Shop Talk: Sensation-Driven Innovation

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It’s no anomaly in the ski industry for a brand to produce more than one ski in a category–in fact, take a look at any big brand’s portfolio and you’re likely to see way too many options. However, Salomon’s current freeski lineup contains exactly two powder-specific skis, with very similar waist widths (112 and 116) and seemingly similar intentions. We’ve spent quite a bit of time aboard the QST Blank and the new QST X , and wanted to dive a little deeper into what the French brand is doing here.

Hop aboard either of these skis and you’ll quickly realize that while they share similar footprints, they behave very differently on snow. The Blank, originally billed as an athlete-designed backcountry and resort freeride ski, prefers a more aggressive ski technique, high speeds, and arguably performs best in questionable snow. On the other hand, the new QST X, reviewed here this past spring , is a loose and surfy deep-snow weapon that prefers pivoty turns in the trees, down pillow stacks, and bouncing around in hero conditions. Both are light enough to reasonably see use as touring skis (the QST X is, in fact, quite light for its size), yet both contain double sidewalls and Salomon’s “cork damplifier” to make them some of the quietest, smoothest skis on the market.

We caught up with Quentin Boutry, Salomon’s Senior Product Manager for Alpine Skis and Bindings, who’s been intimately involved with the design of both of these unique skis. In short, Quentin shares that while the Blank has proven to be an incredibly popular and very versatile deep-snow tool, it was missing some of the all-out fun factor that only a really loose and surfy ski could provide, and that was the beginning of the QST X project.

Boutry shares, “In the world of freeskiing, ski width is just one factor and, on its own, doesn't tell the full story. It's the interplay of multiple criteria that truly defines a ski's performance, feel, and interaction with the snow. The best combination, in my view, is determined by the ski's profile (camber, rocker length, tip & tail heights) and its construction materials. Sidecut also plays a crucial role, where the radius generated by the widest points at the tip and tail is more significant than the width itself. That being said, each ski has a distinct purpose and offers a unique feel. Our goal is to cater to different skiers' needs and infuse each model with its own personality. The Blank and the QST X, are designed to meet the specific demands of different skiing styles while maintaining the Salomon Freeski ethos of playfulness and versatility.”

The Blank

The Blank is a powerhouse designed for hard-charging all-condition performance. In many ways, it’s meant to be skied in a more “traditional” manner–driving through the front of your boots to initiate turns. Inside, there’s a full poplar wood core, carbon and basalt fibers, and double sidewalls, all built with durability and quiet yet playful ride in mind.

Boutry says, “This model is engineered for stability and safety at high speeds, making it reliable for cliff drops and landing tricks in challenging terrain. The Blank's construction is quite common in the freeride industry for high-performing and charging skis. However, the Blank stands out due to its pairing of a strong and stable construction with a playful profile : 28% rocker in the tip, 25% in the tail, and a short turn radius.”

Here, Josh Daiek showcases some Blank-style skiing:

From a performance standpoint, the setup ensures agility and quickness, perfect for navigating tight spots, switching turns, and jumping around trees. The wide points in the tip and tail, positioned nearer to the center of the ski, provide a robust platform while freeing up the extremities for enhanced maneuverability.

In Boutry’s words, “It’s ideal for skiers who crave high performance and stability but also want to express their creativity on big lines.”

The QST X

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s the new QST X. This one is all about drift, float, and a surfy feel in deep snow. It caters to a very different style of skiing than the Blank, rewarding a more centered stance, smeary, pivoty turns, and gives a bouncier, more playful feel. It still wants to go fast, but doesn’t really care about directional skiing–in fact I frequently found myself going just as fast with the skis fully perpendicular to the slope than while pointing straight down.

The shape features a medium camber with a long rocker profile in the tip and tail (30% tip, 26% tail, according to Boutry), and a wide platform extending further to the extremities for enhanced powder contact. The 25-meter turning radius is also noticeably very long, adding stability no matter the direction you might be facing.

Meanwhile, Stan Rey showcases QST X style skiing:

Boutry says, “Inside, the construction aims for a mid-weight ski (1900g at 184cm) with torsional strength at the ends, and specifically for the QST X, this combination of profile and construction delivers a super floaty feeling while maintaining the maneuverability and pivot necessary for navigating powder fields. The extended contact with the snow enhances the powder experience, providing a smooth, surfing-like sensation.”

So What Gives?

Why does any of this matter? Well because these have been two of my all-time favorite skis over the past few years, that both brought some fresh ideas to a space in skiing that has probably seen the most innovation in skiing over the last decade. Remember when we first saw sidecut in skis? Then we saw rocker? Then we saw reverse sidecut , and things kind of spiraled from there?

I’m excited to see what I’m going to call “sensation-driven innovation” in the ski world. It’s something that has long dictated surfboard and snowboard design, eg. hedonistic shapers are making things purely to be FUN.

As Boutry says, “Even with close waist widths, the on-snow experience is distinctly different, catering to two types of skiers and delivering unique sensations. Both skis embody Salomon's Freeski mindset of playfulness and versatility, each offering a no-compromise experience tailored to specific skiing styles.”

It’s cool to see a brand that’s not afraid to try new things, listen to their athletes, and deliver products that cater above all to on-snow sensations.