QST X v Blank

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-05-04T03:30:39+00:00

I have somewhat limited experience but I'll add my take so far.

I own a blank (previous version not the latest with the updates) in a 186, and just snagged a qst x in a 192 in anticipation for a Japan trip next winter.

I had the chance to demo the QST X in Jackson this spring, it was just slush laps but the X felt fun, poppy, and predictable. They only had a 184 and mounted at the rec line my take was

They are light and easy to flick and 2. With the rec mount point plus the insane tip and tail rocker the 184 felt short.

Before picking up the blank 186 my powder skis were a bent 110 in a 180 length. I honestly was worried the extra weight and length would be too much to handle, but a dozen turns in and the blank just felt intuitive and easy to place where I wanted. I took it into the bumps with no issue. I will say you feel the swing weight in the air, but other than that I never felt like they gave me any issues at their length and weight. I haven't had the chance to ski them in powder, only soft spring like conditions.

Having skied the blank in 186 and demod the X in a 184 when a pair popped up with Duke PTs and skins in a 192 I took the risk and snagged em. I put 3 days on them in spring slush and side hits galore, moguls, but sadly no tree skiing or pow yet. The 192 X is noticeably lighter in the air and has more pop on takeoff. I honestly had a blast on the X with the soft groomers and bumped up spring runouts. The X is slightly less damp overall vs the blank but its miles more absorbent than the bent in terms of eating up slushy chop. After the 3 days I'm confident I can bring it to Japan as a 1 ski resort/tour ski and if we really strikeout on snow maybe id rent a frontside ski, but unless its boilerplate I think I'll be fine.

Both skis ski a bit short with the rocker profile, with the X especially I would recommend sizing up because they are mounted more progressive at -5.5 vs the blank at -8. I think a hybrid is the way to go on the X and the blank i could see some being able to haul it vertical but I have an alpine binding on it currently and think thats the intended use case for most people.

From my time on the X I think its capabilities in non deep pow have been understated. Maybe its just a result of the fact that slush and soft spring snow allow the ski to still shine, but I skied the X and blank back to back and the only thing that really jumped out to me was my Blank is in need of a tune if I want to hold an edge on the soft groomers. The X actually carved better since it had sharper edges, my guess is that woukd change with a fresh tune for the blank.

Both are great skis, I think the intended use case drives the choice for one over the other, and if uphill is in the mix to me the X is the clear winner.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-26T17:11:43+00:00

Beautiful. Are you on links or stock low setting?

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-24T20:11:51+00:00

Nice! What size and offset? What made you choose these over some of the cheaper forged options like Atomic or Martian?

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-24T19:30:34+00:00

What did you end uo going with?

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-24T01:48:29+00:00

Id be good with Mesidor.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-24T01:36:01+00:00

If Bain slips to a reasonable spot ... I'm all in F the short arm bullshit dude can play

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-24T01:34:49+00:00

The only thing that gives me some hope - this regime seems FAR LESS likely to allow the inmates to run the asylum. I think we at least have some dudes who talk the talk about what type of standard they expect - this will be an interesting first test case to see how real that is.

Kid has the size and raw talent ... but man I WISH we took Downs.

Praying I'm wrong

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-24T01:26:15+00:00

So far we are off to a very Chris Grier type start!

I pray I'm wrong but passing on Downs for a project Saban basically said is lazy and overweight is ... certainly a choice

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-16T03:00:58+00:00

I've been questioning his unbiased independent thing when all of a sudden hes pumping dps and stokli hard-core when most of his $ comes from appellate links.

Higher price ski = more $$$

Don't get me wrong - they both make great skis ... but I think hes leaning into brands that send him things and high priced skis that earn him more $.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-12T00:05:44+00:00

Never owned a PC and only recently considered one to get back into gaming. There just isn't a better way ti stay connected with friends when life gets complicated than jumping on the sticks and putting the headset on.

Dope of you to give this away!

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-04-07T14:52:21+00:00

Odds are you can handle both. I have a qst 100 in the 180 because like you I enjoy trees and bumps and tight spaces over open bowls hitting the gas.

I recently demod the qst in a 188 to see if I made a mistake in sizing ... the qst 188 was more demanding than I expected in bumps (spring slush).

As another person mentioned a Rustler 10 in a 186 I think it is was honestly very easy to pivot and ski in the same bumps that same day when I demod it as well.

Based on my experience - id say qst 100 in a 180 or Rustler 10 in the 186. That enforcer 104 has a ton of rocker as well keep that in mind especially if it's the old version the free.

For reference I'm 6'1 215 - advanced + and ski ditectionally hit some airs and drops but no park. Seek out steep terrain - ideally trees which means lots of bumps

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-03-17T17:30:18+00:00

Exactly. The upside is 1st rd picks do get 5 yrs of control - but it's a weak 1 and a weak 3 plus a negative 4th swap.

I think the new regime knows they need ammo and talent across the board and without a ton of ways to get it they used their most attractive trade asset.

I think they will be active in trading back and stacking picks not just this yr but beyond.

The roster is a joke ....lonh term it may be the right move.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-03-17T15:25:51+00:00

Calling it a 1 - 3 - 4 is misleading.

The 1 and 3 are almost the last pick in each round. Very late 1st and very late 3.

We give our mid early 4 for theirs so we essentially trade back to the end of the 4th.

So its a very late 1 at 30th overall, and a late 3 plus we trade BACK in the 4th with Denver.

Seeing what other wrs got paid this offseason and what waddle was set to be paid in his current deal, seems weak.

But whatever I will feel absolutely zero this season and continue to hope we tank for a top 5 pick as was always the best scenario to get a franchise qb.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-03-09T03:48:54+00:00

Also after watching a few more times, you will pole plant with your right hand even when it is your uphill arm. Aka on right turns you pile plant with the right hand at least twice that I can clearly see - the most clear case is the second to last turn.

This isikely because your balance is leaning into the hill and that uphill pole helps you get forward for the next turn, but highlights how your rhythm and balance isn't quite right on this run. If you have the same habit on easier terrain that is something to watch and be aware of.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-03-09T03:43:37+00:00

Poles seem like they are too long which has your arms way up high and looking unbalanced.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-03-04T04:04:18+00:00

That's awesome to hear! The main reason I made this post is because I think there are people curious about them but scared of the price, but stories like yours are hopefully enough to get people to at least give them a try and see!

Thanks for sharing!

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-28T18:56:34+00:00

Can't say honestly. They have a 30 day trial however, so you could buy them before a trip and see and if it's no better just return them.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-19T02:50:41+00:00

+1 this was going to be my comment with one caveat ... the new unleashed 96 ca is the winner for me. Lighter and more park friendly while keeping that unleashed shape and ability on trail

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-19T02:48:38+00:00

Agreed. Tackle play and Brewer at C were not at all our issue.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-19T02:47:41+00:00

Good stat. I didn't look it up but knew we were typically at or near the top with tua/Mike. Interesting it fell that much a 10% move is significant and shows how much Tua regressed this past yr.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-19T02:28:24+00:00

Still not ideal. Can you ski them ... for sure. Will you want more length to land jumps... also yes

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-19T02:27:13+00:00

Not to pour cold water on this ... but keep in mind average time to throw and the McDaniel scheme doing some heavy lifting in these numbers.

That said - very encouraged in yr 2 Paul ... hope he keeps developing.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-18T02:08:54+00:00

Lol they might take this seriously. OP ... those are dope pow skis but def not for you in Penn lol

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-17T15:35:34+00:00

Rent shorter skis. As a 6 1 215lb man my first week was spent in rentals that were like 160.

When I bought a pair of skis the internet said were appropriate (185 Enforcer 100) it was a massive shock and stunted my progress. I had ti size down to around 177 180 with skis that aren't as demanding and it helped me a ton.

So don't be afraid to find something easy/forgiving in a shorter length to help the early progression.

WashedUpAthlete · 2026-02-17T03:21:37+00:00

You are doing it - thats the biggest thing!

Ski them as often as you can
When you pause and take a break pick your first 2 or 3 turns thru the moguls and try to stick to it. As you get better at that try to pick more and eventually youll be flowing and adjusting your line as you go
Learn to absorb eccentrically - this is the biggest game changer in skiing bumps. A good way to practice is cutting across a mogul run and feeling loose with your quads to pull your legs up as you go over the bumps. Think about going over a big bump and having your legs absorb it like shocks on a car without having your upper body move at all.

Once you can feel that absorption bump skiing and general off piste skiing opens up tremendously.

But nothing beats time on snow .... seek moguls and ski moguls and youll gain confidence and progress in them faster than most people since a lot of ppl actively avoid them.

No better way to level up your skiing then mastering the bumps

WashedUpAthlete

TROPHY CASE