First Look: 2016-2017 Salomon QST 99

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Salomon QST 99 for Blister Gear Review.
2016-2017 Salomon QST 99

Ski: 2016-2017 Salomon QST 99, 188 cm

Available Lengths (cm): 167, 174, 181, 188

Actual Tip to Tail Length (straight tape pull): 187.2 cm

Stated Dimensions (188 cm): 140-99-122

Blister’s Measured Dimensions: 139-98-121

Stated Weight per Ski (181 cm): 1825 grams

Blister’s Measured Weight per Ski (188 cm): 2024 & 2029

Stated Sidecut Radius (188 cm): 19.6 meters

Core Construction: Poplar + Titanal Layer + Carbon & Flax Laminate

Tip / Tail Splay (ski decambered): 55 mm / 20 mm

Traditional Camber Underfoot: 2-3 mm

Recommended Line: -8.8 cm from center; 84.8 cm from tail

Mount Location: 1 cm behind Recommended Line

Days Skied 7

Test Location: Taos, NM

Flex Pattern:

Hand flexing the QST 99, we’d sum up the flex pattern like this:

  • Tips: 6
  • Shovel: 7
  • Underfoot: 9-10
  • Tail: 8

QST: What Is It?

Salomon has shaken up their line of freeride skis, and the new series is called, “QST.”

The first question is, of course, how different these “QST” skis are from Salomon’s current “Quest” lineup of skis (such as the Salomon Quest 105, Q-96 Lumen, and Q-Lab.)

Answer: quite different. And we’ll be saying more about that as we spend more time on the new skis.

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Salomon QST 99 for Blister Gear Review.
Jonathan Ellsworth on the Salomon QST 99, Taos, NM. (photo by Korey Dausz)

About the QST line in general, Salomon says, “Backside skis charging off-piste are not unique. But Backside skis charging also on-piste are… They’re called QST.”

Note: “Bi-Directional” vs. “Directional”

Salomon describes the QST 118 and 106 as “Bi-directional,” and the QST 99 and 92 as “Directional.”

“Bi-Directional” to Salomon means that the skis are optimized “to perform in powder and soft snow, thanks to twin rocker and a Koroyd tip and tail.”

“Directional” is defined as, “performing in all conditions, thanks to AM Rocker, and a wood core extending into the tail.”

Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Salomon QST 99 for Blister Gear Review.
Jonathan Ellsworth on the Salomon QST 99, Taos, NM. (photo by Korey Dausz)

What they don’t note as a difference is that the 192 cm QST 118 has a recommended mount point that is only 4.65 cm behind true center, while the 188 cm QST 99’s mount point is set further back at 8.8 cm behind true center.

Re: the QST 99 in Particular…

In Salomon’s catalog, the only thing they say in particular about the QST 99 is: “Charge in any condition.”

So is the QST 99 a “charger”?

That’s a pretty interesting question, actually, and with four days on this ski, I still am working to pin it down.

Update: Our Full Review

You can now read here our full review of the QST 99

NEXT: Rocker Profile Pics

9 comments on “First Look: 2016-2017 Salomon QST 99”

  1. Hi guys,
    I’m looking for a ski around ~100 mm wide to be used as a telemark. I read your reviews of the Salomon QST 99, the Nordica Enforcer 100, the Blizzard Rustler 10 and I’m still wondering which one would be the most adapted !
    I ride 50/50 in and out of bounds. I like a stable ski a high speeds, but like it to be playful too…
    I’m 180 cm and about 70 kg. Any recommendations?
    Thanks a lot,
    Jerome

    • Hey Jerome,

      I recommend the Salomon QST or the Head Kore as they are both cheap and created with multi-layer wooden cores of poplar and beech as well as with an outlining of graphene.
      They are great skis with many snow tests and other reviews.
      I recommend to check them out.

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