Hello,
Am looking to get my first set of touring skis. After many months of research and discussion, the Echos have seem to be a good fit.
I am new to touring, but would describe myself as an intermediate skier edging towards advanced with each day. Am 5'8" tall and 155lbs.
Looking for a forgiving ski that can do our powder here in the cascades, but also deal with spring conditions. So much of what I have read indicates that the Echo is a great all around ski that handles these conditions well. That said, there are some things I have read where this ski is recommended for a more advanced skier that can really push it hard.
Looking to find some perspective here.
Thank you.
Salomon QST Echo 106 Ski
Well, it finally happened. Salomon made a QST light enough to bring on longer missions. Working with Mr. Cody Townsend during his famous QUEST to ski the 50 classics, the designers managed to drop the weight of those unnecessary vowels. Behold the QST ECHO 106. Mixing some Karuba wood into the poplar core and using a cork damplifier in the tip and tail, they managed to retain enough of the QST’s ski performance while helping your save your leg muscles so you can actually ski them. Along with the cork, basalt fibers keep it damp while the friendly shape makes it intuitive to turn, especially in soft snow. The freeride profile is maintained so QST fans will instantly recognize the easy turn initiation as the tips plain up above powder and mank. Camber underfoot keeps it lively and you can whip it around even faster at the lighter weight, and it can still respond when you push into it. The Salomon QST Echo 106 will echo back the energy you put in, which should now be greater with less effort spent on the skin track.
- Karuba / Poplar wood core is a nice combo of lightweight energy.
- Robust double sidewalls are made with 100% recycled ABS plastic.
- Basalt Superlight fibers give the damp feel for which Salomon is known.
- Freeride Profile is designed for those off-piste encounters you’ll find in the wild.
- Cork Damplifier in the tip and tail absorb vibration while reducing weight.
- 30% recycled topsheet materials are painted with 70% cool graphics.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 157, 165, 173, 181, 189 |
|
Weight |
1530g [157] 1610g [165] 1710g [173] 1780g [181] 1945g [189] |
| Weight (pair) | 3060g [157] 3220g [165] 3420g [173] 3560g [181] 3890g [189] |
|
|
136-106-123 [157] 137-106-124 [165] 138-106-125 [173] 139-106-126 [181] 140-106-127 [189] |
|
Turn |
16m [157] 17m [165] 18m [173] 19m [181] 20m [189] |
|
Skin |
Rounded tip and thin flat tail |
| Specs Verified | 173+ only |
| Design | |
|
|
24% rocker tip, camber underfoot, 21% rocker tail |
|
|
Rounded & tapered nose, medium radius, squarish tail |
|
|
Double sidewall sandwich |
|
|
Karuba & Poplar wood |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Powder surfing, backcountry missions |
| Notes | Basalt & cork keep things damp |
| Bottom Line | Cody's secret weapon |
| Compare to other High-fat Skis | |
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Questions & Reviews
5/6/2024
5/6/2024
Hi Dave,
This wouldn't be a bad choice at all! The Echo is a great ski, very fun, and pretty forgiving. It is more of a powder ski in our opinion, and a beefier one at that. It would do well in Cascade conditions. I don't think a ski of this size and weight is strictly necessary as a Cascade daily driver/all-around touring ski, but it will ski very well and could make sense if you have a preference for wider skis and/or just want something that will feel like a resort ski. Otherwise, I'd consider going a bit narrower/lighter.
If you'd like to chat in depth about skis, please shoot us an email at help@skimo.co, or give us a call, and we can have a conversation!
This wouldn't be a bad choice at all! The Echo is a great ski, very fun, and pretty forgiving. It is more of a powder ski in our opinion, and a beefier one at that. It would do well in Cascade conditions. I don't think a ski of this size and weight is strictly necessary as a Cascade daily driver/all-around touring ski, but it will ski very well and could make sense if you have a preference for wider skis and/or just want something that will feel like a resort ski. Otherwise, I'd consider going a bit narrower/lighter.
If you'd like to chat in depth about skis, please shoot us an email at help@skimo.co, or give us a call, and we can have a conversation!
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4/8/2024
Hi, thanks for the review! I am a 5'10" 185 lb expert skier, usually aim for something around 183-184 cm for a touring ski. I have a pair of big objective movement alp tracks 98 at 178 that feel a little short. I am wondering what length you would suggest for the echos?
4/8/2024
Hi Pat, for the best mix of uphill and downhill capability, I'd go for the 181cm in your case. This is a much burlier ski than the Alp Tracks 98, so it'll feel more substantial. If you want to prioritize downhill performance, you could ski the 189cm at your height and weight, but it might get a bit unwieldy on the ups.
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1/12/2024
I'm not sure which length. Always had skis around 185cm - currently on a Helio 104 in 184. Hat a MTN95 in 184. Average skiier, 198cm tall, 80kg weight. Will be used as touring and inbounds ski.
1/12/2024
Hi Tom,
If you are using these inbounds and not just as a dedicated touring ski, at 198cm in height, I would lean towards the 189cm over the 181.
If you are using these inbounds and not just as a dedicated touring ski, at 198cm in height, I would lean towards the 189cm over the 181.
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12/11/2023
My 181 weighed 1870g/ski avarage.
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5/30/2023
Just wondering if anyone here has put some time in on these skis and can give a heads up on how they ski.
Cheers
Cheers
6/18/2023
Cillo,
I've only skied a couple of laps on these, but they're damp and like to turn. Thanks to the camber, they're very maneuverable, great in trees and steeps. The shorter effective edge makes them less ideal for high speeds or hardpack. But for an all-around adventure ski, they're great.
I've only skied a couple of laps on these, but they're damp and like to turn. Thanks to the camber, they're very maneuverable, great in trees and steeps. The shorter effective edge makes them less ideal for high speeds or hardpack. But for an all-around adventure ski, they're great.
7/10/2023
Hey Cillo, similar to Emmett, I've put a few laps on them. My resort ski is the QST 106 in 189cm, which I enjoy. The 189cm Echo felt quite similar to my QST 106's, albeit a little lighter and more maneuverable due to the lower swing weight. The recommended mounting position, for pin bindings, is a little forward relative to where I skied the Echo and QST, so no insight there. The 181cm felt good, light, and quite maneuverable compared to the 189cm length.
Overall, I think the Echo is a loose, playful, but still directional ski. For those that ski the QST 106 and or have a loose directional style, it could work quite well!
Overall, I think the Echo is a loose, playful, but still directional ski. For those that ski the QST 106 and or have a loose directional style, it could work quite well!
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2/21/2023
Who would have thought 4 years ago that Cody Townsend would become the most famous backcountry skier and force the venerable skimo.co to sell a ski that weighs almost 2kg
2/21/2023
Certainly not us! It will be an impressive feat to carry such planks up the 50, but I guess he is proving it can be done. Granted he only has to keep up with his camera sherpa and not you.
2/21/2023
>a QST light enough to bring on longer missions
>drop the weight of those unnecessary vowels
>still 1780g in 181
My Voile Hyperchargers say hello at 1,400g and almost exactly the same dimensions!
>drop the weight of those unnecessary vowels
>still 1780g in 181
My Voile Hyperchargers say hello at 1,400g and almost exactly the same dimensions!
1/30/2024
Cody's camera sherpa is Bjarne Salen. Not an easy guy to keep up with even with the extra load.
1/30/2024
Can't wait for the head-to-head race between Bjarne + camera and Ben.
Reply to this comment:
2/18/2023
Is there metal underfoot? Which size bit do I need for mounting these skis?
Thanks!
Thanks!
2/20/2023
Hi dang3rtown, we haven't drilled one just yet, but would start with a 3.5 and then move up to 4.1 if we hit metal. Sadly they aren't labeled.
9/18/2023
The Echo 106 does indeed have metal under foot.
9/19/2023
Thanks, Jessie, indeed it's a binding reinforcement plate.
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