2026 Salomon S/Lab QST Blank

With a wide body but an agile character, the Salomon QST Blank occupies a rare segment of skis in the ~110 mm range. These skis are sturdy, smooth, and powerful yet somehow they feel quick. In addition, for how well they float, it’s impossible to ignore the on-trail and carving capabilities of these skis. With some changes to overall shape and build for 2026, the new Blank gets a bit longer of an arc and a bit lighter of a construction. It’s still quite steady in crud and chop and makes quick work out of powder and deeper snow. While the ski isn’t as much of a twin tip as some other skis in this range, it’s still rockered and bent enough to be used in more of a creative format in both big mountain and backcountry applications.

Constructed with a full poplar wood core, the Blank uses basalt fibers that are interwoven into the fiberglass laminates. This adds both energy and dampness to the construction of the ski. Salomon has increased the length of the cork damplifier layup but has changed the shape to be more horseshoe-like in nature. This allows the basalt fibers to extend further into the tips and tails of the ski while the cork extends into the ski along the edges and sidewalls. In the 186, the Blank sits on the scale at Salomon’s stated weight of 2070 g/ski. It’s not too stiff, nor too flexible—the Blank has a wonderful balance of flex, power, and maneuverability. Tester Bob St.Pierre notes that “There's a bit more zip to this new Blank and I'm here for it! It's such a good, wide ski it's crazy. While the spring snow gives illusions of powder, it's still not the same thing and I get that, but it really did a nice job staying on top of the snow when asked and then cutting down and finding the edge as needed.”

At 112 mm underfoot, this ski is shaped to handle deep and variable snow. It’s a fantastic floater that allows for both bottomless snow as well as softer groomers. It’s stable and smooth enough to find the bottom and get some good edge grip, but it’s also wide and drifty for bigger mountain faces and relatively extreme terrain. The Blank uses measurements of 139/112/128 in the 186 to generate a 19-meter turn radius. This is longer than the Blanks of years gone by, ushering in a new regime of more fall-line oriented skis. Salomon uses 23% tip and 20% tail rocker to make the ski feel playful and bouncy and it works very well as a balanced profile. St.Pierre continues to state that “This works great in deeper snow, but it can handle wide open and tighter spaces with relative ease. It's mobile because it's a good turner, but it's also slashy and drifty when asked.”

This ski will work better on the feet of advanced and expert skiers. The width and weight are substantial enough to make it feel demanding. Those attributes are also big contributors to the Blank’s ability to be used in a very aggressive setting. It’s okay to go long on these skis as well, in order to access that stability and power. It’s fun to let these Blanks run and do their thing in softer snow and in more advanced terrain.