Salomon QST 118 Review

Hands-On Review of the QST 118

Effectively taking over the Rocker series, these skis come fully-loaded with a Twin Rocker profile, full ABS sidewall, and fancy new core materials to reduce weight. We tested this model in the 178 cm length.

Float

As we hoped, the QST 118 redeemed itself as a powder tool with its excellent floatation in deep snow. Though the tapered tip seems unstable on firm snow, these dimensions work to the ski's advantage when charging through light particles. Also contrasting with hardpack performance, the lightness and softness of the QST 118 make it very maneuverable and springy in blower. As intended, this ultra-wide and superlight ski can hang when the snow piles up. The Line Pescado killed it in this metric along with the DPS Alchemist Lotus.

Stability at Speed

Of all the skis in this review, this was undoubtedly the most noodly. When revved up to speed in secondhand snow, the QST 118 will shutter and bounce out of balance. We suspect that this issue is more specific to our larger testers and would be less pronounced in the longer 185 cm or 192 cm options. However, the strong taper and lightweight core—featured in all lengths—are the primary impediments to stability. The QST 118 finished at the bottom of the pack, outperformed by the other contenders in our fleet. Top scorers include the Nordica Enforcer Pro, and Volkl Confession.

Crud

Getting bossed around more than we'd like, the QST gave a lackluster performance in the crud category and took home an average score. Again, we would attribute this to the lightweight construction and relatively soft flex. The honeycomb inserts found in the tail may reduce weight but don't seem to absorb shocks very well on harder bumps. Described by one tester as “damp enough,” they weren't helpless but required a centered stance to avoid getting squirrelly. The Nordica Enforcer and Volkl Confession are the two top contenders in this metric. If plowing through crud is a top priority, we'd recommend giving a glance to these powder skis.

Carving

We think the QST 118 has lower-than-average carving abilities, even after cutting it some slack for being a fat-waisted powder ski. When balanced, the solid sidewall construction and camber underfoot give a decent grip. But the dual rocker and short effective edge made the carving sweet spot difficult to stay on top of. With the QST 118 earning an average score in this metric, other contenders, like the Elan Ripstick 116 performed better.

Playfulness

Not surprisingly, the soft flex and pronounced rocker of this ski make it a very surfy, poppy ride. When romping through soft snow on playful terrain, the QST 118 had good directional energy and a distinct springiness that was a breeze to operate. It rebounds when sunken and has a pretty neutral swing weight. It can also float in both directions and finishes towards the top of the pack for this metric. The Moment Wildcat and Atomic Backland Bent Chetler were the only other skis to outperform the QST 118, in the playfulness metric. It offers a fun ride.

Versatility

Overall, we didn't find the QST 118 to be a very versatile tool. It's worth mentioning again that we don't expect a powder ski to be a jack-of-all-trades, and in this case, the 118 scored about average. But the extreme preference for soft snow that we noted in this ski was enough for us to realize that it isn't a solid option for all-mountain performance. Contenders that offer a higher level of versatility include the Volkl Confession, Nordica Enforcer Pro.

Best Applications

It seems to us that this could be a great option for a freeride backcountry skier who is looking for a lightweight powder tool that is fun and easy to drive. Lacking stiffness and weight, the QST 118 would have certain limitations in the big-mountain arena. But for someone that prefers a light, flexy ski, this could be your dedicated pow setup.

Value

With an average cost and below-average performance, we believe that the QST 118 has poor value. It's tough to recommend since there are better options at the same price.

Conclusion

The Salomon QST 118 was both fun and floaty, but we were underwhelmed by this skis big-mountain stability. Touted as a hard-charging line-destroyer, we were expecting more in the way of high speeds and stability through mixed snow. Lacking the grit to be reliable in sketchy situations, the QST 118 seems a bit undercooked to handle massive lines. That said, it is a perfectly wonderful powder ski. But that's about it.