2022 Salomon QST 92

The QST 92 from Salomon is back for 2022 with a snazzy new topsheet graphic, but the same shape and internals. We have no problem with that, however, as it’s a great ski that holds a ton of value and now, with the new shapes of the QST 98 and Blank, it complements the rest of the line even better than before. Differing from the wider QST models, the 92 uses less rocker in the tip and tail. It’s still more than some skis in this category, but as the 2nd narrowest QST ski, it’s not surprising that its shape is geared more towards firm snow than the wider models. It also shares some similarities with the QST 106, as both of those skis have a longer effective edge than either the 98 or Blank. Salomon has some impressive technology inside these skis, and the QST 92 gets all the bells and whistles. A full poplar wood core is supported by Cork Damplifier and Salomon’s C/FX material. Carbon is combined with flax to provide both energy and responsiveness as well as vibration damping and a smoother feel than a lot of carbon skis. They’re not the lightest skis on the market, but at 1850 g in the 177 cm length, they’re also not particularly heavy. With the weight, flex pattern, and shape of the QST 92, you can immediately tell it’s a well-rounded, versatile all-mountain ski.

Bob St.Pierre tested the 177 cm length, which he did note felt too short for him. Bob would prefer the 185 cm length if he were buying a QST 92 for himself. Bob’s lowest score for the QST 92 was for torsional stiffness/edge grip, which isn’t tremendously surprising. At 3 out of 5, that’s also still a decent score, so it’s not like the QST 92 isn’t going to hold an edge at all, just not as well as a ski like the Stance 90 would. His high scores were for quickness/maneuverability and versatility, both earning 5 out of 5 marks. “Even in the shorter 177, I totally see the versatility and well-rounded nature of these skis. I really like the cork and the C/FX material for damping purposes, it makes the shorter ski feel like it has more strength and power, while keeping the maneuverability at a very high level. It fits right up there with the other low to mid-90's all-mountain skis in terms of being a totally intuitive ski that can do it all. That said, other than the versatility, it doesn't particularly excel in any one area, but that's kind of the point I guess. I feel like if you are an intermediate to advanced skier who is looking for an all-mountain ski but is totally lost in the selection process and has no idea what to get, you could buy the QST 92 sight unseen and ski it happily for years and never think about it again.” We love that idea, and think that’s actually a very valuable characteristic. Not everyone is lucky enough to have access to demos and while we design this test to make it as easy as possible, sometimes it’s still hard to determine what’s right for you. The QST 92 is the type of ski you can buy while feeling confident it will perform anywhere you take it.

Dave Carter skied the same 177 cm length and thought it worked well for his size. Flotation, quickness/maneuverability, forgiveness, and overall impression were his highest scores at 4 out of 5. The rest of our criteria earned solid 3 out of 5 scores, indicating a well-rounded ski and supporting Bob’s assessment. “A good all-mountain ski for a variety conditions best suited to diversified terrain, more than firm groomers. Fairly forgiving ski, so good for a weekend skier.” We love both of those thoughts. The QST 92 is an excellent choice for an adventurous skier who doesn’t just stick to groomers. Its shape loves going off trail. We also agree that it would be an excellent choice for a weekend skier. Well rounded, not too demanding, so you can ski anything the mountain offers without it tiring you out. Jeff Neagle also skied the 177 cm length. “The QST 92 is one of those skis that’s really, really good, but just doesn’t receive the same attention from Salomon’s marketing department, so you don’t hear about it a lot. I feel pretty confident that there are more skiers in the world who should choose this over a wider ski like the QST 98. It’s still really good in a variety of conditions, but more approachable and better on groomers. There are a lot of intermediate to advanced level resort skiers out there and the QST 92 feels perfect for that customer.”

While the QST 92 isn’t the widest, nor the most powerful, it’s certainly one of the most versatile skis you’ll encounter in this ski test. It can carve turns on groomers, it can play through moguls and trees, and it can handle some softer snow conditions too. It doesn’t feel too challenging to ski, but it also has high-level construction that will still feel supportive as you start to ski faster and more aggressively. It’s a shame that skis like this often get overlooked because the reality is, the QST 92 would be a great ski for a lot of skiers.