BUILT FROM A BLANK SLATE
What does “freeride” mean to you? Is it lift-accessed expression session laps from bell to bell, ski touring to untouched powder fields, or floating threes off natural features?
Over the past five years, the QST line has brought new technologies and materials to market - skis that have changed the narration of “freeride” skiing. With the 3rd generation, we gave our athletes a blank slate and tasked them with designing the perfect “freeride” ski. Alexi Godbout weighed in on playfulness, while Stan Rey and Chris Rubens brought their ex-racer turned powder pig needs to the table. Leah Evans chimed in on floatation, Josh Daiek sounded off on power and stability, and Cody Townsend delivered on weight vs. performance. Young guns like Nico Vuignier and Ugo Troubat made sure liveliness and agility were not forgotten.
The result? Skis for the resort lapper, ski tourer, and freestyler alike. Skis that you can count on to define what freeride means to you. Skis that will make it easy for you to say #ISkiQST.
“When we first started the QST line the goal was to make a collection of skis that were very versatile no matter what conditions we faced. We realized that we had a gap between the 118 (a powder charger) and the 106 (a ski resort slayer), so enter the Blank. A ski that can excel in any condition that you encounter, and when matched with a Shift binding, the ultimate setup. I ski QST.” – Chris Rubens
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“With the designers behind us, we created a new ski model, the Blank. It combines the playfulness of the 106 and performance of the 118, but at a 112mm waist. A ski this versatile is my everyday charger. I cannot wait for everyone to try it.” - Alexi Godbout
Men’s QST Collection
We tasked our athletes with designing the most progressive and playful freeride powder ski on the mountain: meet the QST Blank. Pillow-popping and powder-loving, the Blank’s 112 mm waist width and progressive shape enhance the flotation and playfulness of your turns, while its combination of Double Sidewall Technology, Cork Damplifier and C/FX provides the stability you can rely on whether you’re rallying inbounds laps or touring for first tracks. Perfect binding pairings include the STH2 MNC 16 for resort ripping, S/LAB Shift MNC 13 for ultimate freeride versatility and the MTN Pure for long, powder filled days in the skin track.
Features:
• Double Sidewall Construction
• Cork Damplifier
• C/FX
• Poplar Woodcore
From chasing natural features in the morning, to slaying glades ‘til après, the QST 98 is a playful yet powerful ski. With a new, modern, twin rocker shape and versatile 98mm waist-width, the QST 98 rises to any challenge. Double sidewalls transmit power to your edges while cork Damplifier and C/FX keep things stable and predictable regardless of conditions.
Features:
• Double Sidewall Construction
• Cork Damplifier
• C/FX
• Poplar Woodcore
Fact – the athlete inspired QST Blank will blow your socks off! But our goal was to build the most versatile collection of skis for all types of skiers. Mission accomplished! From the Blank all the way down through the QST 106, QST 98 and QST 92, this collection of skis unleashes pure versatility. Right at home from the piste and terrain park to the world’s tallest peaks and deepest powder, pick the model that works for you and make some freeride magic.
Women’s QST Collection
Freeride means something different to ever skier. And that meaning is determined and defined by the skier and how they utilize their ski. From the QST Stella to the Lumen and Lux, the QST collection of women’s skis offers a versatile partner in crime no matter what type of skier you are, where you call home and what conditions you find down the fall line. Pick your partner, pair it with your style and get ready to have some fun on the slopes.
FW21 Salomon QST Reviews
Chances are you're wondering how the new QST collection performs, especially the all-new QST 98 and QST Blank. Maybe you're even looking for reviews from people who live and ski like you do? Well, your wish is our command. We'll continue to update this page with additional reviews as they are generated. Enjoy!
Teton Gravity Research
"Salomon’s QST Blank is one of the best skis the company has made to date, and it’s clear the athletes and designers did their homework when it came to designing a ski that can handle just about everything big-mountain riding will throw at you. I don’t really believe in one-ski quivers, especially for skiing inbounds, but with its split personality and ability to both charge and be maneuverable in tight terrain, the QST Blank might just convince me it can be the one freeride ski to do it all at a place like Jackson Hole."
Check out the full Teton Gravity Research here.
Outside and Mountain Magazine First Look – Marc Peruzzi
Marc Peruzzi, the man behind the ski test for Outside and Mountain Magazines, got a first look at the all-new QST Blank. Make sure to keep an eye out for the Gear Guides and full review this Fall!
“Just needed to tell you guys how much I love the new ski! It just rips and allows all different types of input. You can pivot and slash it around, pressure both skis equally and get it into a carve, or just flat out carve on groomers. I knew I was going to dig it when you showed it to me on zoom but I wasn’t expecting this kind of versatility in a 112. I’m kind of in love with this ski. Made me believe in skis over 108mm again."
Ski Essentials - Jeff Neagle
Weighing in from the east coast, the Ski Essentials crew takes a deep dive into the QST Blank and how it performs in those classic east coast conditions and terrain. Hot take - "I love the way this ski pivots and smears."
Following up on their review of the QST Blank, the Ski Essentials crew dives deep into the all-new QST 98 including how it differs from its predecessor - the QST 99 - and how it compares to the other skis in the range - the QST 92 and QST 106. Push play to learn more! Link here
evo
"The secret sauce to the Blank that makes it so versatile isn’t just its combination of a low/long rocker profile in the tip/tail with camber underfoot, there are plenty of skis that have that these days, Combining those attributes combined with a 17m turn radius and a 112mm waist width are fairly unique. Most skis at this waist width will have a turn radius that is closer to 20m, or more, which works great on big hairy descents but makes the skis feel sluggish just about everywhere else. The slightly tighter radius makes the Blank feel playful in just about all conditions."
Check out the full evo review here.
Blister Gear Review
Known for their comprehensive reviews, Blister Gear Review got the chance to spend some quality time with the QST Blank. Here's a taste of what they thought:
"The Salomon QST Blank is a smooth, stable, wider all-mountain ski that is best suited to soft conditions. It offers good flotation and blasts through chop well enough to enjoy a resort pow day from the untracked turns you might be lucky enough to find, to the tracked-up pow that you will (definitely) eventually find. It is damp enough to enjoy firmer conditions when it hasn’t snowed in a while, and it is playful and balanced enough to make the most out of big and small airs alike."
Check out the full Blister Gear Review here.
SKI Magazine
Gear editor, Jon Jay, got the chance to put the QST Blank through its paces at Silverton Mountain in Colorado. Here's a look at what he thought:
"I was able to get an advanced preview and put the new Salomon QST Blank to the test at Silverton Mountain, Colo. During the first few days of testing, the conditions were unequivocally low-tide, which means adventure skiing at this guided-only ski area. The QST Blank’s extended camber and the ski’s double sidewall tech provided confident grip in steep, hard couloirs, and the cork damplifier and C/FX laminate kept the skis tame during high-speed descents in aprons full of funky wind-affected snow. Luckily, the conditions took a turn for the better in the following days and we got to ski 20 inches of fresh snow. I was surprised by the QST Blank’s flotation given the relatively slim waist. The ski’s dimensions straddle the line between super floaty and being able to dip the tips for faceshots, and it was only a matter of changing my stance to make the skis surf or trench. I mounted the skis 1.5 cm forward from recommended and was able to pop the tails off rollers and ledges and launch much higher than expected."
Read the full review here.
Ski Industry Outsider™ - Dave Amirault
Watch and learn as Dave Amirault puts the QST Blank to the test at three different resorts and in every condition from groomers to powder.
Hot take - "This ski rips!"
