The 2024 Salomon QST 92 returns unchanged structurally for this year, but gets a graphics refresh that should help it attract new fans and followers. The only shame here is that the base graphics do not extend the full length of the ski like they do in the wider QST models. While we don’t think this is enough of a reason for skiers to shy away from this amazing 92, it is just a bit of a downer especially when compared to the other ski base graphics in the line. That said, it’s still one of the most complete and comprehensive skis on planet earth. The scope of versatility that this ski accomplishes is nothing short of astonishing. It’s one of the most natural and innate skis out there, and what it lacks in ultimate power or feather-weight lightness, it more than makes up for in well-roundedness.

Featuring the same construction from 2023, the QST 92 features a full poplar wood core to do the heavy lifting in terms of blending energy and balance. Salomon uses a double sidewall technology to add to the carving power of the ski by bolstering the underfoot zone with a stiffer and denser sidewall material. It’s basically like adding a race plate in the mid-section of the ski, dramatically increasing edge grip and torsional stiffness. In addition, the QST 92 uses their C/FX material in order to boost the flex and energy from the ski. These carbon and flax fibers do a lot of the work when it comes to snapping the ski out of one turn and directly into the next. It’s easy to feel when you load up the QST with your energy, even though it doesn’t require a whole lot of effort on the skier’s part. In the 176, the ski tips the scale at 1820 grams, so while it’s not terribly light on the scale, the shape and profile make it a lot more maneuverable than the grams may indicate.

Built with 18% rocker in the tip and 12% rocker in the tail, this ski is a bit lower than what we see in the wider skis of the line, putting more of an all-mountain personality on the ski rather than a deeply-rockered freeride shape. Given the longer camber length, it’s impressive that they are able to get a 15-meter turn radius out of that 176.It’s incredibly snappy and energetic as a result, offering fantastic edge grip for both the width and the lack of metal. The fact that it allows skiers to make a multitude of turn shapes and styles because it’s so manageable is just an absolute bonus. It’s neither hooky nor catchy, mainly because the flex allows for proper articulation through the tips and tails. That said, initiation is prompt, and completion is swift.

There’s an absolutely enormous range of skier and skier type that accompanies this ski. While it’s still on the heavy and wide side for beginners, it’s not out of the realm to be appropriate for an early intermediate who still spends a lot of time on greens and more mellow terrain. Additionally, if you’re more seasoned of a skier but don’t want to work too hard to access the performance of a ski, this one is right there with the best of them. It’s kind of a chameleon in that regard—what you put into it is what you’ll get out, and the range in which the ski is able to do this is nothing short of remarkable.