Volkl Mantra vs One of the Line Prophet series

[gabertoothtiger]

I am trying to decide which ski is going to fit my need better. I would like to use it both inbounds and backcountry. I ski in Montana Idaho Wyoming and Utah and have been skiing for 18 years. I like what I have seen concerning the Prophet series but I have drooled over the Mantras. Does either ski have an advantage over the other or it is mainly a price issue? Thanks
Snowing in Montana

[Howie]

If i recall correctly, the Prophets are alot stiffer than Mantras(It's been a while since i flexed them, so i might be wrong), and Line's are a full twin.
I haven't skied any of them, But if you like soft skis, I'd go with the Völkls.

[njfreeskier]

If i recall correctly, the Prophets are alot stiffer than Mantras(It's been a while since i flexed them, so i might be wrong), and Line's are a full twin.
I haven't skied any of them, But if you like soft skis, I'd go with the Völkls.

Just the oppposite...

The mantras have a full layer of metal and are super stiff. They are like a fat gs ski. Based on what you described I would definitely go with the prophet 100. They are just as good on the groomers, plus they float a hell of a lot better in the soft stuff and a much more fun, versatile ski. Plus the bases are much more bomber.

[nsk040]

+1 for njfreeskier. Though the Mantra is like 96 under foot, it's very much a GS ski-pretty stiff. You won't have much fun on the Mantra OB. I'd say the Prophet 90 or 100 is what you need.

[gretch6364]

I have skied both and absolutely love my Mantra's...but if you are going to be touring, I would go with the prophets...they are a nice and light ski...both are absolutely awesome skis....the Mantra is pretty turny and sometimes hooks in deep snow.

[srsosbso]

I had mantras for a half season and unloaded them. I found they had too much sidecut for steeps and soft snow, and that was the earlier 130-94 incarnation. If anything I think the new ones have even more cut to them, like 133-96 or something. The prophet also has a bunch of sidecut, but a bit less than the mantra.

[Sparwood Dave]

I'd go Prophet too but don't take my word for it. There are more than 40 related threads in the Tech Talk Search function. Take a look.
http://tetongravity.com/forums/searc...archid=6986758

[gunniride]

100s.
prophet or karhu

Next time try an extensive search first, then post specifics of what you COULDN'T gather from previous posts.

[cowdog]

Just to add one more confusing opinion. I like the Mantras over the P100s. Mantras are more stable, and I find the wider tail on the P100 doesn't release as smoothly from turns. And although the P100 is more phloatly/turny at slower speeds in the pow, I don't know that one is really that much better than the other for pow performance. Neither ski is a wow pow performer relative to other skis out there. Heck, both are even on the narrower side for "all-mountain" these days.

But it does seem that people lean one way or the other. A buddy who has both 184 Mantras (red ones) and 186 P100s (both mounted with Freerides) tends to like the P100s better.

[gabertoothtiger]

Thank you all very much I was leaning toward the prophet 100's and I am stoked to see so many replys. I am 5 ft 6 and have never ridden anything above a 175. What size would you reccomend

[PowTron]

^^^^I'd recommend that you search for THAT info as well, but seeing as you are not going to...get a Prophet 100 179, go out and ski, rinse and repeat.

Jeebus

[Sparwood Dave]

As it says in many many posts, they are twins and ski real short. What do you weigh? If more than 160 pounds maybe go 186 but if you weigh less do like PowTron says and go 179.

[gabertoothtiger]

Thank you very much

[todug27]

mantras absolutely rip, crud, hardpack, variable snow. that being said, i didnt really enjoy them as much as i should have in powder. although i've never skied the prophets, i wouldn't want the mantras ob at all.

[axebiker]

I'd like to have two sets of Mantras -- one pair mounted alpine, and one pair mounted tele. It sure would make packing a lot easier.

[XavierD]

The prophet sounds more up your alley. But you can do better then either, imo. I would look into blizzards new 100ish twin, I had some good times on that.

[Wetdog]

The prophet sounds more up your alley. But you can do better then either, imo. I would look into blizzards new 100ish twin, I had some good times on that.

I have a pair of Mantra's mounted with Naxo N21's. They were intended to be used as a resort back country ski, but I didn't really like them in the BC. They are too heavy for touring, too hooky for variable conditions, and really don't ski the deep as well as some of my other skis. I think even my old head im 85's ski powder better and they are 10mm narrower! The only reason I kept the Manta is for carving groomers and hero snow, which they do really well with all that side cut. My Legend Pros and formerly my Explosives, are far better in crud and difficult deep snow. I replaced the alpine bindings on my old 04/05 Gotamas with Freerides a few years ago and they make a much better resort BC ski than the Mantra, being lighter with less side cut. Though I have never skied the Prophets, they are more in the tradition of the Gotama and, given a choice between the two, I would lean towards that ski for mixed use.

[Beyond]

"why would put a light binding on a heavy ski?" says gumby

Guy also is ignorant. Mantras are weirdly light (go check ski weight sticky). Lighter than the Prophet 100 by 80-100 gms, recall. That's why you see so many with AT setups back east.

That said, both good but really different skis. Have owned a bunch of Mantras, demoed 90 and 100 Prophets. Mantra rules in crud and variable, slight advantage on ice, Prophet in pow, tight places, bumps. Perhaps you need to prioritize.

Neither would be my choice for over 1/3 western backcountry, though.

[skimaxpower]

I know I'm just gonna go and fuck it all up for you, but:

If you looking for a touring ski in the 100mm-ish category, don't rule out the K2 Hardside. It's got similar sidecut to the Mantra, but better pow performance, as it's a tad softer and has ROCKER. I bought a pair and I've been very happy. I still like the Mantra better on ice, but the Hardside is better on crud and pow.

You can pick up the Hardside right now for $400 at REI

[lemmycaution]

i have prophet (90's actually) that i use as my day to day skis in the east. one good thing about them as stated above is the bases- very durable, pretty hard to get a core shot in on them. they are going to become more my second set next season but they performed well in nearly every condition i got them in, and 100's would be better where the 90's were limiting.

[BroGnar]

These

[axebiker]

I'd like to have two sets of Mantras -- one pair mounted alpine, and one pair mounted tele. It sure would make packing a lot easier.

Ironically, that's exactly what will be happening this week!

[PDManseau]

I was trying to make that same decision this past winter, I went with the Mantras as they rip. Now mind you I am an east coast skier(almost exclusively) and love to let them run. I have found the sidecut to be decent not too short the prophet 100s actually have a shorter sidecut in similar lengths. Which ever you choose I don't think that you can go wrong. I know people on the Prophets and I wouldn't change my Mantra's for anything. The suggestion of the Blizzards though is also a good one. I am picking up a pair of the Answer's, but the new Reasons next year are supposed to have a touch of rocker and 0 camber should be a fun ski.
-Phil

[axebiker]

Just wondering if Dynafit bindings will work w/ volkl mantra or is mantra too much of ski?

WAT?

[talus]

didn't think so. the mantra are some heavy duty shit a heavy duty binding would apply so ft12 dynafit would fit the bill. I would like to go lighter but i'm 5'11" 180 lbs I think anything less would just pop.