Volkl Mantras

[Brettski]

Anyone have a review or any experience with these skiis?

http://www.volkl.com/ski/freeskiing_mantra.html

 

[BeanoNYC]

I just picked up a pair with Marker Freeride 12's. I only have one day on them, plus about an hour of demo but I really like them. For a fat ski, they really rip on the groomers. They turn like a skinnier ski and can handle ice fairly well. (all things considered.) They're great in the trees as the waist keeps you up on the powder but they turn real quick. I'm not a good bump skiier by any means but I held my own on these. My friend has the same BSL as me and tried them on. This guy can rip and he made mince meat out of the bumps on them. As a side note, they make this really cool windchime noise when skiing over frozen granular and chickenheads. What's your bsl? If it's the same, I'll meet up with you someday and let you give em a try.

 

[TheBEast]

I just got a pair and will be shredding them tonight and tomorrow at Berkshire East. I would dido what the prior post said. Supposed be super sweet ski, quick, handle the groomers and dices the snow like butta! I'll let you know what I find .....

 

[riverc0il]

Here are my thoughts on the Mantra:
http://www.thesnowway.com/2007/03/21/volkl-mantra-demo-review

Executive summary: I could feel the quality of ski immediately and had great respect for its power but it was not the ski that I was looking for. I actually enjoyed it more on the groomers than in the trees or powder which for what I was looking for was a complete deal breaker. I think a mid-fat would be a better quiver of one for an east coast skier that only occasionally dabbles in powder but this ski is definitely not a dedicated powder board, there are better tools for the job. Worst ski I have ever taken through moguls and slow to come around in the woods. Just my experiences, your best to demo yourself as there are a lot more fans of this ski than nay sayers. Not that I am a nay sayer, just was not the ski I was looking for.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Here are my thoughts on the Mantra:
http://www.thesnowway.com/2007/03/21/volkl-mantra-demo-review

Executive summary: I could feel the quality of ski immediately and had great respect for its power but it was not the ski that I was looking for. I actually enjoyed it more on the groomers than in the trees or powder which for what I was looking for was a complete deal breaker. I think a mid-fat would be a better quiver of one for an east coast skier that only occasionally dabbles in powder but this ski is definitely not a dedicated powder board, there are better tools for the job. Worst ski I have ever taken through moguls and slow to come around in the woods. Just my experiences, your best to demo yourself as there are a lot more fans of this ski than nay sayers. Not that I am a nay sayer, just was not the ski I was looking for.

Great review. Have you had a chance to get out on this year's model? I never got out on a pair of mantras last year and was would love to hear some comparison reviews. I just cant seem to find much comparison on the internet.

 

[riverc0il]

I have only demoed last year's model. From what I understand, there is not much difference. I think there was some discussion on whether they added a tad more beef to it or not but I can not recall for certain.

 

[lloyd braun]

Mine are falling apart and need to be replaced.

If anyone has a pair of 177cm for sale please PM me.

Amazing everday ski for the west, the Gotama is a better powder ski.

Lloyd

 

[TheBEast]

Great review. Have you had a chance to get out on this year's model? I never got out on a pair of mantras last year and was would love to hear some comparison reviews. I just cant seem to find much comparison on the internet.

I skied mine for the first time Saturday with 6 inches of blower at Berkshire East. Having never skied something larger than 70 mm under foot (the Mantras are 92 mm) this was an amazing ski. I'm an expert skier who loves the woods/bumps, all lengths of turns and the occasional high speed cruising. They were very quick and had no issues in the woods. On the groomers they held their own and actually performed quite well. I did find that they did carry quite a bit of speed if you open them up with big GS turns. While they are not as responsive as the K2 Apache Crossfires I own, they had great float and just ripped up the powder and crud that followed once it had gotten skied. I don't think you can go wrong with the ski. No chatter from the tip and the two sheets of metal in the core of the ski make it super stable at all speeds. So for my first powder skis I think this will be a welcomed addition to my quiver. Some folks I've heard are making them their every day ski, but for the hard pack that can occur on the East I'm not sure I'd want to give up a narrower ski under foot just yet. Trip to Jay Peak for 4 days this week so we'll see how they do in the Jay woods and bumps......

 

[madskier6]

the Gotama is a better powder ski.

Lloyd

I totally agree Lloyd. The Gotamas rule as a powder ski for my needs (even in the East)!