Volkl: Mantra Alpine Ski (Men's Skis)

[tgr pro]

<h3>Mantra Alpine Ski (http://www.tetongravity.com/proshop/mantraalpineski_VKL0040.html)</h3><p><em>The Volkl Mantra Alpine Ski rips like a race ski but, thanks to its wide shape, floats like a powder ski?the combination makes for a badass all-mountain destroyer.</em></p><p></p><p><img src='http://akamai.backcountrystore.com.edgesuite.net/images/items/medium/VKL/VKL0040/S170CM.jpg' ></p><br />Gear Pro Shop (http://www.tetongravity.com/proshop/mantraalpineski_VKL0040.html) All Volkl Gear (http://www.tetongravity.com/proshop/brand-volkl.html)

[squatch]

I would say it does not rip like a race ski...in fact its dimensions and taper specifically make it ski not like a race ski.

[Skifunbjorn]

i simply love the Mantras!
I ski them with a Marker duke binding and in a 184 cm length.
i just love the fact that you can take them everywhere and at any speed and they would never let you down!
To say that they carve like a race ski is a bit silly but they carve bloody well for a fat ski! I have taken them through race courses and at full tilt at Snowbasin's downhill course and felt utterly confident on them.
The Duke binding work so well with this skis and hold up really well. I have abused them for 2 winters and ski and binding show no sign of wear at all. No play and full power!!!
In tight bumps(zipper line) they can feel a little clunky but you can work around it.

An expert skier skier can really work these skis and would never wish for more, a lesser skier would probably like the stability and float but would probably be better on something softer... Maybe Head Monster 78, 82 or 88?

In 5 feet of Utah pow one of the boat-looking skis could have helped me more but other than that I am totally devoted to these my best buddies!

All the best!

B :FIREdevil

[DeepHelmet]

I ski these in the 191 and couldn't be happier. I'm 6'1" 215 and the length seems about right. Like posted above, a little clunky in short turns/bumps, but I avoid bumps like the plague. Good stability at high speeds and lots of edge. The faster the better in soft snow. Blasts through crud and even makes me look good sometimes.
If I got another ski, I'd probably get a super wide ski for the really deep snow, as the Mantra does sink a bit until the speeds get up.

[peck257]

The mantra is a great one ski quiver. It accels in the powder and can tear through crud. I would not say it rips like a race ski but it can hold its own on the powder. I am 5'7'' and 170 and I have been ridin the 170 and really like it. It skis great shorter--I like the shorter length because it makes it more manueverable especially in tight chutes.

[taz]

wow mostly men. ok. this ski I love, really love. I'm on the 184 and I'm a 5'11" chick. these babys just giv'er. I don't want any other skis but this one.

[skiing_is_partying]

im 5'8, 150lbs and ive used the 177 mantras. it just lays trenches in end of the day whistler crud. With that 21 (?) meter turn radius you can make even a slalom sized turn. these skis are super fun

[LogMahal]

I got the mantras last season and paired them with the Dukes. They are my go to ski for in bounds any condition skiing. They RIP beautiful turns, hold a beautiful edge, and even perform well switch. I love them in bumps, steeps, and I even land 540's with them even though they are not a true twin.
FLAWS: Not a true twin...c'mon the way the industry is going, unless you have a race ski why not make most ski's a true twin...appeal to the whole market.

Base is VERY THIN....coreshot central

and the edge does not wrap around the nose or have a nose guard. I slammed something and it ripped the edge out a bit from the nose. My volkl rep was very helpful with this problem though. overall I give them a 10 on performance and 7/8 on design i.e. base thickness and durability. good work volkl....