Our Finesse favorites are all about ease, and the Salomon Q-105 belongs in the Easy-Peasy Hall of Fame for Fat Skis. If mastering powder is still on your to-do list, or if you just want to make it an easier exercise, the Q-105 belongs on your to-ski list. Its go-along-to-get-along attitude travels well to the groom and mixed snow conditions and its lightweight construction makes it more maneuverable no matter where you roam.

Its blunt, honeycomb tip is more useful as a buffer in broken terrain than as a turn initiation instrument on the groom, tipping the Q-105’s test scores in favor of its off-trail attributes. The Q-105’s lightweight monocoque construction helps this relatively wide ski feel quick, responsive and easy to steer at the slower speeds more cautious skiers proceed at in unpredictable off-trail conditions.

Building a lightweight, responsive ski that skis skinnier than it width is right in Salomon’s wheelhouse, so the Q-105 plays to Salomon’s strengths.   Cost-efficient production is also a Salomon strength, which allows Salomon to price the Q-105 a bit below the market norm for the category.