2025 Salomon QST 106

With a fresh new colorway for 2025, the Salomon QST 106 returns structurally unchanged. This is one of those skis that fits a lot of different applications with smoothness and ease. As a 106, and with a more dramatic rocker profile, these skis are ideally suited for softer snow and powder. That said, the turning and carving capabilities are off the charts for a ski this wide—they're predictable and easy to turn yet have excellent rebound and wonderful smoothness. This ski feels like many different things all at the same time—it's a wonderful carver, an awesome floater, and a versatile ski that’ll take you anywhere. Thanks to Salomon’s fantastic engineering and design, the QST 106 is one of the most complete skis at this width. While some skiers may find it slightly heavy, it’s still nimble and agile enough to handle tighter and more technical zones.

It all starts with the full poplar wood core. Salomon lays it on thick with this ski, providing a dense and sturdy base. Underfoot, the use of double sidewalls adds grip and power in the middle of the ski while the rest of the ski is a bit more compatible for flexion. The tips and tails get Salomon’s cork damplifier to smooth vibrations and keep the ski on point. Through the central spine, Salomon incorporates a carbon/flax layup that stiffens the ski and provides an excellent response. With just a binding metal plate underfoot, it’s impressive what Salomon provides in terms of power and stability with a mainly titanal-free ski. Tester David Wolfgang notes that “Sometimes a ski and conditions perfectly align that you cannot help but make some magic. The deep powder, windblown powder, groomed corduroy and all-around deep freeze winter really allowed the ski to show it's stuff. It carved when you wanted to and surf and it had to and even smeared when necessary. Great fun.” It does make sense, given the combination of light weight and sturdy feel. The 181 sits on the scale just below 2000 grams so it does have the power to handle adverse conditions and terrain.

When in powder, this ski floats like a much wider ski. On groomers, it carves like a narrower one. This blend of shape and profile makes the QST 106 stand out in this category, offering a ton of performance and versatility to a wide range of skier. The 106 has stayed more the same in terms of a straighter cut than its narrower and wider QST brethren, a nod to the athletes who inspire the QST 106. The slightly longer 19-meter turn radius is less dramatic than the shorter arcs of the 98 and the Blank, putting the 106 in more of a rare category for straighter and longer turns. We still see a tremendous amount of rocker in this ski, with the standout feature being more of a kinked bend in the tail rocker rather than a smooth curve. This increases the ski’s ability to get sideways in a hurry—a concept that is very popular with modern freeride skiers. Matt McGinnis states that “Honestly, I like this ski on nearly all conditions. The only thing I haven’t enjoyed it on are firm groomers, where something with more stiffness and less waist would be a better choice, but by and large this ski can handle everything. As for what it handles best? Soft snow. This ski was amazing in soft conditions, and I’m thrilled I finally found that out.” Again, while this ski carves great for its width, it’s still nowhere near a frontside specialist.

With an open mind and a wonderfully wide zone of skier type, this QST 106 will suit the needs and wants of many soft snow enthusiasts. From the deep snows of Utah to the tight trees of Vermont, this ski has an incredible range. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy it, but given the weight and overall surface area, it fits in that ability level for sure. Intermediates may find it a bit of a handful, but feel free to size down if you want to maximize mobility and agility. Smooth, exciting, and totally game for the task at hand, these skis rip everyday and everywhere.