Völkl Mantra 2008

Most of us can't afford a private helicopter, and finding personal powder stashes usually requires a few ski lifts and traverses over crud, groomed and hardpack snow. A couple of years ago Volkl adapted to these realities with their Mantra, a ski with a more versatile sidecut that's easier to turn on packed snow than those unforgiving, powder-only skis. Expert skiers also found that the Mantra was better suited for glacier skiing where the wind often piles the powder deep in gullies while keeping the exposed ridges scored almost down to the blue ice. While several sports magazines and review guides gave the Mantra high marks in 2006, almost all suggested that the carving potential could be improved. This year Volkl refined the sidecut on the Mantra for better turns on hardpack, but the wide 96-mm. waist still gives the ski essential floatation in deep snow. Like other wide-waist Volkl skis, the Mantra ski has a tip-to-tail Sensorwood core and wood sidewalls for flex. Unlike some ski manufacturers who contract core work to third party companies, Volkl produces their own wood core to optimize quality and consistency in design with CNC precision. Volkl balanced this agile core profile with their Power Construction design to keep you completely in control wherever you need to go. Until you buy the personal helicopter for weekend trips, the Mantra will get you to your secret places, even if you have to traverse a few well-traveled ski runs. By the way--this version doesn't include bindings. If you're looking for ideas, Volkl pairs their skis with Marker bindings.

• Intended for expert freeriders who readily transition between deep powder and corduroy
• New refined sidecut for more carving possibilities than last season
• Sidecut (tip/waist/tail in mm.): 133-96-116
• Turn radius: 22.5 m. in 184-cm. length
• Sensorwood core made from vertically laminated poplar and beech wood
• Volkl Power construction