Salomon’s QST line of skis has been a common sight in lift lines (and the backcountry) for a few years now, gaining a reputation as reliable daily drivers for advanced to expert level skiers that want a damp ride for charging through all manner of snow conditions. Last year, we tested the all-new QST Blank, a 112 underfoot big-mountain ripper that quickly became one of my favorite skis of all time. The Blanks simply ate up whatever was in front of me, making even marginal conditions pure fun. This year, that same construction was brought over to the re-designed QST 106 – a slightly narrower and more maneuverable shape that looked to be the perfect companion to the bigger 112s for resort days when you couldn’t remember the last time it snowed. We tested the new QST 106 in 181cm, mounted with Salomon’s new Strive GW 16 alpine binding during a persistent high-pressure system in the Tetons that gave us a chance to throw them around in pretty much any condition imaginable, and here’s what we think of the skis!
The Tech:
The new QST 106 shares the same construction as the QST 112, blending Salomon’s C/FX carbon stringer backbone with a poplar wood code, double sidewalls and cork “damplifiers” in the tip and tail. The ski’s directional shape is very different from the 112, and even the older QST 106. The new model now has much more dramatic rocker lines, more tapered tips and tails and a slightly shorter turning radius (now at 19 meters). The rocker and taper lines aim to make the ski quick and maneuverable without compromising too much stability at speed. The tip is quite soft, while underfoot the ski is as stiff as can be, before becoming slightly softer again in the tail. Salomon’s claimed weight for the ski comes in around 2100 grams. It wouldn’t be my first choice as a ski-mountaineering ski, but could be a good candidate as an everyday touring ski for Teton Pass or places with smaller amounts of vert per lap - especially for skiing chopped up pow.
The Strive GW16 are Salomon’s newest freeride bindings. The 16 uses the existing heel piece from the Warden/STH2 and combines it with a new toe piece that takes cues from the Shift. The new Strive puts the binding closer to the ski, increasing power and response from your skis. It offers 47mm of elastic travel, GripWalk compatibility, 7-16 DIN, and automatic wing and toe adjustments, which should make swapping boots faster and easier. The binding weighs in at 2220g a pair.
