MY THREE FAVORITE SKIS OF 2023 | What Skis Should I Buy?

[@Djacob_]

I used to be addicted to crack but The QST 98 changed my life for the better.

[@mbtravel7294]

I am glad you changed your life! Excited to get my QST

[@Sladep123]

Man, you do a really good job with your evaluations and videos. You pack a lot of very useful information a potential and info-seeking buyer needs to know. Thank you and pls. keep it up!

[@OutOfCollective]

❤️

[@coreyrk]

Salomon QST looks amazing on the snow, specifically at night on a lit hill with the fluorescent translucent sidewalls……it looks like the skis are glowing. It’s a subtle detail, but I think it’s really cool.

[@rotorloamer5329]

Skis amazing, in most conditions. Hard not to recommend it.

[@bulgarianb3ast]

I have the stance 102 they are awesome

[@natbarker2041]

Nice mention of the QST 98. Anthony Lahout put me on a pair last year and I’ve been surprised how fun and snappy they are as a daily driver at Cannon. Stable and with enough edge-hold to deal with the “firm powder” that Cannon is known for. Like you say with a Shift binding they’re not horribly heavy and tour pretty well knowing you could of course go much lighter but here you have the confidence on the down. I think they ski a little bit short for the stated length and if you’re on the cusp I might err long vs short. That said the short radius in the East is pretty great. Skied them in La Grave in late-February in a thin year and we had corn, powder, and hard chalk all at the same time depending on the sun and aspect. Handled each surface fairly well as a great compromise of three skis that would’ve been only ideal in each specific condition. Dare I say a “one ski quiver”.

[@OutOfCollective]

It's such a damn good ski.

[@TARiiiQmusic]

I copped a pair of faction prodigy 3 (106 under) on mega sale. What yall think of this as a 1 ski for all mountain and some park?😊

[@MADHIKER777]

Love my Salomon QLT 92 @184 for rare Eastern "powder" days & Springtime wet mashed potatoes to extend the ski season.

[@jonklass]

Truly 3 absolute fantastic choices. Can't go wrong with either one.

[@grahamphillips2706]

I am with you on your first two. The Ranger 102 and Rustler 10 were my top 2 skis for the 2022 season as well. Amazing versatility for both. I am 6'3" and 215 lbs and to my the QST 98 just didn't measure up. It was actually my second least favorite ski I demoed last year. (I work at a shop in NH and demoed over 40 skis at the Pico and Waterville demo days last year) The QST 98s were just too soft and floppy in my book. For me, the Nordica Enforcer 104 FR and the Armada Declitivity 102ti were much more in the ballpark of the Rustler and Ranger. Stable and strong while still being playful. I am am pretty big boy though so I recognize that I enjoy skis with metal over skis without, and that not everyone likes that.

[@Alexmichaudcounseling]

Just demo'd the Rustler 9 and pulled the trigger on them right away. They were so much fun and were the perfect balance for skiing trees and going dad mode in Colorado. Great review

[@OutOfCollective]

Right on! Thanks for watching.

[@calcon7740]

Finally!!! Not one but 3(!!!) brands making a ski that I could use to ski at my mom's house!

[@carterfan80]

I'm surprised you didn't include the season kin. Seemed like you loved it

[@OutOfCollective]

This is more for the consumer side - me personally ? Ranger and Kin. All day

[@carterfan80]

@@OutOfCollective Waiting to have my kins mounted. Can't wait.!

[@choski76]

3 great picks for sure. I'd love to have any of those skis, and in exactly the order you picked. I've usually picked stiff wr skis for my East Coast skiing but needed more playfulness when out west and these seem perfect.

[@lineskis]

I vote the Blade Optic 104… cause I can 🤣🤣

[@MeanLaQueefa]

The Line Blade, because it’s just plain fun

[@surfmarko]

🤣👍

[@kevinonorato7223]

OST 98 were a demo ski here in California. 30 years on a snowboard, hopped on these to hang with my wife on bunny slopes and had an absolute blast. Last time I skied was in 1991. Super fun. Backwards, sideways, and then I broke off and did some higher speed turns. Did it look like I knew what I was doing? Probably not but they were super fun and seemed to read my mind. Way more fun and playful than the Vokl Katanas that they set me up with. I think they meant well at the demo shop but on the bunny slopes those things just wouldn’t play. They needed to fly. I would totally buy the Solomons. Maybe I should demo more variety but… I’m 52 and will probably board for a few more years but I’m gonna stick my kid on the Solomons and see what he thinks. Thanks for letting me ramble. Ciao!

[@kevinonorato7223]

Also, I’m 6’2” and 250. I think they stuck me on some 180+. Could easily have gone longer.

[@nicholassimpson2290]

Switched from 20 years of boarding myself. Had the chance to ski a few different skis and ended up with a pair of 98’s. These by far gave me the ability to grow into them providing confidence all along the way.

[@choski76]

That demo shop definitely did you wrong on Katanas given you were just transitioning from 30 years of boarding. Shame on them. Sick humor on their part? Good for you for switching em up

[@brianblandford9089]

I saw that you love the Rustler 9 as well. For an advanced skier (UT) splitting time between dad mode with young kids and skiing with friends (so mostly groomers, some side hits and trees) which would be best between Rustler 9 and QST 98? Tried the Rustler 10 and felt it was a little too wide. Thx!

[@OutOfCollective]

qst 98 all day!

[@docar1523]

6'2", 215lbs, been skiing for over 30 years. LOVE the Ranger 102 FR. I have the 2021 model in hot pink. Best mix of control and playfulness/float in my opinion.

[@pault5074]

Which length for someone your size?

[@Kingsturge]

Thoughts on the Atomic bent 90 as an all mountain?

[@emilkarlsson3800]

Rustler 10 is my favorite for a real all mountain ski.

[@jarednelson4272]

@Adam - Great video, really appreciate the comparison and detail. Can you go into more on why the Ranger 102 is your favorite ski? What specifically do you like about it?

[@OutOfCollective]

The stability on firm snow is pretty well unmatched in the category of "partial metal" skis. Especially in this width. Went for laps at Cannon yesterday, on some firmer snow and was thrilled with the edge control. Still playful enough to mix it up too!

[@patatak13]

Your choices really interesting me... I'm looking for a fun freeride ski, and I tested the Rustler. I finally found it a bit too stiff for my ligth weight (64kg), and still "too much" perfectly perfomant on groomers (I already have a Brahma 88 for groomers job). I tested and surprisingly prefered the new women version of the Rustler (Sheeva 2024) which is a lot more soft and lightweight. So easy and dynamic to maneuver in the powder... But maybe a little bit too soft to deal with bad snow conditions. So now I'm thinking about the QST... Can you confirm me that the QST98 would be a good choice for what I m looking for: A little bit softer and more snappy than the Rustler ? With still a lot of energy and pop ?

[@Sokolva]

I’m also light, though lighter than you. Have you looked at Moment skis? Since you are looking for a fun free ride ski, the Wildcats or the Deathwish skis might be exactly what you are looking for. I currently tried several of these skis and ended up on the Deathwishes, women’s version, the Moment Sierra (I am a woman skier) and have seen several lighter men on that version as well. Same ski but has lighter wood construction and comes in shorter lengths.

[@RiseOrRelinquish]

Nice video. I have more of a beginner ski and looking for something more intermediate or advanced. Been skiing now for 5 years. I'm in north east PA. I currently have Solomon xdr 75's. I have my eye on that Solomon qst

[@silverback1518]

Don’t overlook the QST 93. I have it and the QST 99 from 2021. The 93 is extremely versatile.

[@bernardciak]

You are talking about The Blizzard Rustler 10 but there is Rustler 9 on wall right? whats your opinion about this ski

[@OutOfCollective]

Love the 9- honest the R9 & R11 are my preference, but for a one ski quiver the 10 is the best.

[@bernardciak]

@@OutOfCollective ok thanks for opinion, have you ever skied on elan ripstick 88/96 i have a battle between elan and other brand like blizard in my mind

[@sunshinecycling]

I don't know why people pronounce "Blizzard" any other way but the way you did. I heard several people on another channel say that....how did that start? Nice skis. Looking at the Blizzard lines and Ranger skis now.

[@OutOfCollective]

Say it like the storm

[@sunshinecycling]

Interesting. This video was made a few weeks ago, and you said you hoped Blizzard didn't change the Rustlers...and then they announce they changed the Rustlers. I will be curious if you like the new Rustlers as much as the old ones. Question, the Rustler and Ranger in this video are in the same category of discussion...all mountain, do anything, possible one ski quiver. Do you use them the same way, or do find yourself using them in different ways?

[@OutOfCollective]

We'll have a video on these soon. That said, really impressed with the changes.

[@SideSwipePB]

I own the 2024 and been riding them. Really nice improvement.

[@sunshinecycling]

@@SideSwipePB Did you ever ride the last version?

[@SideSwipePB]

@@sunshinecycling yes I rode the 2022, which wasn’t different from the 2023. I actually bought the 2023 but never mounted it and returned it for the 2024.

[@sunshinecycling]

@@SideSwipePB Cool. Nice to hear you think 2024 is an upgrade after liking previous version.

[@CloakFred]

Did fisher improved soles durability in any way ? I had a pair of rangers for 3 years and never spent a week without tearing of a slice of sole even on rocks that would not have not stoped a skateboard wheel. Great carver, good floaters (92mm) but dead bent under foot because of water intake due to sole damage (less than 9 week of use …)

[@TeAsEaR1]

Thanks really profited from the video!

[@jacobsencer7798]

Hi, great video! I’m looking to move out of rentals and into my own pair of skis. I live in the south so I only get 5 ish days a year on snow so I’m looking for a ski that can handle everything. I’m an intermediate skier and I spend around 50% of my time on groomers and the other 50 in trees or bumps. I’m a pretty light person (5’8” 140lb) so I’m worried that I’ll have trouble controlling a wider ski like the rustler 10 or ranger 102. I’ve basically narrowed down to the rustler 9, ranger 96, and qst 98. Do you have an idea on which would be best for me at this point? Thanks!!

[@redbird444]

I just bought the Rustler 9’s and haven’t skied them yet, but optimistic.

[@koenig12]

I've searched all year for a 1 ski , and the Rustler 10 keeps popping up, I'm a goof off, will carve only short distances before finding something to goof off on, getting older so no park or switch. how does the rustler compare to the Line Blade ? 5'7" tall, 165, is 172 best ?

[@OutOfCollective]

line blade is a great groomer ski, but the rustler is much more versatile over all. 172 would be correct!

[@koenig12]

@@OutOfCollective I ended up getting a great deal on the rustler 10!

[@davidbeazer9799]

Different waste widths based on lengths just like boot lasts getting bigger with bigger boots. Also agree on “Blizzard” vs “BlizzARd” based on the fact that they looked up an English word the equated to winter and like the word Blizzard to name the company. They may say BlizzARd over there but it’s just their accent.

[@Valhalla-at-ya-boy]

Duuuude I know obviously you’re a rustler fan but I’m struggling to pick between the rustler 10 or enforcer 104 free for my daily driver. I’m 6’3” 215lbs. Ski aggressive but also like to chill and play all over the mountain. I ski Targhee mostly. Help me out mayne.

[@jancksLC]

Ranger sounds awesome!

[@OutOfCollective]

It is!

[@CreatexColors]

great review, thanks

[@bASICMiner]

I bought the Fischer 102 Ranger ski's... really looking forward to this season! (and a new pair of K2 fattys) I love short skis!!!!!! :)

[@brianhanish6307]

Hey Adam Great video! I have a pair of Rustler 9's in the 180. I was going to buy the 102 maybe next year to add to the quiver. What length would you recommend. I'm 5'11 and 180 pounds. I know there is a little overlap between those two skiis, but at some point I may just pick one and sell the others, or keep em both! Let me know what you think.. or maybe Rustler 10's... Thanks!

[@Steve-yr5vi]

I have the Blizzard 10, I would not tell anyone they are a good 1 quiver ski, they are too wide and to flap happy on packed snow, if there are icy patches they are dangerous. The Blizzard Rustler 10 is at home in 4"+ inches of fresh snow tight turns, steep slopes with powder, off-trail tree work, while they are competent on groomers, watch your speed. My preferred trail for the Rustler 10 would be Breck Mustang. I also ski the Blizzard Bonafide, I will average 10-15 mph faster all day long on the Bonafides and honestly without the data I'd never know it, groomers are exhilarating with the Bonafides, try to match the Bonafide's performance with the Rustler 10 and you'll be lucky to go home upright. My preferred slope for the Bonafide; from the top of peak 7 Break, Sneaky's Snowmass. My view neither the Bonafide nor the Rustler 10 is a 1 quiver ski, having both of them in my ski bag to choose from in the morning is a privilege.

[@youriattali416]

What about the Blizzard Bonafide bro ?

[@OutOfCollective]

Stiffer, and less versatile over all in the bumpy soft stuff, but good ski!

[@rmurphyandco]

My buddy has one of those

[@NPow94]

Hey I’m looking for a ski to ride when I am teaching my 2 year old this coming season.

[@OutOfCollective]

Fischer Ranger 90!

[@terrablader]

Cool logo

[@brentharner9797]

love my rangers they dont care what you ski on

[@jixxxerrr]

QST is a great all around mountain ski. Especially in the bumps.

[@OutOfCollective]

agreed

[@clockradio989]

I was about to type great video and then see that’s the most unoriginal take of my life. Looking to get my hands on the QST for my next ski.

[@konnorkegel9627]

Straight up you lost me in the first sentence 😓

[@finerbiner]

I own the Ranger 102 and I like it. I lost one last year on a powder day at Wolf Creek. Bought a Nordica enforcer 110 used on line to get through the season. It is better in everything but groomed skiing. Do not believe the "metal is for heavy chargers" stuff. I am 58 and weigh 140lb. Also, Fischer should be embarrassed about how easily the top sheet peels away on the Ranger. I hope the improved top sheet is more durable but wow, it was horrible.

[@OutOfCollective]

Ong the new one is so much better. You can take a cheese grater to that thing.

[@h8marxists663]

6’ running 180’s? WTF.