powder
Ability: Advanced / expert
In a nutshell: The ultimate all-round freeride ski for resort riding and beyond.
A firm favourite with the Snowtrax test team, the Salomon QST range has gone through a bit of a revamp for the 2019 / 20 season and all changes have been very well received! From a new sidecut to updated tip technology, the new additions have made the QST range even more fun to ski all over the mountain. The QST 99 sits around the mid-point of the collection, which spans from 85mm underfoot to a whopping 118mm, meaning it provides the perfect middle ground for ripping wherever you want to take it.
Managing to find the ideal balance between being light and nimble underfoot but retaining its stability at high speeds, the QST 99 is equally suited to being your go-to touring ski as it is your resort riding ski. The redesigned sidecut means it’s a little bit more nimble, while the classic camber underfoot and early rise tip provide optimal performance on hardpack and float in the powder. Salomon achieve massive weight savings and less chatter with the addition of a Cork Damplifier in the tip; Cork is one of the most absorbent materials out there so it effectively dampens vibrations before they make their way to the midsection of the ski, resulting in a smoother ride, even through late-afternoon chop.
The QST 99 isn’t short on stabilising technology elsewhere, either; underfoot Titanal plates span from edge to edge, while updated C/FX stringers (a mixture of carbon and basalt fibres) from tip to tail make sure you have the ultimate combination of edge grip, stability and power. Throw in Salomon’s rubber pulse pad underfoot and fibre reinforcements in the edges and you have a ski that’s able to handle any terrain, any time, however hard you want to push it.
Want even more info? Check out our video review here: