M7 mantra w review

Overview

The M7 Mantra W is the women's version of Völkl's 96 mm all-mountain ski for 26-27. Völkl calls it a ski for demanding freeride skiers who push their limits in any conditions, and describes the M7 Mantra as a mix of the powder-loving Mantra 102 and the piste skills of the Mantra 88. It uses the same 139-96-121 mm shape in all five lengths, 149, 156, 163, 170 and 177 cm, and Völkl publishes a weight without binding for every size, from 1610 g at 149 cm to 2090 g at 177 cm (1800 g at 163 cm). The build is Völkl's current Mantra platform: Tailored Titanal Frame, Tailored Carbon Tips, a Multilayer Woodcore and the 4 Radius Drive sidecut, with a Tip & Tail Rocker profile. It is a flat ski; Völkl recommends the Marker Squire 12 TCX.

On-snow performance

On paper the M7 Mantra W is a directional, damp all-mountain ski that wants an active skier. The 4 Radius Drive sidecut splits the edge into four zones: a tight radius in the first centimetres of the shovel for quick turn entry, a very open radius between shovel and binding for stability at speed, a tight radius underfoot for short turns, and a medium radius behind the binding to finish the turn. At 163 cm Völkl lists 23, 37, 13.7 and 18 m for those four zones. That mix suggests a ski that carves short turns on groomers but stays calm when you open it up. The Tailored Titanal Frame sits over the sidewalls in the tip and tail, with a second, thinner titanal layer underfoot, which points to strong edge grip on hard snow and good damping in chopped-up snow. Tip and tail rocker with camber in the middle should help the 96 mm waist float in soft snow and release in moguls and trees. At 1800 g per ski at 163 cm it is one of the heavier women's skis in this width, so expect stability first and playfulness second.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: Multilayer Woodcore, with hardwood next to the sidewall for power transfer and edge grip and a lighter, more flexible wood in the center to save weight.
• Metal: Tailored Titanal Frame, a titanal frame along tip and tail whose width is matched to each length (less titanal in short sizes for agility), plus a thinner titanal layer in the binding area.
• Tips: Tailored Carbon Tips, carbon fibers embroidered along the stress lines for a light, precise shovel.
• Sidecut: 4 Radius Drive, the follow-up to Völkl's 3D Radius Sidecut.
• Sidewall and base: Full Sidewall ABS; sintered P-Tex 2100 base with a brushed structure and Serial Finish.
• Profile: Tip & Tail Rocker, camber in the middle.
• Dimensions: 139-96-121 mm in every length.
• Center radius (R3): 10.8 m (149), 12.2 m (156), 13.7 m (163), 15.2 m (170), 16.8 m (177).
• Weight without binding, per ski: 1610 g (149), 1690 g (156), 1800 g (163), 1910 g (170), 2090 g (177).
• Flat ski, no plate.

Who it's for & comparisons

The M7 Mantra W is for strong women who ski the whole mountain at speed and want metal-ski grip and calm more than a light, loose feel. Inside Völkl's range it sits between the Volkl Mantra 88 w, the piste-first option at 1710 g in 163 cm, and the Volkl Mantra 102 w, a wider and heavier soft-snow ski that starts at 170 cm. The unisex Volkl M7 mantra uses the same 139-96-121 mm shape and goes longer, so taller skiers should look there. Against rivals, the Blizzard Black Pearl 97 is a lighter, more forgiving 97 mm ski at 1750 g in 159 cm; the Kästle Sublime 93 W is narrower at 92 mm and weighs 1710 g at 170 cm, 200 g less than the M7 W at that length; and the Head Kore 93 Ti W is a lighter titanal option at 1705 g in 170 cm. The new K2 Mindbender 96 w has the same waist and is lighter at 1630 g in 168 cm.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Tailored Titanal Frame gives strong edge grip and damping for a 96 mm ski.
• 4 Radius Drive mixes quick short turns with stability at speed.
• Five lengths from 149 to 177 cm, with weight and radius published for each.
• Tip and tail rocker adds float and easier release in soft snow and moguls.

Cons

• Heavy for a women's 96 mm ski, at 1800 g per ski in 163 cm.
• Directional and demanding; it needs an active skier to come alive.
• Too heavy to make sense as a touring ski.
• Less loose and playful than lighter wood-and-carbon rivals.

Verdict: The M7 Mantra W is the damp, grippy women's Mantra for strong skiers who want one 96 mm ski for groomers and off-piste. Choose a lighter ski such as the Black Pearl 97 if you want an easier, more playful feel.