This ski is essentially an updated version of the older QST 99, but the changes to its shape and build make it almost a completely different ski overall. The core construction remains pretty much the same. A poplar wood core gets enhanced by Salomon’s C/FX technology, which is a combination of Carbon and Flax Fibers which add power and stability to the ski. For not having any metal, this ski provides an unsuspectingly stable performance on firm snow and links up carves very well on the groomers. The most notable changes in this ski are the increases in tail rocker and early taper in the tip. The additional tail rocker gives the ski a quicker feel in terms of lateral maneuverability and allows for effortless edge release in all conditions. The more pronounced taper in the tip also adds to the overall maneuverability of the ski. Because there is less effective edge on this ski than the previous version, you might think that it would lack some stability, but thanks to Salmon’s Double Sidewall construction, the Dual layer or high-density ABS, adds a lot of stability through the cambered portion of the ski for enhanced performance on groomers. Overall, the QST 98 is just a more versatile and adaptable version of its predecessor and just makes life a lot easier and more fun in a wide range of conditions.