Salomon QST 100 Skis Review
Meet the most playful Salomon QST skis yet. With a 100 mm waist and a dynamic freeride shape, the Salomon QST 100 is built to be your daily shred companion. Whether you’re laying down carves on groomers or exploring fresh terrain, these skis are designed to deliver nimble everyday performance and lively responsiveness. A full poplar wood core, cork damping in the tips, and a Titanal insert underfoot combine to create a ski that is stable at high speeds yet floaty off-piste. If you want one ski that sets the perfect vibe for every ride, the QST 100 deserves a serious look.
Tech Specs (At a Glance)
- Waist Width: 100 millimeters across all sizes
- Ski Camber: Tip and tail rocker with a partial twin tail
- Core: Full poplar wood core with cork Damplifier and basalt superlight fibers
- Sidecut Radius: 14.5 m (156 cm) to 17.5 m (180 cm)
- Weight (Pair): 6 lbs. 15.47 oz. (156 cm) to 8 lbs. 4.63 oz. (180 cm)
Playful Freeride Shape for Daily Shredding
The Salomon QST 100 strikes an impressive balance between a freeride ski and an everyday resort tool. Its 100 mm waist is wide enough to float through powder but narrow enough to feel quick edge to edge on groomed runs. The dynamic freeride shape, combined with tip and tail rocker, gives the ski a loose, surfy feel in soft snow while remaining predictable when you tip it over. This is a ski that encourages you to express yourself with style and confidence, whether you’re popping off side hits or threading trees.
Salomon calls it the most playful QST yet, and the shape supports that claim. The long tail rocker length and progressive mounting point make pivot and maneuverability effortless, so quick direction changes feel natural rather than forced. It’s the kind of ski that makes an ordinary resort day feel like an adventure.
Stability at Speed and Hard Snow Grip
Don’t let the playful nature fool you—the QST 100 has a serious backbone. A Titanal® insert runs edge to edge underfoot throughout the ski, delivering maximal power and increased hard snow edging. That means when conditions turn firm or you point it down a fast groomer, the ski holds an edge with confidence and stays composed at high speeds.
The full poplar wood core construction maximizes liveliness, stability, and ski-to-snow contact while filtering vibrations. Combined with the Titanal insert, the result is a ski that is stable at high speeds without feeling like a heavy race plank. It rewards strong skiers who like to drive their skis but remains accessible for progressing intermediates.
Cork Damplifier and Basalt Fibers
Salomon’s Cork Damplifier is one of the standout technologies in the QST 100. Cork is three times more absorbing than Koroyd, and using it in the tips of the skis enables a high level of vibration absorption and damping with even less weight. The practical benefit is a quieter ride over chattery snow and less fatigue in the legs on long days.
Basalt superlight fibers round out the construction, adding strength and damping without tipping the scale. At roughly 7 lbs. 13 oz. per pair in the 172 cm length, the QST 100 is light enough for nimble everyday performance and lively responsiveness, yet substantial enough to feel planted when the terrain gets technical.
Float and Maneuverability Off-Piste
With 100 mm underfoot and generous tip widths ranging from 131 mm to 134 mm depending on length, the QST 100 delivers floaty off-piste turns. The tip and tail rocker profile keeps the ends of the ski elevated in soft snow, making it easy to smear, pivot, and stay on top of the pow. The partial twin tail adds versatility for switch riding and landing tricks without sacrificing too much grip.
Long tail rocker length and a progressive mounting point further enhance pivot and maneuverability. In tight trees, bumps, and steep chutes, the ski feels intuitive and forgiving, letting you focus on line choice rather than fighting the ski.
An Everyday One-Ski Quiver Candidate
The Salomon QST 100 is marketed as the perfect everyday choice, and the spec sheet backs that up. It’s ideal for carving groomers and exploring new terrain, with a best-use designation of downhill skiing across groomed and powder terrain. The unisex design and size range from 156 cm to 180 cm make it adaptable to a wide variety of skiers.
Bindings are not included, so you have the freedom to pair the ski with the binding that matches your boot and skiing style. For anyone who wants a single ski that handles the whole mountain—from morning groomers to afternoon powder stashes—the QST 100 is a compelling option that delivers nimble everyday performance and lively responsiveness in a versatile package.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Versatile 100 mm waist handles groomers and powder alike
- Playful, maneuverable freeride shape with tip and tail rocker
- Titanal insert provides strong edge grip and stability at speed
- Cork Damplifier and basalt fibers reduce vibration without adding weight
- Lively full poplar wood core with a progressive mounting point
Cons:
- Bindings not included, adding to the total cost
- Weight climbs to over 8 lbs. per pair in the longest 180 cm size
- Partial twin tail may limit hard-charging switch skiing compared to a full twin
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Use | Downhill Skiing |
| Ski Terrain | Groomed and powder |
| Tip Width | 156 cm: 131 mm; 164 cm: 132 mm; 172 cm: 133 mm; 180 cm: 134 mm |
| Waist Width | 100 mm |
| Tail Width | 156 cm: 119 mm; 164 cm: 120 mm; 172 cm: 121 mm; 180 cm: 122 mm |
| Sidecut Radius | 156 cm: 14.5 m; 164 cm: 15.5 m; 172 cm: 16.5 m; 180 cm: 17.5 m |
| Ski Camber | Tip and Tail Rocker |
| Tail Type | Partial Twin |
| Core | Full poplar wood |
| Bindings Included | No |
| Boot Sole Compatibility | Bindings Not Included |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Weight (Pair) | 156 cm: 6 lbs. 15.47 oz.; 164 cm: 7 lbs. 6.87 oz.; 172 cm: 7 lbs. 13.58 oz.; 180 cm: 8 lbs. 4.63 oz. |
Where to Buy
The Salomon QST 100 Skis are available at rei.com and evo.com, two trusted retailers with strong customer service and reliable shipping. Shopping at REI gives you the benefit of the co-op’s generous return policy and member rewards, while evo.com is a go-to destination for ski gear with frequent deals and a deep selection of freeride equipment. Both retailers list the 2026/2027 model, so you can compare pricing and availability between the two. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales, as both stores often discount skis during pre-season and end-of-season events. Wherever you buy, confirm the size and binding compatibility before checkout.
Final Verdict
The Salomon QST 100 is a genuinely versatile everyday ski that backs up its playful reputation with real performance. The 100 mm waist, tip and tail rocker, and progressive mounting point make it fun and maneuverable in soft snow and tight terrain, while the Titanal insert and poplar core deliver the stability and edge grip needed for fast groomer laps. The cork Damplifier keeps the ride quiet and the weight reasonable. It isn’t the cheapest option since bindings are sold separately, and the partial twin tail won’t suit dedicated park riders, but for the skier who wants one ski to handle the whole mountain with a lively, confident feel, the QST 100 is an excellent choice.
