2023 Salomon QST Stella 106

The Salomon QST Stella 106 carries forth the same successful attributes as the 2022 model yet with minor modifications and updated graphics. Keeping the highly regarded performance and overall personality, the Stella 106 remains the highly maneuverable and intuitive freeride powder ski for women looking to dominate the entire mountain while feeling confident on-trail as well. Following the trend of last year’s release of the QST 98 and Blank, this time on their flagship freeride ski with a similar revamp. With a primary focus on shape and rocker profile, the construction remains very similar to the previous model. We still get a poplar wood core, Salomon’s C/FX blend of carbon and flax stringer, and Cork Damplifiers in the tip and tail. This combination of essential materials is what gives this ski its lightweight, easy to maneuver personality that turns an otherwise heavy powder ski into a playful, approachable one.

Taking the new and improved addition to the construction and balancing it out with the shape and profile, this is where the upgrades come in. With deeper rocker lines and more taper in the tip and tail, the performance is positively affected by this, due to the several additive inches of rocker, leaving you with a shorter effective edge and enhanced flotation. The tail also received some attention in this year’s model, with less of a directional profile and more splay, leaning more in the direction of a twin-tip, freestyle profile. The newest addition to the construction is Salomon’s Double Sidewall technology, a high-density ABS material which is injected underfoot. Fusing cohesively with the full-length sidewall, you achieve a sturdy platform underfoot that enhances edge hold and absorbs inconsistencies in snow to provide a significantly smoother ride. With a 17 m turn radius in the 165 cm in length, longer, surfier turns are intuitive and smooth yet thanks to the double sidewall, quick edge to edge is also achievable.

Emily Crofton skied the 173 in length and despite the shorter effective edge, she still found it to be an ideal size for her. Having a biased approach to the ski test in terms of the Stella 106 with preexisting positive regards, her scores reflected that across the board. With 5’s in every category except for playfulness, which received a 4, it’s evident that Emily found this ski to be an overall winner. While it may not be the most playful ski out there in her eyes, it still earned a 5 for maneuverability which goes a long way when we’re focusing on a powder-focused ski. She mentioned, “I absolutely love this new Stella 106 and given the fact that I am well versed with the older models, I can really highlight the upgrades and how well they play into an already fantastic ski. It has always been a lightweight, maneuverable, and intuitive ski but the directional shape left me feeling a little heavy and weighed down in the tail. With the more freeride-oriented profile, plus the double sidewall addition, this ski is even more playful yet still incredibly sturdy underfoot with excellent edge grip.” It’s great when our tester has familiarity with previous models, having the comparison to truly provide us with helpful insight.

The Salomon Stella 106 is new and improved, ready to bounce in and out of powder with confidence and ease. For the ladies who want a wider ski underfoot yet the ability to rip strong arcing turns when encountering firmer conditions, this ski is the one to do it all. Lightweight, nimble, and sturdy, this ski is ready to deliver.