Salomon QST 98 vs Atomic Maverick: Which All-Mountain Ski Should You Buy?

Introduction

The Salomon QST 98 has earned its reputation as one of the better all-mountain freeride skis in the 98mm class. It returns unchanged apart from a graphic update, and the core experience remains the same: a playful, innovative ski that floats well in the trees yet still carves convincingly on softer groomers.

The natural comparison point is the Atomic Maverick, and the two skis are close in overall performance. Think of them as near-mirror images: the Maverick is a groomers-first ski with powder as a secondary strength, while the QST 98 flips that priority, putting powder and trees first and carving second. Both sit near the top of the category, and the choice comes down to where you spend most of your time on the mountain.

How the Salomon QST 98 Skis

For a 98mm ski, the QST 98 floats remarkably well. The rocker profile and taper shape are the main reasons, with a fairly long and somewhat dramatic tip rocker, positive camber underfoot, and even more tail rocker than the wider QST 106. The spoony, tapered tip makes turn initiation effortless, and the shorter effective edge gives the 176cm length a 16m turn radius, quicker than you might expect from an all-mountain freeride ski.

On snow, the ski feels clean and comfortable at the apex of the turn in all conditions. A distinctive second bulge in the geometry holds you in a balanced position through the turn, and the ski feels stable and firm on edge without ever feeling like it is driving you. Edge-to-edge transitions are quick, which pays off in the trees and in those moments where you need a fast emergency turn.

Construction and Build

The QST 98 uses a full poplar wood core with carbon and flax stringers, the CFX material, running through the shovel and tail to give the ski energy. Double sidewalls and a denser ABS layer under the top sheet add power, grip, and stability underfoot without metal, keeping the feel more natural and maneuverable.

Cork dampeners in the tip and tail reduce chatter and vibration, making this one of the quieter skis in its class. Even with carbon in the build, there is very little ping, and whatever chatter remains is never jarring. The ski is not especially light: the 176cm length comes in around 1,883g per ski, but the maneuverability and playfulness make it feel far less hefty on snow.

Who the Salomon QST 98 Is Best For

This ski rewards skiers who prioritize trees and powder over pure front-side carving. It handles tight, tighter-spaced glades with real agility, links quick successive turns, and floats beyond what the 98mm width suggests. It also keeps enough freeride playfulness in the tail for light switch skiing and the occasional trick, even though it is primarily a directional freeride ski.

One quirk to know about: the QST 98 does not like half-finished turns. On steep, narrow corridors where you cannot complete a clean arc or fully wash out a turn, it can produce an awkward double-turn feel. In almost every other scenario, from groomers to powder to trees, it performs at a very high level.

Where the Atomic Maverick Fits

The Atomic Maverick is essentially the inverse profile. It outperforms the QST 98 on groomers and in carving precision, making it the stronger pick if front-side performance is your primary focus. It is not that the QST 98 cannot carve, because it carves very well on softer snow, but the Maverick offers a more precise, confident feel on firmer conditions and a stronger overall front-side experience.

If your days look like long groomed runs with occasional powder detours, the Maverick is the more natural fit. If your days look like powder stashes and tree lines with groomers as the connection between them, the QST 98 makes more sense.

Which One Should You Buy

Both of these skis are excellent, and neither is a bad choice. The deciding factor is your terrain priority. The QST 98 is the powder-first, carving-second ski that excels in trees and floats like a wider ski while turning quicker than its width suggests. The Maverick is the groomers-first, powder-second ski with sharper carving precision and better performance on firm snow.

If you live somewhere with regular soft snow and love hunting for pockets between the trees, the QST 98 will feel like it was made for you. If your season is mostly hard-packed groomers and you want the most precise turn possible, the Maverick deserves your attention. Either way, you are getting one of the stronger all-mountain skis in its class.

Conclusion

The Salomon QST 98 and Atomic Maverick cover opposite ends of the same high-performing all-mountain spectrum. Choose based on where your skis actually spend the season, and both will reward you.