Salomon QST 99 Skis 2017
Advanced skiers who like speed, stability, and lighter skis will enjoy the versatility of the Salomon QST 99 Skis.
While they're not geared towards beginner or intermediate skiers, they're durable and powerful and ready to take on a number of conditions.
- Groomer Performance7.5
- Powder Performance9.2
- Edge Hold9.0
- Ease of Use7.0
- Construction Quality9.3
Finding the right ski for intermediate and advanced skiers can be just as difficult as it can be for beginning skiers.
It is not always so easy to find the information you need about the best ski for you; especially if you are shopping for skis at a store where there may or may not be a knowledgeable person there to tell you about them. That’s what we’re here for!
Let’s look at the Salomon QST 99 Skis, so you can go out to a store (or shop online) and know what these skis are all about.
While they are very stable, work great on most terrains, and are pretty lightweight, there have also been some complaints about the skis not being great on hard-packed snow, that you might experience some chatter while skiing, and that they are quite stiff.
Let’s take a more in-depth look into the Salomon QST 99 Skis and then you can decide if they are the right ones for you.
Contents
Salomon QST 99 Skis: The Details
In a Nutshell
- Lengths: 167, 174, 181, 188 cm.
- Sidecut: 138/99/120 mm (for 181 cm length).
- Profile: Camber underfoot with rockered tips and tails.
- Turn Radius:4 m (for 181 cm length).
- Level: Advanced Intermediate – Expert.
- Type: All-mountain.
Features
Materials
Spaceframe Woodcore: The wood core allows the ski to be stable and powerful on hardpacked snow while being lightweight and agile.
The Spaceframe Woodcore is a combo of the wood, the Titanal plate underfoot, the ABS sidewalls, and the Koroyd inserts in the tip and tail of each ski.
They all work together to make sure you have the best ride possible with the Salomon QST 99 Skis.
Titanal Power Platform: The power platform is made of Titanal, an aluminum alloy. It provides extra strength to each ski and enough stiffness so that you will never feel wobbly or unstable.
CFX Superfiber: The Superfiber is Salomon’s patented material made of a mixture of carbon and flax fibers (and yes, it is the kind of flax you might eat. Don’t try to eat your skis!).
The carbon fibers help make the ski stiff but still lightweight. By adding in the flax, the ski becomes more stable and quite fast.
It also helps give you a smoother ride, which is kind of one of the main things you want in a pair of skis
Pulse Pad: There are also two rubber pieces on the tip and tail of each ski as well as underfoot. This helps with shock absorption and increases the durability of the skis.
You won’t have such a bumpy ride as you go down the slopes.
Design
All-Terrain 2.0 Rocker Profile: The rocker/camber/rocker profile will help keep you floating on powder and allow you to easily turn on a dime.
Hook Free Taper: There is also the addition of a hook-free taper in the tips and tails of each ski, which stops them from getting caught up in really deep snow. This will also make turning and steering a breeze.
Semi-Twin Tail: The QST 99 also features a slight rise to the tail. This will allow you to have more control of the skis in most conditions.
Full Sandwich Sidewall 360°: The sidewalls extend around the entire length of the ski so they have the most contact with the snow, allowing for less slipping and sliding.
This also gives the ski extra strength and makes it easier to handle different types of terrain.
The Salomon QST 99 Skis also include a two-year warranty.
Salomon QST 99 Skis Review
The Positives
Lightweight but Stable
Some skis tend to run heavier, making you really work for those turns and leaving you much more exhausted at the end of the day.
Lighter skis like the Salomon QST are easier to maneuver, more forgiving and require less power from the skier to perform. And, if you prefer not to haul and lug your skis around all day, a lighter option is for you.
Along with a lighter ski, you can also expect a lot of stability on the Salomon QST 99 Skis.
While the materials and construction make the skis light, the sidewalls and the shape make sure you never feel shaky or insecure while you’re going down the slopes.
Great on Powder
These skis are powder superstars! They work their best in softer snow.
Turning, charging, going fast or slow, these skis are flexible enough that they do just about anything on that light powder, and they will float on top of even the deepest you can find.
Smooth Turns
These skis will also give you an incredibly smooth ride. You don’t have to worry about losing control when you are turning with the QST 99s. You are the one in charge.
Due to the shape and the sidewalls, you don’t have to worry about wiping out when you need to make a sudden turn.
The edge hold on these skis is spectacular. No one wants to go on vacation and have it ruined because they got hurt skiing. These will keep you upright even when you have to make an unexpected turn.
Versatile
Whether you want a charging ski, a ski that will allow you to go fast, a ski that will work on moguls, or just a ski that will work great off-trail, the Salomon QST 99 is the ski for you.
They are a very versatile all-mountain ski and will take you almost anywhere. Especially when you’re off-trail, you want a ski that will get you through anything, and these seem to be up to the task.
They manage on what seems to be all skiing conditions so you won’t have to let less than ideal snow conditions slow you down.
This also ensures that these skis will easily grow with skiers looking to perfect their skills and learn more advanced techniques.
Great for Speedy Skiers
If you’re the type to initiate races down the slope and beat all your friends to the finish line, these skis may be the answer to your needs.
They effortlessly get up to speed and handle high speeds without losing stability. This is thanks to its carefully thought out design, and lightweight, stabilizing materials.
It won’t buckle under the pressure, but instead, will have you flying down the slopes while still retaining its responsiveness so you won’t have to worry too much about wiping out. Speed demons rejoice!
Durable
We mention just how feathery these skis are when it comes to weight, but that doesn’t mean they’re not durable.
You can expect these skis to be with you for many trails to come, as they’re also built to be long-lasting, and stand up to skiers who really push them.
The Salomon QST 99 Skis are built strong, with the ability to take on moguls and rails without falling apart. If you’re looking for a long-term skiing companion that really performs, don’t leave out these skis.
Warranty
When all else fails, a warranty will save you, and with the Salomon QST 99s, you’ll have coverage for two years. This warranty is in place to protect you against any errors in craftsmanship and manufacturing.
Should you find a fault in your skis, you’ll simply contact the company and they’ll be able to handle it from there by replacing or repairing your skis.
They also promise to handle any claims efficiently so you’re not left staring longingly at the trails.
The warranty doesn’t cover damages caused by transportation, wear and tear, modifications or improper use, so be sure to handle your skis with care in order to not void the warranty.
The Negatives
Not for Groomers
Based on feedback from most of the QST 99s’ testers, these are primarily off-trail powder skis.
They don’t really have the edge hold you need for the hard-packed groomers and aren’t able to really cut through the cruddiest of snow and ice.
It doesn’t make the best turns on groomed snow either. If you are mostly an on-trail skier, you are going to want to go with a different option.
Bumpy at High Speeds
Unfortunately, there were also a few users that complained about how bumpy these skis are when you get to a higher speed.
They could feel the vibration through the skis and that never makes for a good experience.
You want your skis to give you a smooth ride no matter how fast you are going, and some testers even described the ride as bouncy (Yikes!).
So, if you are a speed demon on the slopes, the QST 99 might not be for you.
Not for Beginners
These skis are also not for beginners. And intermediate skiers, you should probably pass on these as well.
Based on their performance, many testers stated that these are purely a ski for advanced and expert users.
While these skis are lightweight, you’ll still need to put some power behind these skis to really control them, and to do that, you need to have enough experience.
The confidence that comes with being an expert is needed to really make these skies work to the best of their ability.
Here’s a video showing a first impression of the Salomon QST 99 Skis.
Overall Verdict
After considering all the pros and cons of the Salomon QST 99 Skis, we are recommending them but only for the most advanced skier.
Beginners and intermediates may not be able to put enough power behind these to control them properly. But, if you are an expert skier, you will thoroughly enjoy how lightweight, stable, and versatile they are.
You may want to keep off-trail and on powder, but other than that, the Salomon QST 99 Skis should be able to let you fly down the mountain on your next trip.
>> Read our full guide to the best all mountain skis of 2018
Where to Buy the Salomon QST 99 Skis
The Salomon QST 99 have become bestsellers in their class, with rave reviews from expert skiers and ski enthusiasts.
They’re known to be sold out (especially the 2017s) so if you’ve fallen in love with them, be sure to grab it once you’ve found it.
While it’s always best to check sports and specialty shops, the QST 99 Skis can be found both in-store and online.
To start your search, check out the following online retailers.
But of course, you can also find these skis on Amazon.
That’s all for our Salomon QST 99 review. Tempted to take them for a ride?