Volkl Mantra 2012
Written by Rick S. on 08/21

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Skier Height: 5’ 9” Skier Weight: 175lbs Skier Ability: Adv/Ex Ski length Tested:177cm

Ski Review:

First I should mention that I have skied Volkl’s, and Mantra’s specifically for about 8 years now.  My last Mantra’s were retired early last season with many, many fast miles on them.  I’m not sure of the model year, but they were the red ones with white paint brush looking strokes on them.  They were 184’s and fast as… well, you know.  So when they wore out finally, I was already sold on getting new Mantra’s.  I’d read the reviews, talked to a lot of people about the newer model (2011) and knew they are the ski for me.  Unfortunately, I listened to ski sales people who somewhere along the last few years have transformed themselves into a new version of the old used car salesmen.  I let them talk me into going to a shorter 177 cm.  Big mistake #1.  184’s are the perfect length for me.  Mistake #2: Not trying them before I bought them.  The new Mantra’s apparently have a different base material now because they are noticeably, and substantially SLOWER than my old Mantra’s.  I’ve had them tuned professionally, bought what a ski tech told me was the fastest wax available short of what the World Cup racers use and still, these things are SLOW.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I’m not trying to break world speed records here, but the faster a ski will slide on the snow, the less work they are to maneuver and thus, I can ski a longer day.  I don’t know what has changed in the base material but believe me, if you’ve skied Mantra’s previous to the 2011 model year, you too may notice a significantly higher level of resistance below your feet. 

So those are the low points that I’ve experienced.  On the upside these boards are nicely stiff.  Sufficiently so that they hold and handle well on steep, hard packed survaces.  I ski mostly in CO, in fact, I haven’t had this pair out of CO yet so I only have Rocky Mtn snow to rate these by.  I often ski in OR and UT as well, but haven’t yet with these skis.  I ski the trees and steeps at Vail, Beaver Creek, and A-basin 95% of the time.  The Mantra still holds up well in those environs though the friction constantly annoys me, especially when I inevitably encounter a low angle area where it’s difficult to maintain momentum.  I have Fritschi Freeride + AT bindings mounted on these.  They work fine with the AT setup but I keep saying I almost don’t need skins because the bases stick so much already.  That isn’t entirely true but you get my sarcasm.  On steep lines these boards are great.  They carve and hold an edge superbly.  With the shorter length than I like, I’m able to get through even narrower gaps in chutes, and cruise through tighter tree stands with ease.  As long as it’s steep enough to maintain momentum of course.  The graphics look much better than my old Mantra’s too.  In the 2011/2012 model, Volkl markets these as having “rocker” though I’m unable to see it in the ski myself.  I’ve spoken to a few other people who have them and they can’t find the “rocker” either, nor did they feel any effect of “rocker” when skiing.  I’m sure it’s there, but it takes somebody with a lot better eyes than myself or those I’ve spoken to to see it or feel it.  I’ve skied rockered skis plenty.  I can see it and more importantly, I can feel it.  I don’t get that with the Mantra.  I think maybe the guys at Volkl have run out of ideas for what to do with the Mantra and are just trying to come up with anything even if only cosmetic, to have something “new” to advertise each season.  I guess it’s just to uncool in the ski industry to not have changed everything, even if something was just rigtht already.  My advice to anyone looking at buying last season or this season’s Mantra: Demo some others before deciding to plop $700 bones on these.  With the prices of skis & bindings these days exceeding stratosphere levels, we should get something we love for our money rather than just helping used car (ski) salesman hit their quota’s.  I give the “new” Mantra a 6 on a 10-scale.  My old Mantra’s, c. 2005 I’d give a 9.5. 

I demo’d a pair of Kastle BMX 108’s last season.  There is a ski that is everything the Volkl Mantra was before, and now wishes it was.  Unfortunately for this middle incomer, $1100 is WAAAY to much to spend on a pair of flat planks.  Maybe I’ll find a deal on a used pair next season though.

Volkl Mantra 2012
Written by Rob Neubecker on 09/12

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Skier Height: 5’ 11” Skier Weight:170

Skier Ability: expert Ski length Tested: 177

Ski Review:  one of the all time greats. Very lively, very stable, quick, responsive, just fun. Like the old Mantra, great personality and no speed limit. Surprisingly good in deep powder, shines on groomers and ice at speed. Adequate in bumps. I use them for bombing corduroy between dumps. The slight early rise in the 2012 model makes turn initiation quick and easy- hooks right up and follows through with that characteristic Mantra authority. I considered the Kendo to replace my older red Mantras, looking for a more nimble ski- but I found the rockered Mantras quicker in turn initiation than the ‘12 Kendo while giving up none of the Mantra’s burly feel.