Anyone test the Rossi Soul 7 HD against the Salomon QST 106?

[Super D]

If anyone's tested these two skis against each other, I'd be grateful for your opinion comparing them.

Deciding on one or the other as a 1SQ this year.

Thanks,
D

[Bandit Man]

There are tons of reviews on the Soul 7 and the HD is just a tad more damp/quieter. Lots of feedback available on the 106, too.

How much do you weigh? How hard do you ski? Where do you ski? You probably can't go wrong with either.

If you live in San Diego still and make the 395 run up to Mammoth, I'd get the one that handles crud better. Done and done.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Why just those two?

[Super D]

There are tons of reviews on the Soul 7 and the HD is just a tad more damp/quieter. Lots of feedback available on the 106, too.

How much do you weigh? How hard do you ski? Where do you ski? You probably can't go wrong with either.

If you live in San Diego still and make the 395 run up to Mammoth, I'd get the one that handles crud better. Done and done.

Weigh 185. Ex-racer from a previous life, just like skiing fresh snow and trees now. Ski Mammoth, Steamboat, Park City, Solitude, Snowbird, Kirkwood, Jackson, etc.

Most recent ski was Head Motorhead Rock 'n Roll (very light, fun and versatile, just going mid-fat next and want much of the same characteristics).

Why just those two?

Just from reading 16/17 early test reports and talking with some shop guys at Mammoth, I narrowed it down to those two. Was also considering the Volkl 100Eight as an option, but I hate the graphics and don't want to look at those ugly things looking up at me on the lift.

[gregL]

Well, I skied them on the same day.

They have different personalities. The Rossi Soul HD is surfier, looser, and has a lower speed limit. The addition of the carbon/basalt laminate has not magically turned this ski into a charger. The QST 106 is more precise, still easy to initiate turns on, and much more confident on hard snow. I put the Armada ARV 106 right up there, too.

[Super D]

Well, I skied them on the same day.

They have different personalities. The Rossi Soul HD is surfier, looser, and has a lower speed limit. The addition of the carbon/basalt laminate has not magically turned this ski into a charger. The QST 106 is more precise, still easy to initiate turns on, and much more confident on hard snow. I put the Armada ARV 106 right up there, too.

Interesting. Kind of the personality traits of Rossi's and Salmons I've experienced over the years. I've had a lot of good experiences with Salomons in terms of versatility, easy turning, and still keeping stability at speed. Encouraging.

My son skied Armadas briefly last year in Utah after breaking his Volkls and liked 'em. I haven't had a chance to try any yet.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

The Armada Invictus 108 ti should be on your list. For a relatively stiff ski with camber and minimal early rise, I'm surprised at how playful it can be and the float is every bit as good as blister commented on. More in common with the Q lab than the QST 106. Kinda like Invictus 108 v ARV 106.

[TAFKALVS]

Pm NW_skier, he's a rep for Rossignol and really familiar with the Soul 7 HD.

[auvgeek]

ON3P Wrenegade 108.

[powbmps]

The Ripstick 106 is worth checking out. Dimensions are very close to the Soul 7 and QST 106. Very nimble for it's size and holds well on hard pack. Never thought I'd like something this wide as an everyday ski (east coast perspective).

[galibier_numero_un]

ON3P Wrenegade 108.

^^^ Yes, burly ex-racer dude, pushing the front of his boots = Wren class of ski.

... Thom

[johnnyg82]

What about J Skis The Metal?

[Flexon Phil]

What about J Skis The Metal?

I just tested the The Metal, lighter and more jib-ish. The new QST 106 is a more user friendly version of the Q-Lab 104. The new QST's are pretty nice skis. I agree with the addition on the Invictus 108..the Invictus line, top to bottom is tearing it up.

[Super D]

Thanks for all the suggestions and input, guys!

How do you decide on sizing? I've tried 173, 180 and 188 in similar skis the past few seasons, and sort of landed on 180 as a good do-anything length (while giving up some warp-speed stability, but not a big deal).

[Super D]

Well, I got fatter. My skis, I mean. Went with the QST 118 and Warden MNC binders. Figured, what the hell. Praying for pow. Lots and lots of pow.

[Super D]

Got a few days on the QST 118's in Steamboat last week. Definitely a soft snow ski, superb in the fresh stuff, not good on hard snow (too much rocker and soft flex in the tips, not enough stability for speed, not great tails for finishing a carve). After borrowing a buddy's carving skis to use until the storm hit, I made a new plan. I'm thinking of keeping these 118's for pow (they were stupid fun in the pow glades, best ever for me so far), and getting one of the following narrower sets for daily-drivers:

In order of preference:
Nordica Enforcer 100
Liberty Origin 96
Salomon QST 99
Blizzard Bonafide

I thought maybe the 118's could be a 1SQ, but not a chance, they are definitely pow and soft snow skis. The 106 could be an all-arounder, but from what I'm told by several, they aren't sufficiently stable for bombing on hard snow, or bombing in general, still too soft and floaty in the tips. The skis above look to be a better choice for all-arounders and higher-speed cruising. On the hard snow and ice before the storm, we were running 40-45mph avg and 60mph max, really need stability for handling that, while being nimble at lower speeds and fun in the trees in variable conditions. Challenging to get one ski for just about everything, and I really don't want a stiff, heavier ski, that's why the Bonafides are last on the list. I sort of gave up stout skis years ago, and luckily found a light, nimble and stable ski to tool around on (was using the Head Motorhead Rock 'n Roll prior to this season, unsung hero of a ski).

[MHSP1497]

ON3P Wrenegade 98 is the ski you're after...

[Super D]

ON3P Wrenegade 98 is the ski you're after...

Interesting..Blistergear guys like that ski too. Can you share some thoughts about it, how's it ski in different conditions, speeds, etc?

[stuckathuntermtn]

Get the 190 Q Lab. Mount between -1 and -2. Enjoy.

[Rob Stokes]

Not skied the soul 7.

If I could only have one ski for all resort skiing and touring it would be a QST106 with a kingpin.

Great blend of stability with the ability to float and be nimble while being fairly light. Great ski.

[MHSP1497]

Interesting..Blistergear guys like that ski too. Can you share some thoughts about it, how's it ski in different conditions, speeds, etc?

I haven't personally ridden the 98, but I have ridden my wife's 88's (softer layup), and they're fantastic. Rode them on a hard crusty day and on a wet rainy day. They ate up everything i threw at them and wanted more. They like speed and want to go faster and faster (remind me of my old Volant Machete Sin's). Here's a link to a mini review of the 98 in the ON3P thread:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...96#post4932396

[Super D]

I haven't personally ridden the 98, but I have ridden my wife's 88's (softer layup), and they're fantastic. Rode them on a hard crusty day and on a wet rainy day. They ate up everything i threw at them and wanted more. They like speed and want to go faster and faster (remind me of my old Volant Machete Sin's). Here's a link to a mini review of the 98 in the ON3P thread:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...96#post4932396

Thanks, interesting stuff.. I've actually never seen ON3P skis before last year. I need to get out more.

[MHSP1497]

Thanks, interesting stuff.. I've actually never seen ON3P skis before last year. I need to get out more.

I'll be honest with you, neither had I... and I'm from Portland! I cannot say enough good things about their skis. They really are something else altogether.

[Super D]

I'll be honest with you, neither had I... and I'm from Portland! I cannot say enough good things about their skis. They really are something else altogether.

Okay, now I don't feel so bad.

[westoxified]

Got a few days on the QST 118's in Steamboat last week. Definitely a soft snow ski, superb in the fresh stuff, not good on hard snow (too much rocker and soft flex in the tips, not enough stability for speed, not great tails for finishing a carve). After borrowing a buddy's carving skis to use until the storm hit, I made a new plan. I'm thinking of keeping these 118's for pow (they were stupid fun in the pow glades, best ever for me so far), and getting one of the following narrower sets for daily-drivers:

In order of preference:
Nordica Enforcer 100
Liberty Origin 96
Salomon QST 99
Blizzard Bonafide

I thought maybe the 118's could be a 1SQ, but not a chance, they are definitely pow and soft snow skis. The 106 could be an all-arounder, but from what I'm told by several, they aren't sufficiently stable for bombing on hard snow, or bombing in general, still too soft and floaty in the tips. The skis above look to be a better choice for all-arounders and higher-speed cruising. On the hard snow and ice before the storm, we were running 40-45mph avg and 60mph max, really need stability for handling that, while being nimble at lower speeds and fun in the trees in variable conditions. Challenging to get one ski for just about everything, and I really don't want a stiff, heavier ski, that's why the Bonafides are last on the list. I sort of gave up stout skis years ago, and luckily found a light, nimble and stable ski to tool around on (was using the Head Motorhead Rock 'n Roll prior to this season, unsung hero of a ski).

Pow glades?

Bombing hardpack is hilarious.

I think the 118 must suck with anything other than an sth2 binding.