Nordica Unleashed 98 vs Salomon QST 98: Which 98mm All-Mountain Ski Fits Your Quiver?

Introduction

The Nordica Unleashed 98 and the Salomon QST 98 share the same waist width and land on nearly every all-mountain shortlist, which is exactly why shoppers so often stand between the two at the point of purchase. Both are excellent, but they are tuned for noticeably different skiers and snow conditions. Here is how they differ, and which one makes sense for your season.

Nordica Unleashed 98: The Versatile Front-Sider

The Unleashed 98 is a personal favorite in the category, and the reason starts with construction. A full wood core and full sidewall build, combined with metal laminate placed very strategically, give the ski real strength on the front side. When you tip it over and rip arcing turns on groomers, or when things get a bit icy or hardpacked, it feels notably strong and composed.

That metal is only part of the story, though. The way it is blended with the rocker profile keeps the ski playful rather than punishing. Slip off the groomed trail into bumps or trailside fluff and the ski pivots easily, staying fun and remarkably easy to ski. That balance of grip and looseness is what makes it such a versatile one-ski option.

Salomon QST 98: Built for the Soft Stuff

The QST series is strong across the board, and within it the 98 sits closer to the soft-snow end of the range than the 92 or the 106. Like the Nordica it uses a full wood core, but there is no metal here, and the rocker profile feels noticeably more tailored to places like Little Cottonwood Canyon than to Stowe, Vermont.

Off trail is where the QST 98 earns its keep. It floats well in softer snow, comes around quickly in tighter situations, and stays genuinely fun when the snow gets deep. The trade-off is durability underfoot: compared with the Unleashed 98, it is simply not as burly or as strong when the snow firms up.

How to Choose Between Them

Either ski will deliver what most all-mountain skiers are looking for, so the decision comes down to where and how you spend most of your days. If you want one ski that does more things for you, from hardpack groomers to occasional soft snow, while still feeling fun in looser snow, the Unleashed 98 is the more versatile pick.

If your setup is more of a quiver situation, or you find yourself skiing mostly out west in the Rockies where soft snow dominates, the QST 98 is far better geared for those conditions and a ton of fun in that context.

Conclusion

The Unleashed 98 is the stronger, more versatile ski that still brings plenty of playfulness, while the QST 98 is the soft-snow specialist that rewards skiers who chase the deep stuff. Match the ski to the conditions you actually face and either choice will serve you well.