QST 106 | 2027

After a resoundingly successful redesign of the QST collection last fall, Salomon is cooking with the same recipe this year. What was once known as an enjoyable ski that struggled at high speeds has become a true freeride weapon, trusted by the likes of Josh Daiek.

Cork inserts in the tip and tail eliminate unwanted chatter at speed, while keeping weight in check (around 2000 g per ski). The latest generation of the QST 106 features a poplar wood core that's reinforced with basalt and carbon, complementing the ski's directional shape with a build that naturally snaps out of every turn and propels you into the next. The waist width is plenty wide for all but the deepest days of the season when we'd recommend reaching for the S/Lab QST Blank or QST X. Generous tip rocker keeps the front of the ski sitting on top of fresh snow while modest tail rocker allows the rider to release a turn at any point and prevents washouts on landings.

Compared to other directional skis in this category, the mid-stiff flex makes it maneuverable, while that added cork in the tip and tail keeps it quiet when conditions get rowdy. The versatility of the QST 106 makes it a great daily driver and thanks to it's lightweight stability, you can pair it with a touring binding and take it deep into the backcountry.