2026 Salomon QST 100 Skis Review

The Lowdown

The 2026 Salomon QST 100 is a brand new ski for the fourth generation of the QST line. Simplicity is the name of the game for the 2026 QSTs, which feature a more streamlined set of the most essential widths - 92, 94, 100, 106, and 112 (QST Blanks). This meant turning the already playful and versatile QST 98 into a true quiver-killer with a 100mm waist and a little more tip and tail rocker to keep your ride floaty and fun all over the mountain.

In their quest for simplicity, Salomon also cut their gendered lines and produced two unisex skis for each width in the QST Collection. Though Salomon has never held back on the construction of their women’s skis, skiers can now choose between two genderless topsheet options for the QST 100 in sizes ranging from 148cm to 188cm.

Ride Impressions

Danielle
We tested the QST 100s in Arolla, Switzerland, at a quaint mountain resort with very little snow. I rode the 172cm size with demo bindings, which for me — at 5'9" and 130lbs — fell perfectly into my preferred size range of 172cm to 174cm.

We were thrown into socked-in, flat light runs right off the bat. I ski pretty conservatively when the conditions are bad so the first day mostly consisted of cruisy corduroy laps. The QST 100s can ski like this, with beginner skid turns and family-friendly speeds, but it doesn’t necessarily want to.  

When the sun finally - finally - breached the clouds on our final morning, I was able to let the QST 100s loose. The QST 100s are bursting with energy thanks to the poplar core and basalt laminate and it comes alive at higher speeds. I noticed the power in this ski once I got it on edge and it bursts into transitions thanks to the camber underfoot. I prefer a slightly wider ski as a daily driver and the 100mm waist provided a solid platform for long arcs down the groomers and quick turns in the trees. I do think it’s important to note that it is still a relatively playful ski with shorter contact points and very demanding skiers may not find it chargey enough.

I also had the chance to take the QST 100s out again on a sunny weekday at Snowbird and caught the chunder-y remnants of the prior weekend’s storm. The skis absorbed the bumps relatively well, but my achilles ached at the end of the day from the impacts. Given the 16.5m turn radius and relatively light weight at 1,780g, it’s not the ski for blowing through every bump in your path. But for a 100mm ski, the extra rocker up front allowed it to float pretty effortlessly through the bits of untracked snow I found and it popped off smaller kickers with ease.

Overall, there wasn't really anything I disliked about the new QST 100. They hold a lot of energy but that's a tempered by the shorter contact points that keep it easy to ski. They're not so rockered as to be surfy but rather find a middle ground between demanding, flat-tale chargers and soft freestyle planks. In the realm of quiver-killer skis, the QST 100s make a very strong case.

David
I tested the Salomon QST 100 in the 180cm length, which felt about right for me at 5’10 and 155lb. While some may consider sizing up to the 188cm length for improved high speed stability, the shorter size did not feel like an impediment to my skiing style. 

From the first turn, it’s clear that the QST 100 is an energetic, approachable ski with a huge sweet spot. The poplar core and basalt laminate construction creates a lively, responsive feel that really comes alive at speed, and there's plenty of power on tap when you lay the ski over. The camber profile provides snappy, energetic transitions with solid edge control and a confident, controlled feel through the turn. As expected, the 100mm waist width is perfect for all mountain riding across varied terrain. This ski has no problem switching up from groomers to bumps to powder and back again, all in the space of a few turns.

Salomon has honed in on improving maneuverability with this generation of QST, and this new QST 100 definitely feels more nimble than the QST 98 it replaces. There’s more tail rocker to play with, and the shorter contact points make the ski noticeably easier to pivot and whip around in tight spaces. In the trees, the QST 100 demonstrates impressive agility for its width, responding quickly to skier input without feeling twitchy.

The QST 100 isn't trying to be the most aggressive ski in its category, so the most hard charging skiers may find the speed limit. While it generally handles high speeds well, it does lack the very top-end stability and grip you find in more traditional skis. The increased tail rocker and shorter contact points may also cause some skiers to feel like they need more ski underneath them. In my opinion, those concerns will only apply to a certain type of skier, and there are simply better options out there for those full gas use cases. For the rest of us, the QST 100 offers a solid blend of playfulness, composure, and all mountain versatility.

I think Salomon has done a great job in balancing a more youthful direction with QST’s core all-mountain audience. The QST 100 feels purposefully designed – playful when you want it, serious when you need it. Sign me up!

Who Are They For?

The Salomon team believes that most skiers should be on the QST 100s and that’s a pretty fair statement. As much as we all want the sexiest freeride powder skis, the reality is that most of us are skiing weekend chunder, moguls, trees, and groomers. If you have the budget, by all means grab a bonus pair of S/Lab QST Blanks for serious storms, but the QST 100 is going to do exactly what you want it to in the conditions most of us are skiing. They’re playful on kickers, energetic on groomers, quick in the trees, and will please any intermediate to advanced skier who wants to go fast but also have the ability to ride switch and have a bit more fun.