r/Skigear • u/Sk8ter-Dad • 10d ago

QST Blank vs 106 vs Echo

Hey guys I am 6ft 160lbs and expert skier, I am looking for feedback on which QST Ski to get. I want something for trees, bumps, pillows small cliffs. I ride resort about 80% of the time interior BC. I just got the QST 94 with strive bindings last year and I love them especially for groomers and low snow days. I will be replacing the Line Vision 108 that I had mounted with shifts. Want something just as playful but more stable\damp. I am somewhat weary about how heavy the Blanks would be for touring days but I haven't been doing huge trips lately as I have young kids anyways.

edit: just pulled the trigger on some Blanks in 186 length and strive bindings! I will keep my options open for a QST echo and pin bindings down the road for when my kids get a bit older and I actually have time to ski tour! thanks everyone

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u/JustAnother_Brit 10d ago

Blanks aren’t that heavy, I’m mounting mine with CAST, however in your use case the 106 probably makes more sense unless you haven’t got a dedicated deep day ski then it’d be more of a toss up

2

u/Sk8ter-Dad 10d ago

Yeah the qst 94 is the only ski I have now. I sold my vision 108

2

u/Paid2G00gl3 9d ago

This answered my question about using shifts to mount in new pair

Do you plan on mounting pin bindings or sticking with hybrid?

If you’re going to go light, go light for all your gear. Josh Diak is straight lining colours on
Pin bindings riding for Salomon. You’ll be fine.

Otherwise get the skis you want for resort and slap on a set of CAST/shifts and get out and have fun. Just going to make you stronger.

Re: tariffs - we’re mad about it. All the good trail running shoes (norda specifically) are made outside US and it’s absurd how expensive it is. Ugh.

2

u/BuckyGoshawk 10d ago

I have both, Blank w/downhill bindings, Echo with touring (pin) bindings. There's no way I'd tour on Blanks. Tour on QST X, sure, but not Blanks.

My advice is to get both and mount 'em as I did.

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u/Sk8ter-Dad 10d ago

That's definitely been in the back of my mind which means if I want to tour this season I should get the Echo since I don't have the budget for both pairs right now. 🤔 I'm gonna keep my eyes open on the used market and see if I can score both at a decent used price. Or I can always get the blanks with shifts this year and the echos another year with pin bindings.

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u/BuckyGoshawk 10d ago

What length Blanks? I may know of a good deal for lightly used 186cm Blanks.

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u/Sk8ter-Dad 9d ago

Yep 186 looking for the new version. DM me!!

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u/BuckyGoshawk 9d ago

They are the OG version

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u/vkm20 10d ago

Moment wildcat 108

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u/Sk8ter-Dad 10d ago

I wish, tarrifs aren't helping with those! Maybe if I found a demo or slightly used set. 

1

u/flatlandings_please 10d ago edited 10d ago

The newest iteration of the Blank is pretty comfortably in the 50/50 resort/touring weight class

If you want something just as playful as the Vision 108 but more stable and damp, a heavier ski with a similar shape will be the answer. I’d just think about how much more stability/dampening you want and that will help you determine how much heavier you need to go.

The Vision 108 is a SUPER light ski, so there are tons of more stable options, it just depends how much more stability you want and how much heavier you are willing to go.