Review: 2027 Salomon QST 100

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Ski companies like to throw around the phrase “all-mountain skis” a whole bunch, but with so many skis on the market in the category now, it feels like the term has gotten a bit diluted. In an ideal world, an all-mountain ski would carve well on hardpack, bust through re-frozen crud and skied-off powder, float just enough in soft snow, tear up chalk, and still be fun popping off sidehits or natural features. This combination exists, but rarely, and often these skis make compromises in one realm or another, which begs the title of being a true all-mountain ski. However, the Salomon QST 100 is maybe the ski that comes closest to hitting that true middle mark.

Introduced in 2026, the QST 100 remains largely unchanged for 2027 and is one of the most approachable yet functional, and most importantly, fun skis on the market. A true daily driver ski, you’d be hard pressed to find a skier who didn’t get along with the QST 100, let alone love it. Although it’s the second-narrowest in Salomon’s QST line, the QST 100 holds its place nicely as a category leader for firm-snow oriented freeride skis.

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2027 Salomon QST 100 Specs

• Size skied: 172cm, 180cm, 188cm
• Lengths available: 148cm, 156cm, 164cm, 172cm, 180cm, 188cm
• Sidecut: 130mm – 100mm – 118mm
• Radius: 17.5m (180cm)
• Profile: directional rocker/camber/rocker 
• Weight: 1880g (180cm)

Shape, Flex, Construction

Salomon’s QST line has evolved greatly over the past decade. When they were first released, they fell much more onto the aggressive and stiff end of the spectrum that catered to more aggressive skiers. Fast forward to today, and Salomon has yet again finessed the line’s construction offer a soft, forgiving, and very round flex that somehow also provides a powerful and remarkably damp ride.

Inside, there’s a poplar wood core (lively and responsive), mixed with two existing hallmarks of the QST line: full-length basalt stringers and the cork “damplifier” that’s expressly designed to absolutely delete vibrations in the front half of the ski. This tech is found across the entire QST line (including the QST Blank, QST 106, and others)

From a shape standpoint, this 100mm waisted ski features a short turn radius mixed with a ton of tip and tail taper (to form a short but grippy effective edge). There’s quite a bit of tip and tail rocker for this narrow of a ski, indicating its freeride and even freestyle influence. The ski has a size specific radius as well, shortening with ski length, which only helps with its approachability. 

Last year, instead of offering a separate men’s and women’s ski, Salomon offered the QST 100 in two colors: Cosmic Sky (blue) and Iceberg Green (green, shockingly). This year, the QST 100 Black takes the place of the green ones, with green accents that show off the ski’s Basalt elements. After all, black looks good on everyone.

On Snow Performance

As the second-narrowest ski in Salomon’s QST line (just ahead of the QST 94), the QST 100 is best paired with firmer conditions at the resort, both on and off piste. This is one of the most confidence-inspiring skis for firm conditions, no matter the terrain, be it morning groomers, afternoon bumps, or (more than anything) chalky alpine steeps that require quick, finesse-y skiing. 

On groomers, the soft flex allows you to lean the QST 100 over and really power the ski into a turn before the edge grip kicks in and allows you to carry speed through carves without the ski feeling like it wants to escape you. There’s plenty of hardpack skis out there that strong, experienced skiers can harness, but the QST 100 makes carving not just easy, but incredibly fun. 

Off-piste, the soft flex, paired with damping properties of the basalt stringers and cork inserts, allows the ski to track through chop and skied-off snow better than most. The edges absolutely will not skitter across unexpected firm patches, instead holding steady like a car with traction control. While it holds up at speed, the QST also encourages skiers to keep it fun. “This ski wants to find side hits all over the mountain,” said one tester. 

Where the ski might fall short is at the top end of the performance envelope. If you’re looking for a ski to straightline groomers, ski as fast as possible, and just all-out charge all the time, the Salomon QST 100 might fall short compared to stiffer, burlier options. Testers found that at super high speeds, the tips and tails tended to chatter a bit, but the skis responsiveness tended to make up for that. 

One tester described it as: “A ski that can handle a wild ride. It holds its own on edge but really feels meant to find playful hits, little jumps and bumps!” 

Comparisons

There are a few directional freestyle-inspired all-mountain skis out for 2026, but the Salomon QST 100 is perhaps one of the most unique. 

The QST 100 is significantly softer and much more playful than the Völkl Revolt 101, but offers similar high-speed stability. I think it’s an easier ski to rip bumps and soft chalk on, but the Revolt 101 offers better performance for really high speed skiing. 

For the park rats out there, the QST 100 could be considered a more “serious” version of the Salomon Depart, built more for hardpack skiing than sliding around in all directions in the park, but still retains the poppy, soft and playful character.

Finally, compared to the Rossignol Sender Free 100, another surprisingly approachable and versatile 100mm waisted all-mountain ski, the QST 100 offers a more surfy, directional shape. I’d argue it’s also even easier to hop aboard and love for beginner and intermediate skiers.

What type of skier is the Salomon QST 100 best for?

For a few years running, Salomon’s QST skis have been among the best-selling skis in North America, and for good reason. They cater to a vast spectrum of skier types, from high-level freeriders to parents looking to get out for a few laps with their kids. The new QST 100 brings that same versatility, easygoing yet confidence-inspiring character, and extremely fun shape into a package for everyday resort skiing, making it one of the best all mountain skis of the year.

A couple of tester responses pretty much nailed the spread on this one, saying the QST 100 would be perfect for both “young freeride rippers, stoked on watching the FWT,” and “a stoned Telluride ski patroller in an extended high-pressure cycle.”