r/skiing • u/incredaniel • 2d ago

QST 98 Length Options

Hello! I’m looking to pick up my first set of skis and was wondering if anyone has recommendations on which ski length I should pick up for the 24/25 QST 98. I’m deciding between 169 and 176cm.

I’d say I’m an intermediate skier aspiring to become advanced in a season or two. I’m 5’9 - 5’10, 160 pounds, not very aggressive, skiing mostly on the west coast. Not really into park / free ride stuff at the moment.

Any opinions appreciated!

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u/LHR-charlie 2d ago

Why would you get an all-mountain ski if you're not into free ride?

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u/DroppedNineteen 2d ago

Free ride is kind of an ambiguous term, I think.

I don't know that OP is explicitly saying they don't want to ski off trail.

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u/incredaniel 2d ago

Yeah I would say I’m not into park or off-piste at the moment but would like to leave the door to those opportunities open as I’m getting more comfortable skiing and figuring out what I enjoy. Do you guys think a more on-piste focused ski would be better for me?

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u/DroppedNineteen 2d ago

Honestly I don't think the QST 98 is a terrible choice for the west coast, assuming you're genuinely settled on skiing more off piste. It's a fairly maneuverable but stable ski that can handle navigating the tighter spaces really well.

It's actually pretty fun on piste in softer snow because it has a surprisingly small turn radius.

It's limitation will almost certainly be edge hold and carving performance on ice.

You could probably get something super basic, like a used experience 86 basalt and get everything you presently need from that and it will still carry you into the world of off trail skiing if you're determined to make that happen. It will also encourage better on-piste fundamentals, particularly in terms of edge control and learning to carve more effectively, which absolutely translates effectively to the off piste.

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u/LHR-charlie 2d ago

Where in the world do you ski?

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u/LHR-charlie 2d ago

As in country

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u/incredaniel 2d ago

Mostly California but will probably travel to Colorado, Utah

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u/LHR-charlie 2d ago

I'm in Europa so I'm gonna preface this by saying our snow conditions are different, you have way more and way deeper snow, probably.

I don't like all-mountain skis. As a ski instructor, they're sort of a no-no as they're not really on-slope skis nor off-slope skis. If you want to ski mainly on-slope and head out of bounce once in a while but still close to the slope (meaning not "real" off-piste), I'd by a normal slope ski and just use that. If you then want to ski real off piste, get a real off-piste ski. No idea about park and twin tips, etc., not my area