By bringing lightweight touring as a possibility to the QST line, the Echo 106 is a prime performer. Answering the call for a lighter weight version of the omni-popular QST 106, the Echo steps right in line. Skis like Nordica Enforcer Unlimited and Blizzard Hustle have taken the existing shapes and profiles of their most popular freeride skis and have lightened the load, aiming for more of a 50/50 crowd in terms of touring and resort skiing. Generally, these skis have been on the heavy side for touring only, but it seems like their general goal is to make it lighter than the existing/parallel model. In the Echo 106, we’re using the QST 106 as the footprint, and a lot of similar construction from Salomon’s line, but with a different overall character. This ski is more aligned with putting a touring or hybrid binding on it and using it primarily as an uphill setup, but we wouldn’t fault you at all for going straight alpine either and using this as a resort-specific ski. Basically, they’re opening up the QST 106 to a wider audience with the Echo, specifically those skiers who felt the regular 106 was on the heavy and lumbering side. This ski returns unchanged for the 2025 season.
