2025 Salomon Stance W 94

One of the most underrated skis in the all-mountain arena, the Salomon Stance W 94 is a silent weapon loaded with strength and stability. Often overlooked by the beloved QST line, this ski is right up there with the Santa Anas and Secrets, yet not as domineering. With a quieter demeanor and less eye-catching graphics, it has tended to get lost in the mix. A shame to say the least, with last year’s alterations, we got upgrades to both the construction and appearance, resulting in more attention and a rise in the fan club. Given its success, Salomon carried over the 2024 rendition for yet another season of energetic precision and powerful presence.

Heading into last season, we saw enhancements to the build with the goal being to lighten the weight and boost energy while retaining power. Where we used to see a full poplar wood core, we’re now seeing a blend of poplar and karuba. This not only lightens the load but also keeps the energy and responsiveness to an exceptionally high level. While this limits the performance ceiling to a degree, it's far from lacking and for those who don’t want the most powerful ski out there, this is the perfect option. In addition to lightening the build, we also get Salomon’s Twinframe 2 technology, which is reminiscent of Armada’s Articulated Titanal Banding. By milling out strips of metal on the side of the existing windows, Salomon makes the shovel of the ski more apt to flexing and bending with the snow underfoot. Within the windows of the upper metal laminate, Salomon incorporates a blend of carbon and basalt fibers. This does a really nice job keeping the ski light and energetic without sacrificing edge grip. As a result of these changes, we get a drop of around 100 grams from the previous model, weighing in at 1760 grams in the 168 cm length. A solid weight but more manageable than before, it feels stable and planted underfoot with plenty of maneuverability.

With the alterations to the build being the primary focus for the remodel, the shape remains the same and for good reason. Proving its success since its debut, Salomon maintained the overall footprint, boasting dimensions of 126/94/108 in the 168 cm length. A wider, rounded shovel adds great flotation abilities while the tail features slight rocker for energy and quick release. Generating a 19-meter turn radius, the longer shape works great for higher-speed skiing, driftier performance, and a fun-loving demeanor for off-piste terrain. It also prevents the ski from wanting to hook into a turn, which is ideal for bump and tree skiing. We also get a relatively long effective edge, which allows the ski to let it run and get up on high edge angles. Tester Loren Schaeffer awarded the Stance W 94 high scores across the board, saying “overall fun ski on powder and in the woods!” While this ski definitely falls more into the all-mountain category, its range of capabilities and level of versatility allows it to take on just about anything.

A true underdog, with the recent alterations made to this well deserving ski, advanced to expert skiers can revel in the impressive capabilities of such a high-performance ski. With a more accessible build and flashier look, the Stance W 94 will gain greater appreciation for its harmonious blend of powerful energy and responsive feedback.