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Reviewers' score
16.9
BEST SKI

BEST SKI

Völkl Mantra review 2017

BEST SKI
Best ski 2017

PROSKILAB™ reviewers' comments

With several "Best ski" awards under its belt in recent years, Völkl's Mantra is one of the best skis on the market in this category. It remains top again this year, despite the increasingly strong competition in this highly lucrative segment.

The ski doesn't seem to have changed since last year, and confirms its main quality: its totally amazing on/off-piste versatility!

On piste, the Mantra has a lively and playful character. Initiation is remarkably fast and easy, giving the impression of real lightness under foot. Turn performance is excellent from every angle. The excellent grip means you can engage in hard, steep terrain with no worries.

Easy turn initiation, tolerant (as long as you don’t ski too far forward), shifting very easily from carves to skid turns, it's a very user-friendly and comfortable ski that demands little physical or technical engagement. Whether you're out for audacious tricks or skiing "cool", this ski can do it...

The ski reiterates its excellent performance and easy handling off-piste, where the ski remains stable even in the crud or on uneven surfaces. Flotation in deep snow is excellent and rotation remains very easy, even in transformed snow.

We recommend the Mantra to a wide range of riders, first because of its great accessibility, which means intermediary to good skiers will be able to make progress both on and off-piste. Second, more experienced skiers looking for a sharp tool to cut a dash on all terrains will love its fantastic versatility.

Review: Pros

  • Lively and playful
  • An easy and tolerant ski, light under foot
  • Grippy and stable
  • Easy carve/slide/skid transition
  • Cushions the terrain and rides through crud

Review: Cons

  • Lacks stability at very high speeds

The ski review scores

Turn initiation
☆☆☆☆☆
19.3
Stability
☆☆☆☆☆
14.5
Stability/turning performance
☆☆☆☆☆
14.5
Grip
☆☆☆☆☆
16.0
Short turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
20.0
Long turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
17.0
Skid turn performance
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Handleability
☆☆☆☆☆
17.0
Comfort
☆☆☆☆☆
17.0
Snow contact
☆☆☆☆☆
16.0
Soft snow fluidity
☆☆☆☆☆
17.0
Freeride - Flotation quality
☆☆☆☆☆
17.0
Handling in powder
☆☆☆☆☆
18.5
Performance on hard snow
☆☆☆☆☆
15.7
Freeride - Performance on hard snow
☆☆☆☆☆
15.3
All-terrain comfort
☆☆☆☆☆
17.5

Who's it for?

Beginner → Beginner

Manufacturer's remarks

Never change a winning team! A benchmark model, the Mantra retains the same shape and Full Rocker design. The construction in titanal also remains the same for maximum power transmission. The Mantra is still highly versatile, with an extremely wide range of uses, giving direct and precise performance on the groomed runs, and playful and adapted performance off-piste.

Features of the Mantra

Brand : Völkl
Model : Mantra
Year : 2017
Family : All-mountain/Freeride
Size tested : 184 cm
Tip size : 132 mm
Waist size : 100 mm
Tail size : 118 mm
Radius for the size reviewed : Not available

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Reviewed by PROSKILAB™

in La Clusaz, France, March 2016