Editor's Note: We updated this review for the Salomon QST Lumen 99 on March 6, 2022, with an unbiased recommendation for this ski and a direct comparison of similar options if this isn't the model for you.
Salomon QST Lumen 99 Review
Our Verdict
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Salomon QST Lumen 99 | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $329.97 at Evo Compare at 2 sellers | $599.93 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $679 List | $537.99 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Lively, quick for its size, master in powder | Crud blaster, dependable, great one-ski quiver option, good for every ability level | Awesome powder tool, fabulous fun factor even for light skiers, affordable price | Great stability at high speeds, good on hard snow and crud, more affordable than others | Superbly stable at high speeds, great edge hold |
Cons | Not super stable, flappy tips, gets thrown in crud | No wow-factor, not a lot of rebound | Gets bouncy in crud, slight tip flap, doesn’t carve perfectly | Only for shallower pow days, needs strong skier to guide them | Too burly for lighter gals, not nimble |
Bottom Line | A very energetic ski in powder and bumps, but we wish it performed better on-piste and in crud | A great all-rounder ski that we think is the most versatile option for a one-ski quiver | A fun and responsive toy for powder days, groomer antics, and bumps, with a value-oriented price tag | This model will do great in everything but the deepest powder and is ideal for an aggressive skier | A good choice for hard-charging speed demons that still performs decently off-piste |
Rating Categories | Salomon QST Lumen 99 | Nordica Santa Ana 98 | Elan Ripstick 94 W | Faction Dictator 2.0X | Volkl Secret 96 |
Stability at Speed (20%) | |||||
Carving Ability (20%) | |||||
Powder Performance (20%) | |||||
Crud Performance (20%) | |||||
Terrain Playfulness (15%) | |||||
Bumps (5%) | |||||
Specs | Salomon QST Lumen 99 | Nordica Santa Ana 98 | Elan Ripstick 94 W | Faction Dictator 2.0X | Volkl Secret 96 |
Waist Width | 99 mm | 98 mm | 94 mm | 96 mm | 96 mm |
Sidecut (Tip-Waist-Tail width) | 136-99-118 mm | 132-98-120 mm | 136-94-110 mm | 127-96-117 mm | 135-96-119 mm |
Available Lengths | 153, 159, 167, 174, 181 cm | 151, 158, 165, 172, 179 cm | 154, 162, 170, 178 cm | 155, 163, 171, 175, 179, 183, 187 cm | 149, 156, 163, 170 cm |
Length Tested | 174 cm | 172 cm | 178 cm | 171 cm | 170 cm |
Turn Radius | 19 m | 16.3 m | 18 m | 18 m | 16 m |
Camber Profile | Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot | Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot | Rocker tip and tail, cambered inside edge, Amphibio tech | Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot | Rocker tip and tail, camber underfoot |
Weight Per Pair | 8.1 lbs | 8.1 lbs | 7.4 lbs | 7.9 lbs | 8.5 lbs |
Construction Type | Full sandwich | Energy Ti W | SST sidewall | Sandwich | Full sidewall |
Core Material | Poplar | Performance Wood & Metal | Tubelite wood | Paulownia & Poplar | Beech and poplar |
Ability Level | Intermediate-Advanced | Intermediate-Expert | Intermediate-Expert | Advanced-Expert | Advanced-Expert |
Our Analysis and Test Results
If you truly only go out on powder days, and you go back inside as soon as it starts to get tracked out, the Salomon QST Lumen 99 would be a great choice. In that case, however, you'd probably just opt for a powder-specific ski instead of a more versatile all-mountain ski. If you know you'll be skiing on soft groomers and enjoy making quick short turns with fun rebound energy, this Salomon model does that well, too.
Performance Comparison
Stability at Speed
The massive rockered tip of the QST Lumen 99 makes it the perfect powder hound, but this detracts from its stability. We found that the tips were constantly flapping around when we skied at speed on hard-pack or groomers, which is always a little unnerving, even if it doesn't necessarily point to real instability. However, we also found that the ski would chatter and skid out when we tried to push it in the steeps. One tester said she felt that up to a certain speed, it was OK, but at faster speeds, there were several uncomfortable moments where they just didn't have the edge-hold we desired.
Carving Ability
While the QST Lumen 99 does have a nice rebound effect at the end of the turn, thanks to a consistent flex pattern along the ski, it just doesn't have the edge-hold capabilities in harder snow to feel confident setting an edge and riding it. For those who appreciate quick turns, it seems to want to make a shorter turn than the 19-meter radius would suggest. You may need to widen your stance to carve this ski properly since the tips are quite fat and can get in the way!
Powder Performance
The QST Lumen 99 shines her brightest in powder. It is incredibly floaty - you can always see the big purple spatula tips soaring out in front of you, or if it's very deep, you'll still see the waves of snow created by them. These are reassuring signs that you'll be staying on the surface. This ski loves to make a short, bouncy turn in the fluffy stuff, which many of our testers appreciated. As opposed to the typical fat-ski arc of one turn in 300 feet of powder, our lead tester tends to think you get more joy out of the snow if you're turning more often. Quick turns are also preferable for those who are just building confidence in fresh snow. This ski was very maneuverable in the trees and quite deep snow (we skied this model in up to 18 inches depth).
Crud Performance
Those big old spatula tip that makes the QST Lumen 99 a perfect powder-eater is its downfall in this metric, constantly being deflected and tossing the rider off balance. This ski just doesn't feel stiff enough to plow through choppy snow.
Terrain Playfulness
The exhilarating rebound it offers, particularly in a short, poppy turn, makes it a relatively playful ski. It also feels pretty lightweight, and it seems very easy to get airborne. It's just that when we got back down to the snow again, this ski wasn't nearly as predictable. But its surprising agility, given the size and turn radius, definitely gave us a second thought.
Bumps
The QST Lumen 99 startled us with its abilities in the moguls as well, mostly because it looks like such a lumbering brute, but it turns with lightness and grace. Despite being 99 millimeters underfoot, and supposedly having a 19-meter turn radius, this ski is quick and responsive in the bumps. It is relatively forgiving in this terrain for the uninitiated.
Should You Buy the QST Lumen 99?
If you love skiing powder – but don't necessarily want the bulk of a true powder ski underfoot – then the Salomon QST Lumen 99 is the niche ski you've been waiting for. This ski is fun anytime fresh snow has fallen, even on groomed terrain, and is surprisingly forgiving through a mogul field for those looking to improve their bump skiing abilities. But for most skiers, there are other skis out there that offer greater versatility at a similar price point.
What Other Women's All-Mountain Skis Should You Consider?
A playful ski that thrives in powder, the Salomon QST Lumen 99 is a forgiving and fun option – just don't expect too much of it in other environments. For hardpack cruisers, the damp and reliable Nordica Santa Ana 98 can carve up groomers and still offers similar performance in the soft stuff. A more energetic and exciting option, the Faction Dictator 2.0X isn't as well-suited for powder skiing but inspires confidence through crud and choppy snow. If powder skiing is your jam, then the Elan Ripstick 94 W offers similar performance in a more playful package.
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