Salomon QST Lumen 98 Review: A Light, Versatile All-Mountain Freeride Ski

Introduction

The Salomon QST Lumen 98 sits in the middle of the QST lineup, between the narrower QST Lux 92 and the wider QST Stella 106. At 98 mm underfoot it is an all-mountain freeride ski that keeps weight low while staying stable and highly maneuverable.

For the current season the ski carries over the same build and shape as the previous version, with a new graphic treatment as the only change. That matters for buyers: the shape is already a proven design rather than an unproven redesign, so what you are considering is a known quantity.

Because the waist width sits in the middle of the range, the Lumen 98 leans toward soft snow and powder more than the 92 mm option, while still being a ski you can take across the whole mountain.

Who this product is for

The Lumen 98 is aimed at intermediate through advanced skiers. It is intuitive to ski, and the shape makes all-mountain performance easy to access without demanding a highly technical style.

It is the better fit for skiers who spend most of their time in softer snow and want float in the tips, rather than for someone whose days are mostly on firm, groomed hardpack. Skiers in that second group will get more out of the narrower QST Lux 92.

Main Strengths

Construction and Materials

The core is full poplar wood, which adds stability and strength while keeping the ski maneuverable, and produces a consistent flex from tip to tail.

Salomon’s CFX blend adds a layer of carbon and flax woven together. The result is more energy and snap going into and out of turns, plus a balanced strength-to-weight ratio that is noticeable in how the ski performs.

Cork damplifiers in the tip and tail take care of vibration and chopped-up, variable snow, so the ski cruises through inconsistent conditions instead of transmitting every bump. The damping keeps the ride smooth along the length of the ski.

Rocker Profile, Shape, and Edge Grip

The profile is a freeride rocker design: 20% rocker in the tip, camber underfoot, and 15% rocker in the tail, with moderate early taper toward the tip.

That shape delivers float in the tips, an energetic release out of the tail, and the ability to swivel the tail out of a turn or press into it for drive.

The dramatic taper and rocker shorten the effective edge, so double sidewall technology is used to compensate. Edge grip and stability underfoot hold up well, and the ski stays well balanced overall.

How It Performs

In a 168 cm length the turn radius is 15 meters, which lands in the middle of the range: not especially short, not especially long. That lets the skier dictate turn shape rather than the ski dictating it.

Quick, snappy turns in bumps or trees are well within reach, and the same ski opens up comfortably into longer, surfier turns. That responsiveness and maneuverability is why it works across so much terrain.

Things to consider before buying

The 98 mm waist and freeride rocker profile mean the ski is happiest in deeper, softer snow. On firm, groomed hardpack, the narrower QST Lux 92 is the stronger option in the lineup.

Buying advice

Match the ski to the conditions you actually ride most often. If your season is mostly soft snow, powder, and mixed terrain, the Lumen 98 makes sense as a do-most-things ski. If firm groomed runs dominate your days, look at the 92 mm option instead.

Length selection matters as much as the model. The 168 cm size runs a 15 meter turn radius, and other lengths will shift that figure, so choose based on your height, weight, and how tight you want your turns to feel.

Because the build and shape carry over from the previous version, skiers who liked the earlier ski can expect the same ride. Skiers stepping up from a narrower frontside ski should allow a short adjustment period while they get used to the wider platform and the rockered tip.

Conclusion

The Salomon QST Lumen 98 is a lightweight, stable, and maneuverable all-mountain freeride ski that covers a lot of ground. Its poplar core, carbon and flax laminate, cork damping, and freeride rocker add up to a ski that floats in soft snow, holds grip underfoot, and stays easy to steer. For intermediate and advanced skiers who ride softer conditions and want one ski that handles a wide range of terrain, it is a confident choice.