#5 on this list
QST 94
Salomon
The Salomon QST 94 is built for intermediate to advanced skiers seeking a dependable, easy-going progression vehicle for all-mountain freeriding. It is ideal for skiers who want to transition from groomed boulevards into the trees, bumps, and unmaintained terrain without feeling intimidated by a stiff, punishing platform. Salomon utilizes a lightweight poplar core bolstered by C/FX (a weave of carbon and flax) alongside Cork Damplifiers integrated directly into the tips. This configuration keeps the ski’s swing weight low—around 1,810 grams in the 180cm size—while effectively soaking up high-frequency vibrations. Its freeride-oriented rocker profile allows the tips to float cleanly in shallow fresh snow and makes sluffing, smearing, and pivot turns in tight moguls feel natural and low-stress. The trade-off for this forgiveness is an approachable, somewhat soft flex profile. Aggressive, heavyweight skiers driving hard over the front of the boot will find the tips can fold or lose precise bite when laying down high-angle carves at maximum velocity. It remains a freeride-inspired ski that prefers a centered stance rather than a purely directional, aggressive driving style. **Highlights** - C/FX carbon and flax reinforcement adds dampness without heavy metal - Cork Damplifiers in tip structure absorb rough chatter - Freeride rocker profile facilitates easy pivot turns and soft-snow float - Manageable 1,810g weight (180cm) keeps swing weight light - Highly forgiving flex profile for progressing intermediates **Watch-outs** - Soft tip flex can feel vague during high-speed, hard-snow carving - Lacks the raw high-speed stability of heavy Titanal-laminated models
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#6 on this list
Maven 103 CTI
Atomic
The Atomic Maven 103 CTI is a freeride-leaning all-mountain ski tailored for women who spend substantial time off-piste hunting soft snow, powder stashes, and technical chutes. Designed to handle broader terrain palettes, it targets advanced and expert skiers who want a wider underfoot footprint without hauling an overly heavy, unyielding board. Atomic incorporates its CTI (Carbon Titanal) construction, combining a lively poplar wood core with strategically placed carbon stringers and a central Titanal insert. This setup generates a snappy, energetic response while keeping the chassis rigid enough underfoot to bite into firm traversing surfaces. The 103mm waist and rockered HRZN Tech tips maximize surface area, allowing the ski to plane quickly over deep, unconsolidated powder and absorb uneven crust. Because of its wider profile, the Maven 103 CTI requires more time and physical effort to transition from edge to edge on groomed runs. On firm, icy pistes, it lacks the surgical edge bite and instant turn entry of narrower all-mountain options. It is unequivocally built for soft-snow bias, making it less than ideal as a strict one-ski quiver for East Coast or dry-season resort conditions. **Highlights** - 103mm waist width excels in powder, crud, and off-trail bowls - CTI construction blends snappy carbon with a stabilizing Titanal inlay - HRZN Tech tip profile improves surface area and flotation - Energetic pop when exiting turns in soft snow - Capable dampness for off-piste charging **Watch-outs** - Slower edge-to-edge response on packed groomers - Overly wide for regions predominantly skiing firm, hardpack snow
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Specs side by side
| Spec | QST 94 | Maven 103 CTI |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1,810g per ski (180cm) | — |
| Core Material | Full Poplar Woodcore | Poplar Wood |
| Reinforcements | C/FX (Carbon/Flax weave), Cork Damplifier | — |
| Profile | Freeride tip and tail rocker with camber underfoot | — |
| Category | All-Mountain Freeride | Women's Freeride All-Mountain |
| Target Skier | Intermediate to advanced all-mountain skiers | Advanced to Expert |
| Retail Price | Approximately $700 | — |
| Waist Width | — | 103 mm |
| Reinforcement | — | Carbon and Titanal (CTI) |
| Rocker Profile | — | All-Mountain Rocker with HRZN Tech |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
QST 94
- Low swing weight enables effortless pivot turns in moguls and tight trees
- Cork Damplifier and C/FX weave reduce chatter without heavy metal sheets
- Highly forgiving flex pattern flatters developing off-piste technique
- Predictable edge engagement provides confidence in variable conditions
- Soft tip profile limits stability at aggressive carving speeds
- Less edge grip on boilerplate ice compared to metal-laminate alternatives
- Can feel washed out under powerful, forward-driving expert skiers
Maven 103 CTI
- CTI construction provides damp stability without excessive overall weight
- HRZN Tech tips deliver effortless flotation in fresh powder and tracked snow
- Directional shape provides dependable edge hold through variable crud
- Balanced rebound makes turn transitions energetic in soft snow
- Sluggish edge transitions compared to narrower all-mountain options
- Requires active driving and forward pressure to avoid washing out on hardpack
- Lacks the biting edge grip needed for firm East Coast boilerplate conditions
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