This Ski Has ONE MAJOR FLAW

Elliott Talks about the Downsides and Strengths of the 2024 Salomon QST 98, and Reacts to Ski Essentials Review of Salomon's Most Popular All Mountain Ski

[@AMightyWyn]

I personally love the comparison videos that SE makes, because that is where they tend to dive more into what the skis do well and what they don't. The Mid 110s video they released last week was super informative!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Oh awesome I will have to check it out!

[@markweber4678]

I recently found your channel and have enjoyed hearing your commentary. Adding a broader perspective to other reviews (which includes the negatives) based on your experience with the gear is both interesting and helpful! Thanks! 👍 I haven’t been on any of the QSTs in a few years, but I felt like your comments were ‘on point’ based on my past experience… there’s a reason the QSTs have been a staple of Salomon’s lineup for so long. Now I kind of want to try out the new generation QST 98s! Can’t wait for ski season! (For what it’s worth, I find the construction/build details in the SkiEssential reviews interesting, even though some of it is marketing hype. But that’s the ‘gear geek’ in me.)

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks so much! I do like it, I just can only watch it for so long. Probably doesn't help that I'm going through all of the content. Lol. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@billfinke1510]

Another great review! Thanks Elliot!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks Bill!

[@jig801]

I not a normal skier. I skied a QST 99 for years I really thought it was a awesome ski, lots of float for me, just all around a fun ski. Two weeks ago, I decided to buy a new set of skis. I rented the QST 98. I thought it was an awesome ski, great on the groomers. Then I rented your favorite ski the Bent Chetler 100, I just fell in love with the Bent Chetler, fun and playful. I bought the Bent Cheltler 100, and mounted the binding at -1, and it made the Bent that much better for me. The bents are chattery on less-than-ideal conditions. Any time I ski a ski with any "T" I feel its heavy and I feel stuck to the snow. I know opposite what most skiers look for.

[@scottpratico1315]

I love the skis you focus on. 88 to 100mm skis are versatile, stable, quick enough and with enough float to ski soft snow well. The fact that there's a dozen great skis with good pricing in the all mtn segment proves how the industry is much improved in delivering value since the bad old days of straight skis. Kastle RX, Blizzard Thermo, Dynastar Course with the red bubble on the tips. A sad time for ski consumers.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah It's totally a golden age of skis. And they really punch out side of their weight classes! Thanks for the nice comment.

[@AW33COM]

Ski Essentials got this review correct. This radius/weight/shape/width is the sweet spot for athletes, powder skiers, tree skiers, soft snow, hiking, etc. This ski is no revolution. The ski was "stolen" from DPS Wailers 99 T2 Hybrids, which was stolen from Ross Souls. That front rocker, shape is what make the ski float without having 107 at the foot. The "weakness" you talk about is not really a weakness. 16 radius turn and shape of that front is what makes is impossible to force those narrow turns you talked about. This is a Freeride ski that works everywhere for people who don't like hard pack. It will never get better than this, this ski type was invented in 2015 (Rossignol and DPS) and nothing will beat it.

[@aaronmueller1560]

Good supplemental video here! I think you’re absolutely right on Ski Essential’s editing, they could use more relevant clips for the things they talk about, sometimes a lot of it is just showy clips. But I also know how hard it is to line up clips well, especially when you have to get everything relevant ahead of time, so I don’t fault them much for that. Though I do wonder why they didn’t use some of last year’s footage where they got to test this ski (and other Salomon skis) in some powder out in Alta, there were some great clips of the flotation there. I know it’s a new year’s model, but it’s still useful to see and they will sometimes include it with a note that it’s on a previous year’s ski so idk why they didn’t for this. As a frequent viewer of Ski Essentials, I find these videos of theirs to be less useful. They really shine in their long-form ski reviews, with a close second being their comparison vids. In the long form reviews they tend to include more footage, break things up into clear sections (ski build, performance on groomers, off-piste, park, additional notes, etc) so you can skip around to thing you are most interested in if you don’t want it all, and they frequently have comparisons to other skis and possible downsides or what types of skiers it works best for. In fact I think pretty much every additional piece of info you added or demonstration/talking point you asked for was in their long review of the QST 98 from last year! Appreciate your input and willingness to cover what other reviewers say to give your own perspective, it’s rare to see in the ski review community and may be much needed.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Thanks so much for your nice comment!

[@chrisgravel7157]

Ski Essentials added Emily to their crew and its great because most women and a large portion of us guys dont want 8 of 10 minutes talking about 'tech' and Jeff and Bob trying to tell us about how it effects the ski. They should read a few of Dawgcatachings write ups from 10 or so yrs ago so they can appreciate truly high caliber review and illiteration. Apprecite your second opinion on their reviews and key skis in the all mtn segment

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Right on, thanks for the recommendation Chris!

[@NigelCowan-jb6nk]

How would you compare this ski to the Rustler 10. I'm looking for a all mountain ski with a greater emphasis on powder hunting in side country. Thx

[@edking4226]

I bought this ski the other day after an amazing demo session earlier in the week. I run the Enforcer 100 (Sorry Elliot) and actually love them but I feel my age demands a slower ski through trees as the enforcer just likes to "go". I demo'd the Nordica Unleashed 98 and it felt like a baby brother to the Enforcer. Easier turning but more chattery in the softer chunkier snow that day. Great ski otherwise. The QST98 just blew the Unleashed out of the water in those conditions. It surfed over everything and even on the sticky stuff that caused the Unleashed to "grab" it gently slowed which was a "shut up and take my money" feature. Back to your topic. I did find it's other weakness yesterday...not that it's a true "weakness" but at Mt Bachelor where we get a bit of windswept days / areas on the mountain we get "dust on crust". Going from soft powdery new snow on one turn to crust / hardpack on another it tends to skid where the Enforcer just go's "what crust" and just holds that edge. I did have a few "whoa" moments in the few turns... but I just learned to be a little more careful and otherwise just adapted. Where I live the Enforcer would be a perfect early AM spring ski and the QST the mid day monster. I didn't see the double turn aspect but I may find it but this ski feels like completely new technology as it's so "automatic" in stability and ease of turning it just blew my mind. Even with 45 years of skiing I think this will make me a better skier.

[@alexkuiper1096]

Really interesting - thanks! I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the QST106 once it starts snowing. I skied on the previous version of the 106 for a couple of weeks last winter and loved them. I want to try some 98s too now! I completely agree with what you say that the QSTs seem to have some kind of magic that makes them more versatile than they should be.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Totally, I need to get my 106's mounted soon before the winter rush!

[@jonklass]

The 106 is my favorite ski of all time. Awesome ski. Fun, versatile yet feels a little stiffer than the 98

[@morgananderson9647]

Good video. Thanks! ??? - Would like to know your thoughts on the Salomon Stance 96. As a former racer from the Seattle PNW, and now instructing, what's your take on the Stance being an all mountain ski? Guess w/ that background, I always want to be able to lock down an edge. Also skiing an Salomon S/max pro 130 boot. Best regards, M-

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I've only skied the Stance's once before at the Alps. But it was late season, and I was really just there taking in the views with demo boots, not really focused much on the skis. I did like them fine for carving, but I don't have enough info to give you an in-depth review. Hoping to get more info this winter. Sorry not much info, but didn't notice any glaring issues either. Thanks for watching!

[@OhDearBabajan]

cant decide: this or elan 96/106 black edition as my 1 ski quiver

[@andrewsteward7830]

@RicketySkiReviews I'm not sure exactly what you mean by steep narrow corridors. It sounds like you're talking about narrow steep groomer corridors? What about tight steep extreme chutes? I ski a lot of those at places like Taos, CB, A Basin. I need to be able to do quick short turns in chutes. I've skied Head Kore 99's for years and want something similar but more playful in the moguls. Do you think the Salomon QST 98's would be a good choice? Thx

[@RicketySkiReviews]

steep pitch, narrow in width, on groomed runs. Not talking about chutes in this video.

[@arcticx7505]

Would you recommend mounting bindings on the recommend line or a bit forward on the qst92's?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I do recommended, but that's just me

[@jehjay2600]

you missed their other review where they took out the QST-98 and QST Blank out on a powder last year -- so they got to test it out on a powder day... Also took out the 92 and 98 and 106 in Alta 2 yaers ago?? Yes, I've been looking at reviews of thses skis because IFF I decide to ski next year, I might give myself an early birthday present...

[@neilchamberland8895]

Honestly can’t go wrong with the QST line. When SE and other ski reviewers/sellers say that if someone doesn’t know what to buy - to just buy the QST 92 or 98. Its the truth. I’ve skied the 92 for the past three season and absolutely loved it. Great ski to progress on. I just got the 106 for my east coast powder/west coast daily driver and had a chance to test it in park city for a week. What a ski, literally does all I need off piste to the highest degree and carving performance isn’t bad at all. Salomon is making great skis right now, just hope their quality matches. I’ve no quality issues with my 92s but I know other people who have.

[@dave9668]

You’re making me feel even better about buying last year’s model of the 98 last week. Can’t wait to try them out in Nagano. It’s just a shame that I’ll have to wait till mid December since the snow comes so late here.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I'll have to check that out! Thanks for the recommendation! Happy Early Birthday! I just treated myself to an early birthday while the Ski Boots are still cheap! Cheers from Idaho! Thanks for watching.

[@nilsheineke5298]

How does the Salomon QST98 compare to the Dynastar M-Free 99? Or should you rather compare them to the Dynastar M-Pro 99?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Would love to ski the dynasties, but they don't answer my emails and have had a hard time finding them locally. Will keep trying.

[@palooza90210]

Would love to try these as an alternative to my Bent 100's

[@RicketySkiReviews]

They're definitely worth trying, imo these QST's carve better than the bent, but I'm not sure how they compare in the park if that's your thing.

[@dmiroy]

Sorry for a question to an "older" (LOL) video but can you contrast for me how a narrow corridor would be different from skiing in the trees? Both require tight, quick turns although one is groomed (possibly?) vs. pow or half bumps around trees after being skied a bit... Appreciate your wisdom and experience. 👏 And to your point about the negatives of the ski and that you'll be "stuck with it" for awhile, I'm still skiing on 2009 Volkl Mantras which are becoming heavy slabs for my aging body. LOVE the your channel. Cheers! 🍺

[@RicketySkiReviews]

yeah it's not too different, other than the weird banking you get on corridors, like if you've skied Tuckermans, or any brook beds out west, there can be rockwall that creates a weird slant that makes it so you get less room to turn than you expect and hard stopping for trying to shed speed, where as tree turns are tight, but you can usually shed speed by coming across the hill, trying to remember the exact context, but hope that helped clarify.

[@dmiroy]

That makes sense, gotcha. THanks! @@RicketySkiReviews

[@chrisgravel7157]

Question for you have you skied a Head Kore 93/99 or 105? I picked up the 99 and its geometry is quite spectacular but I think Head went overboard on tech and trying to get away from traditional metal laminate construction. Its great in so many ways but lacks the consistency in snow feel, and dampness that was magic in the Monsters. Now I'm trying to find something between the Kore a Monster/enforcer for between snow days. I want strong frontside performance but also good in crud, trees and off piste. Any suggestions?

[@_e5598]

The Kore line is AWESOME for ex racers. Tons of power in the shape (specifically the tail) and the float like a dream thanks to the weight.

[@darinsmith2458]

I demoed the 99 and it was great on the groomers but I have a groomer ski.. Just like my groomer ski it got stuck in the crud.. The difference with the 99 was that it was also reactive in the crud.. I heard the 93 is even better on the groomers and I heard the 105 is even more damp so it should go through the crud better than the 99..

[@chrisgravel7157]

Thx man I tend to agree. I've had some of my best days and worst days on the 99. Best - mix firm groomers or mid soft bumps, trees or worst - deeper windblown, refreeze conditions, surprisingly not that great in spring corn. In a 100mm ski I kinda want good to great in most conditions with deep pow and ice being exceptions. The Kore has more exceptions than past Kastle MX99 did and not even close to FX106 for versitility. @@darinsmith2458

[@RicketySkiReviews]

For a kind of heavy crud-cutter ski I would say the Volkl M6 Mantra, K2 Mindbender 99ti, and even the Fischer Ranger 90 Would all be really nice options: You can see my reviews here Volkl: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4DUfoJ7oa56q8Usi=xT33xb96QDyqY4EM K2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmbHg4Nte9majaMsi=E7Y6jK-0HktFhh_e Fischer (sorry this one is old and a bit rough): kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6vIn6iPprJpgqcsi=tyI1dy-hBxr0qhGf

[@honuman39]

I grew up skiing the east. There's very little good snow. Pretty much any day where there's no ice is a good day never mind the quality of the snow.

[@williamskify]

Could you explain the difference between the 92 & 98? I demo’d the 92 really liked it in the bumps and was pretty decent on groomers just couldn’t rip fast of groomers. Thanks, really appreciate your knowledge and reviews.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

This should help a bit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6LCiax4nstqitEsi=Kx0TCe76Cu7-xP2O

[@deeric7115]

How would you compare this ski to my 10year old Salomon BBR 10.0? Is it worth the change to the new one?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Not familiar enough with the BBR to give a comparison, but I think it's a very different ski, and at the very least worth trying out if you get a chance! Very distinct new shape.

[@neilchamberland8895]

@Rickety It’d be interesting to make a channel talking about the negatives of skis since it seems like no one else is doing that. Maybe blister but still.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah honesty is the policy here! Definitely don't always have happy campers when I talk about people's skis, but better to know downsides than not at all in my opinion. thanks for watching!

[@user-nr9gh8zv3h]

Can you compare and contrast the qst98 to the new Rustler 9?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yeah I will try to in the future, still need to get on the Rustler 9, they change them frequently so skiing last years isn't viable, so need to rent them from somewhere.

[@carterfan80]

I skied the q s t s many days on the east coast. I don't care how hard you push down on that down hill foot,.... it's going to chatter. Q s t is not a great firm snow ski. It does carve but not great when it's hard pack. You have to be pretty slow and deliberate with the turns to get it to bite enough. For a soft snow ski it's solid carver, But it's really not a good carver.... At least not for new york and southern vermont. 😂 I just traded mine in for Volkl blaze ninety four. It has a little bit of metal underfoot. I work part time at a shop. The Volkl sales reps all gravitate to the Blaze series. They are highly recommended it to me. I'm gonna give it a try. It's replacing the q s t as my east coast soft snow ski. I am hoping to get a little more carving performance. Also I wanted something a bit lighter. Even though the blaze has metal it's quite a bit lighter. But let me be clear it's an excellent soft snow ski. I've recommended it to a few people. And it's a tremendous value. I'm hoping I don't regret selling it!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I actually agree with this deeply! I have said in previous comments, if I was headed back east to see family and ski, I would leave my Qst 106's behind and take my Mavericks instead. That being said I think spring skiing or something mild would be fine with the Qst 98 or 92, but I wouldn't want them out on Jay in January. Goodluck with the Volkl Blaze! I'm hoping to review a set this coming winter!

[@carterfan80]

@@RicketySkiReviews Maverick is a superb east coast all mountain ski. Loved the 95 last year

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

Another good choice would have been the new redesign Blizzard Rustler 9 to replace your QST.

[@carterfan80]

@thomasmedeiros5722 im DEffinitely very interested in that new rustler. But I think i'm looking for something a little softer. A little more specific for soft snow. I have an eighty five millimeter all mountain kastle for my true all-mountain ski. Maybe i'm wrong but I think the rustler Leans a little bit more towards all mountain then soft snow specific.

[@jackbarnhart7394]

5:57, man‘s lost it! Putting the bent and the mindbender in the same carving category!!!

[@jackbarnhart7394]

I know you meant to say Maverick but I’m chuckling nonetheless!

[@RicketySkiReviews]

omg I did! Good catch! Yes meant to say the Maverick lol

[@user-fy2me2td4p]

You know there is good video of Bob and Jeff skiing the QST 92 and 106 in deeper snow at Alta: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJerY56Cabahl68. i.e: They know how the QST's handle in deeper snow.

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Great, thank you for sharing! I had not seen this prior.

[@unknowablerootvegetable]

So they made the pronunciation change!! Blizzard now, not Bliz zard lol

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Yes, but I refuse to change for their marketing department!

[@zachtackski]

I want them so bad

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Now's a good time price-wise to get those '23s

[@davidtreichelpppj5304]

I see a SKIER dragging his Knuckles .... Maybe I'll quit snowboarding ... Not

[@RicketySkiReviews]

I Snowboarded for 4 years (and loved it) the amount of times I got heckled and called a "knuckled dragger" and now everyone does it in skiing, lol, not impressed.

[@dag7788]

It is strange how you give reviews on different skis, many of your reviews we dont see you skiing i your videos so not sure how objective you are?

[@RicketySkiReviews]

If you scroll down, you can see me ski in my reviews. I just put out reviews with me skiing back in June, these react videos are just because it's not winter. Here's me skiing at Mt Hood a few months ago (even baked in the time codes for you): K2 Mindbender 99 TI: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmbHg4Nte9majaMsi=rwINgw7V76Qfe9QI&t=81 Atomic Maverick 100ti: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJvXhH-qo850mKMsi=BdPCubYkEZAmWEFS&t=245 Thanks for watching!

[@alexcheney6692]

I hated this ski. It's essentially a power camber profile in a 98mm ski. The blank is more fun

[@RicketySkiReviews]

Interesting, I'll try and see if I can get some blanks to compare.

[@alexcheney6692]

Sorry meant to say powder not power. Yeah the blank also has a 15m radius.

[@harleygraham3695]

Do they ski .one or short ,im on xdr 179?this is wider, can I go at 176

[@RicketySkiReviews]

How tall are you?

[@SkiingQuinHat]

My experience is they ski very short