Like a fairy tale princess, the Salomon QST Lux 92 was born in humble circumstances, endured an awkward adolescence and gradually transformed into a raving beauty. You see, the first edition of the Lux 92 was clearly intended for intermediates, first-time buyers and bargain hunters, as it sold for $499 and didn’t share much of the high-tech construction of its wider siblings, the Lumen and Stella. The latest Lux 92 has top-of-the-line features, including a full-length allotment of C/FX, the carbon and flax amalgam that provides the principal structural support for all the QST’s. Also onboard is a Titanal plate underfoot that improves stability throughout its mid-section.
The QST series is a unisex family, so the Lux 92 received the same bundle of upgrades as the “men’s” 2023 QST 92. Part of the 2023 package is a segment of injected ABS underfoot that boosts edge pressure in this critical zone. The combined effect of all these embellishments is an elevation in performance that makes the new Lux 92 one of the top performers in the genre. It isn’t $499 anymore, nor should it be, as its performance range now runs from the basement to the penthouse.
The 2023 QST Lux 92 is now so substantial that it can be skied in shorter lengths – its size range goes down to a 146cm – with no loss of stability. Sized properly, it won’t overpower a skier still learning the ropes, with a docile personality that doesn’t object to drifting.
Remember, the QST clan is intended primarily for off-trail use – QST is shorthand for Quest, Salomon’s term for skiing off the beaten path – making the Lux 92 ideal for a woman whose ambitions lie in that direction. Intermediates who want to cultivate their carving skills before traipsing into the trees should consider a narrower, Frontside model, such as Salomon’s Stance W 84, which has taken on the “best value” role and $499 price point of the original Lux.
