As the 2013/14 season drew to a close, the DSJ Ski Assessment Dept. had a lot of gear to test. One series of skis that we found quite impressive was the Salomon Quest line.
With the Q-115, the widest ski in this series, Salomon has a ski that’s perfect for slaying pow, but also capable of charging beyond the resort boundary. Powered by Salomon’s Utility Rocker (a combination of early rise tip rocker and traditional camber underfoot and in the tail) this ski surfs powder like a dream. At the same time, stiffness in the nose and tail allows you to power through turns if you want to get serious about slaying pow or chopping up some hardpack.
Nothing builds confidence in big-mountain terrain more than stability wedded to maneuverability, a formula that Salomon got away from with their meaty Enduro family of Frontside skis (which they corrected with the X-Drive series last season). The Q series, led by the 115, is designed to fill this niche. Cody Townsend swapped out his 194cm AK ski, the El Dictator, for this model to check off some big-mountain lines and it’s easy to see why.
The honeycomb tips and tail lighten the ski for added floatation and less chatter. The 113 mm waist at 178 cm is also a good choice for skiing conditions outside of groomers, thanks to Salomon’s Backside All Mountain tech. Honeycomb Tip and Tail reduces swing weight and makes for a lighter ski that’s still plenty stiff.
