Answering the call for a lighter weight version of the omni-popular QST 106, the Echo steps right in line. This has been a trend in the ski industry over the past few years, and now Salomon is taking a cue and jumping into the fray. Skis like Nordica Enforcer Unlimited and Blizzard Hustle have taken the existing shapes and profiles of their most popular freeride skis and have lightened the load, aiming for more of a 50/50 crowd in terms of touring and resort skiing. Generally, these skis have been on the heavy side for touring only, but it seems like their general goal is to make it lighter than the existing/parallel model. In the Echo 106, we’re using the QST 106 as the footprint, and a lot of similar construction from Salomon’s line, but with a different overall character. This ski is more aligned with putting a touring or hybrid binding on it and using it primarily as an uphill setup, but we wouldn’t fault you at all for going straight alpine either and using this as a resort-specific ski. Basically, they’re opening up the QST 106 to a wider audience with the Echo, specifically those skiers who felt the regular 106 was on the heavy and lumbering side.

While we like that general character of the 106, it was great to see how Salomon put their own creative spin on the Echo’s light(er) weight build. There are still alpine-specific skis in this width range that are lighter than this ski, so it’s not like it’s a feather or anything like that. Still tipping the scale at 1760 grams per ski in the 181 cm length, it drops 220 grams from the QST 106’s 1980 g/ski weight. That’s about an 11% decrease in weight, which isn’t going to turn this ski into a skimo machine, but it’s definitely enough to put a dent into that number. The big thing here is the use of a karuba and poplar wood core with basalt fibers. We still see cork damplifier in the tips and tails and double sidewall technology, but those sidewalls are 100% recycled so we’re adding an eco-friendly and sustainable story to the mix. While the basalt does a great job at keeping things light and responsive in the ski, the karuba is the element that makes the biggest difference.

From a shape and profile perspective, the Echo 106 shares the same mold and footprint as the QST 106, so skiers who have known and loved that shape in the past will have no surprises here. Skiers who are unfamiliar will gravitate to this ski’s profile because it’s pretty long and low and not quite as dramatic as the QST 98 or the Blank, allowing skiers to put their own creativity into the ski. With a 19-meter turn radius in the 181, it’s a bit straighter of a shooter, but with the weight and flex, skiers should have no problem meeting and exceeding that arc if the desire arises. This is a bit longer of a cut, and it makes sense as the QST 106 is more athlete inspired. Salomon calls the profile a 25% tip and 17% tail rocker, which is super-smooth and easy to use. While not as turny or drifty as the more rockered skis in the QST line, it’s still got its own personality, and there’s a lot to like about this philosophy.

The Salomon QST Echo 106 is the latest iteration of touring-inspired freeride skis, and Salomon has taken a winning footprint and lightened the load accordingly. Skiers who have shied away from the QST 106 in the past because of the weight or the stiffness should definitely take a square look at the Echo, as it solves those potential holdbacks in a very efficient manner. It’s as simple as adding lighter wood to the core and relying on basalt fibers, and you’re opening up this wonderful shape to a whole new group of skiers, whether they tour exclusively, half the time, or not at all.