85kg, 185cm torn between 183 and 189 sizes. I managed to demo the 183 and it felt great but just a little short at speed on steeper stuff and not quite as floaty in very deep powder. Also love to hear your comparison on the QST 98 vs 106, and QST 106 echo. Looking for a mostly pow/freeride/sidecountry ski for the alps.
Just want to point out a small error here: Bob said the 176 length has a 15m turning radius, but it is actually 16. You would need to go as short as the 169 to generate a 15m turning radius.
The Sakana is different from anything. Not much else out there with a 105 mm waist, a 15-meter turn radius, and a swallow tail design. The Sakana ends up being a cheat code for on-trail skiing while the QST is happier in softer snow, trees, and in situations that require more mobility. The QST is a lot safer of a bet if you don't want to think too hard about what you're going to be skiing on any given day. That said, I absolutely love the Sakana.
I’m so torn between those and the fischer ranger 102 for skiing in the alps. I don’t have the possibility to demo any of them so I’m in a difficoult spot. What would anyone suggest?
6,3 225 lbs, i bought the 183 coming from sky 7 hd in 180, inter-expert trees, pops and double blacks, bad knees so I went with the 183 for shorter cuts, what do you guys think?
Hey there, 178cm / 70kg here, intermediate skier, looking for a one for all solution with some Salomon Shift Bindings to get that 70/30 Ratio of being in the resort and going up the hill by myself. Would consider myself as someone who can lift some weight with my feet but I would also love the feeling of some lighter skis. So I don't know if the Line Vision 108 or the Salomon QST 98 would be the right choice. I'm just a bit worried about the Lines Visions being too drifty without much edgehold when it comes to carving on the slopes....
I think if you're 70% in the resort, the QST 98 is a better choice. It's a bit heftier, but if you're not touring that often, then it's worth the trade for downhill performance. Vision is great--lots of fun and super drifty, but in a different class when it comes to smoothness and stability in a resort setting.
@SkiEssentials I owned a pair of QST 106s and I loved the Edge grip for carving but it lacked of playfulness for some sidehits and a bit of Jumping/jibbing. I'm just s bit worried that Line won't carve at all or won't have any Edge grip. How much worse is the Line when it comes to carving?
got these over the summer thinking i'd mostly ski during the morning groomed slopes and some off piste after noon. However i couldn't buy the full season pass and had to get the afternoon pass which is valid after 1pm. How well do you think this ski will handle the chopped slopes for a crowded ski resort? Should i have got something more solid with metal underfoot instead?
The QST 98 is surprisingly solid. They also do have metal underfoot in the mount zone, although it's not as structural as some other skis. They also have a beefed up sidewall in that zone as well, adding to the grip. I think you're going to do great on the 98 in your situations.
It's a heavy touring setup, so be prepared for some weight. Occasional touring will be fine, but if you become more dedicated, I feel a lighter setup will be preferred.
I’m 6 feet tall but weigh 140lbs. I would consider myself and expert skier, skiing only out west. I like to charge hard and go fast, but do enjoy tree runs from time to time. Wondering if I should go with QST 98 in 176 or 183. I’ve heard it’s best to size up with these, and given my style I’m leaning 183, but also concerned about it being too much ski for me being a lighter weight for my height, especially in the trees. But idk I am also fairly aggressive. Any advice is appreciated.
I'd say move up to the 183 here based on height and aggressiveness. This way, too, you'll never wonder if you should have gone longer. they do feel very mobile even in longer lengths.
Stance is more comfortable in a carved turn with greater power and stability. The QST is more of a soft snow specialist although it holds up quite well when it comes to groomer predictability. If you're in trees or off-piste more, the QST is more fun and creative. For higher speeds and stronger performance, I'd go Stance.
Torn between these and the Dynastar m free 99 Ski on Vancouver island British Columbia and want to ski bumps and steeper terrain that’s bumped out and ski lots of trees. 5.9 250 pounds Any advice will help I am an intermediate skier. Also have a seasons pass for whistler
The QST 98 is a bit more directional and better at carving and groomers in terms of stability and predictability. Both are exceptional tree and mogul skis but I do think the QST's on-trail performance makes it stand out from the M-Free.
Interested at the QST 98 for powder days, Question which length 169 or 176, due to the long rockers, I am 70 years old intermediate/advance 190 lbs main driver is a Steadfast 85, 168, your input?
planning to get this a an all around lift-ski. But Im torn between sizes. Im 185 cm and around 75 kg and leaning towards the 183 cm? I know the Qst 98 skis quite short but my other two skis are 188 (powder) and 185 (touring) so feel that getting a tiny bit shorter ski has it's place. Especially since Im gonna use on slope.
How does this ski handle the mid-day/afternoon chop? love the way the 106 can float through the morning and then bust through the chop later in the day. Thanks!
Compared to the QST 106, the 98 is just a bit more jittery, mainly because it has a lot more tip and tail rocker and taper. That's for the chop. When it comes to smoother terrain, the 98 is amazing, and it's also very impressive in powder for the width. It just wants to turn more than the 106 with the shorter arc due to the shorter effective edge.
I'm in between this and the unleashed 98. Does the lack of metail really make a difference compared to unleashed? I'm skiing 90% at winter park CO, and im 60/40 bumps,trees / groomers
Yes there is a difference. The Unleashed is more planted in the snow in a carved turn. That's on groomers. Off-trail the Salomon is more spry and energetic. If you're in the trees and bumps a lot, the QST is such a great choice. Unleashed just carves insanely well for a twin tip.
Something with partial metal makes sense as the ski can hold well on ice but has more amenable tips and tails for softer snow. Blizzard Rustler 9, Fischer Ranger 96, and Salomon Stance 96 are some of our favorites in this realm.
@@nope_1585 We pair any of those skis mainly with either a Marker Griffon or a Tyrolia Attack 14. Great reliable bindings that fit well on those skis for advanced skiers.
Got these last year; best skis I ever had. Pure bliss.
just got mine over the summer, can't wait to ride em
85kg, 185cm torn between 183 and 189 sizes. I managed to demo the 183 and it felt great but just a little short at speed on steeper stuff and not quite as floaty in very deep powder. Also love to hear your comparison on the QST 98 vs 106, and QST 106 echo. Looking for a mostly pow/freeride/sidecountry ski for the alps.
Just want to point out a small error here: Bob said the 176 length has a 15m turning radius, but it is actually 16. You would need to go as short as the 169 to generate a 15m turning radius.
Thanks for the correction!
@ no problem. Keep up the good work!
Nice review! What Do You think about this QST 98 vs Line Sakana? What is main different for advanced skier? Thx
The Sakana is different from anything. Not much else out there with a 105 mm waist, a 15-meter turn radius, and a swallow tail design. The Sakana ends up being a cheat code for on-trail skiing while the QST is happier in softer snow, trees, and in situations that require more mobility. The QST is a lot safer of a bet if you don't want to think too hard about what you're going to be skiing on any given day. That said, I absolutely love the Sakana.
I’m so torn between those and the fischer ranger 102 for skiing in the alps. I don’t have the possibility to demo any of them so I’m in a difficoult spot. What would anyone suggest?
I love the dampness and ease of turning of the QST 98. It feels very natural to me in all sorts of conditions and terrain.
6,3 225 lbs, i bought the 183 coming from sky 7 hd in 180, inter-expert trees, pops and double blacks, bad knees so I went with the 183 for shorter cuts, what do you guys think?
I'm 6/2 225 and I'd take the 183 in this ski.
Hey there,
178cm / 70kg here, intermediate skier, looking for a one for all solution with some Salomon Shift Bindings to get that 70/30 Ratio of being in the resort and going up the hill by myself. Would consider myself as someone who can lift some weight with my feet but I would also love the feeling of some lighter skis. So I don't know if the Line Vision 108 or the Salomon QST 98 would be the right choice. I'm just a bit worried about the Lines Visions being too drifty without much edgehold when it comes to carving on the slopes....
I think if you're 70% in the resort, the QST 98 is a better choice. It's a bit heftier, but if you're not touring that often, then it's worth the trade for downhill performance. Vision is great--lots of fun and super drifty, but in a different class when it comes to smoothness and stability in a resort setting.
@SkiEssentials I owned a pair of QST 106s and I loved the Edge grip for carving but it lacked of playfulness for some sidehits and a bit of Jumping/jibbing. I'm just s bit worried that Line won't carve at all or won't have any Edge grip. How much worse is the Line when it comes to carving?
got these over the summer thinking i'd mostly ski during the morning groomed slopes and some off piste after noon. However i couldn't buy the full season pass and had to get the afternoon pass which is valid after 1pm. How well do you think this ski will handle the chopped slopes for a crowded ski resort? Should i have got something more solid with metal underfoot instead?
The QST 98 is surprisingly solid. They also do have metal underfoot in the mount zone, although it's not as structural as some other skis. They also have a beefed up sidewall in that zone as well, adding to the grip. I think you're going to do great on the 98 in your situations.
How’d this QST be paired with a Duke PT for occasional touring?
It's a heavy touring setup, so be prepared for some weight. Occasional touring will be fine, but if you become more dedicated, I feel a lighter setup will be preferred.
I’m 6 feet tall but weigh 140lbs. I would consider myself and expert skier, skiing only out west. I like to charge hard and go fast, but do enjoy tree runs from time to time. Wondering if I should go with QST 98 in 176 or 183. I’ve heard it’s best to size up with these, and given my style I’m leaning 183, but also concerned about it being too much ski for me being a lighter weight for my height, especially in the trees. But idk I am also fairly aggressive. Any advice is appreciated.
I'd say move up to the 183 here based on height and aggressiveness. This way, too, you'll never wonder if you should have gone longer. they do feel very mobile even in longer lengths.
Hi, I'm hesatating between this one or the stance 96.Any advice please?
Stance is more comfortable in a carved turn with greater power and stability. The QST is more of a soft snow specialist although it holds up quite well when it comes to groomer predictability. If you're in trees or off-piste more, the QST is more fun and creative. For higher speeds and stronger performance, I'd go Stance.
@@SkiEssentials Thank you!!
Would you recommend the 189cm size for male 188cm 78kg? I ski mostly small powder and forests
They do ski a bit short, so I think the 189 is warranted here.
@@SkiEssentials Great, thank you
@@SkiEssentials Also would the 95cm wide Tyrolia Attack 14 be the right size for these
Torn between these and the Dynastar m free 99 Ski on Vancouver island British Columbia and want to ski bumps and steeper terrain that’s bumped out and ski lots of trees. 5.9 250 pounds Any advice will help I am an intermediate skier. Also have a seasons pass for whistler
The QST 98 is a bit more directional and better at carving and groomers in terms of stability and predictability. Both are exceptional tree and mogul skis but I do think the QST's on-trail performance makes it stand out from the M-Free.
@@SkiEssentials thank you very much for the information, much appreciated
Interested at the QST 98 for powder days, Question which length 169 or 176, due to the long rockers, I am 70 years old intermediate/advance 190 lbs main driver is a Steadfast 85, 168, your input?
The QST 98 does have a relatively short radius, so you can upsize on these if you're in the middle. I'd say the 176 is a fine move here.
planning to get this a an all around lift-ski. But Im torn between sizes. Im 185 cm and around 75 kg and leaning towards the 183 cm? I know the Qst 98 skis quite short but my other two skis are 188 (powder) and 185 (touring) so feel that getting a tiny bit shorter ski has it's place. Especially since Im gonna use on slope.
I agree with the 183 here based on your stats and application. Have fun!
@@SkiEssentials thanks! And thanks for really great reviews
How does this ski handle the mid-day/afternoon chop? love the way the 106 can float through the morning and then bust through the chop later in the day. Thanks!
Compared to the QST 106, the 98 is just a bit more jittery, mainly because it has a lot more tip and tail rocker and taper. That's for the chop. When it comes to smoother terrain, the 98 is amazing, and it's also very impressive in powder for the width. It just wants to turn more than the 106 with the shorter arc due to the shorter effective edge.
@@SkiEssentials thanks!
I'm in between this and the unleashed 98. Does the lack of metail really make a difference compared to unleashed? I'm skiing 90% at winter park CO, and im 60/40 bumps,trees / groomers
Yes there is a difference. The Unleashed is more planted in the snow in a carved turn. That's on groomers. Off-trail the Salomon is more spry and energetic. If you're in the trees and bumps a lot, the QST is such a great choice. Unleashed just carves insanely well for a twin tip.
@@SkiEssentials is the Unleashed 98 good enough in trees/bumps? I’m coming from deacon 8.0 season rentals
@@seanwells6570 It's not as good as the QST, but it's good enough given the stability and smoothness in it's on-trail capacity.
Hi what ski would you recommend for someone who mostly does skiing in ungroomed trails in eithet powder or icy terrain
Skiing in Tahoe w epic pass
Something with partial metal makes sense as the ski can hold well on ice but has more amenable tips and tails for softer snow. Blizzard Rustler 9, Fischer Ranger 96, and Salomon Stance 96 are some of our favorites in this realm.
Thank you so much
@@SkiEssentials Whar bindings would you recommend for an advanced skier
@@nope_1585 We pair any of those skis mainly with either a Marker Griffon or a Tyrolia Attack 14. Great reliable bindings that fit well on those skis for advanced skiers.
Got my pair today! 😎 All I need now is snow… ❄️⛷️❄️
what length would you recommend for advanced male skier, 168cm, 65kg. use case is mostly front side, but as fun all mountain ski? thanks
I'd go with the 169 in this ski unless you know you want longer. I don't think the 176 is too long.