The Salomon QST 106 is one of the best skis for skiers who prioritize soft snow performance and want an incredibly maneuverable ski with a wider waist. Tight trees, a few inches of fresh snow, or steep technical chutes are no match. We've skied these quite a bit out west and totally understand why so many skiers love the way they perform in softer, more forgiving snow. The only drawback to a ski that does so well in soft snow conditions is that hard snow integrity is lacking a bit, but that's not a problem if you're not skiing bulletproof East Coast ice. In a turn, on groomers or hardpack, the QST is lively and initiates turns easily but isn't built for piping high-angle carves on icy groomers. Again, that's not a problem because that's not what the ski was built for. It does however have enough bite and a strong enough feel to keep you confident if you're skiing buffed out runs during a dry spell out west or softer snow on the East Coast. It's a more playful ski that will make skiing technical runs and steep chutes feel effortless and exciting. This is one of the easiest skis to pivot and swing through tight terrain. The QST 106 is also a great option for skiers who are putting together a 50/50 alpine touring setup that can be skied mostly in the resort but is still capable in the backcountry.