2024 Volkl M6 Mantra - SkiEssentials.com Ski Test

[@Smitty_Werbenjägermanjensen_db]

I bought the M6 at the end of the season last year based on the reviews on this channel. This season I’ve been flying down the groomers with them. Love this ski. 5’8” and running a 177.

[@jaredmayo7138]

I purchased these last yr and was blown away by them. My take away was that they do everything you expect but are also surprisingly manageable in the trees and at lower speeds while still feeling incredibly stable.

[@ticefelle]

Totally agree with these comments. Fabulous ski both on and off piste and also through trees😊

[@coltruger2553]

Love this ski. Warp speed with these babies!!

[@keith2076]

Great ski! did everything I asked it to...and FAST. The stability of the ski gave me the confidence to push my comfort zone and ended up clocking some real speed. Ended up getting the Kendo 88 tho as it went better with my Kore 105s, .....and got them from Skiessentials as you guys gave me such great advice! End of season price couldn't be beat (Phantom too)

[@SkiEssentials]

Awesome!

[@mikemassaro6576]

This ski won my demo test off this year. 2nd place was the Rossi Black Ops 98. Rossi was more playful but less stable on the bumps at speed. Mantra was so easy to carve and super damp on the bumps. When I pushed these at higher speed and hard carves they gave great feedback and came to life. Similar to the Nordica Enforcer but didn't feel as heavy as those. These reviews have been SO helpful in narrowing which skis I wanted to test. Thanks.

[@SkiEssentials]

Awesome! Thanks for the great feedback!

[@jimbok8360]

As always, great reviews from Bob and Jeff!

[@john-w4y4v]

Curtis is the BEST!!!

[@PCPAyLOAD]

Still rocking my 2008 Mantras with hammerhead tele. Super fast and aggressive long deep turns very stable. And did I mention fast?!..

[@danielturczyn6773]

Absolutely loved these up until the top sheet Titanal delaminated everywhere. Apparently it’s pretty common. No warranty, what would you guys recommend as a replacement ski that’d be similar in performance? I’m riding mainly off piste, steeps and tech lines but have the occasional groomer day trying to turn and burn the mantras alongside my expert ski carving friends. When Volkl reworks their mantra line to not delam, I’ll go back but a good ski should last longer that 2 years.

[@SkiEssentials]

Design does seem to outweigh durability in these frame skis--I do wonder if that'll be addressed in the future. In the meantime, for something in the mid-90's, check out the Blizzard Bonafide 97--going away after this year, so some good deals to be had! www.skiessentials.com/products/2024-blizzard-bonafide-97-ski-w-tyrolia-attack-14 Also, the Nordica Enforcer 94 has a lot to offer in terms of stability, power, and versatility. Also on sale: www.skiessentials.com/products/2024-nordica-enforcer-94-ski-w-tyrolia-attack-14-binding?ski%2520size=165

[@darinsmith2458]

I did try to demo these skis last year but they were all out... I did see a lot of people skiing them..

[@ronaguilar7342]

I'm going to be getting these planks. I can't wait!!!

[@SkiEssentials]

Have fun, go fast!

[@jameswhite1692]

Great review Bob. Definitely considering these for a return home to Quebec. Can I ask what length 170 or 177 - if you were 5'7", 185 pounds and an retired ski pro in his 50's...TIA.

[@SkiEssentials]

I'd go 170 unless you know you prefer longer skis. They can be a handful if above head high.

[@jameswhite1692]

Thanks dude - makes sense now as you said at 6 foot 2 you were charging on the 177s@@SkiEssentials

[@Smitty_Werbenjägermanjensen_db]

51 years old. 5’8”. Running the 177. Doesn’t feel like too much ski to me.

[@KarpiuBF]

Great review! I think i will go for this ski. Just can’t decide which length. I’m 175cm, 76kg should i go 170 or 177cm? I’ve been sking for years piste, off piste, powder etc.. just afraid to take longer skis..

[@Godfrey_Y]

I'm 176cm and 78kg, I got the 177 one.

[@KarpiuBF]

@@Godfrey_Y thanks :) do you like them? im worried i will have less control in short turns in trees if i go 177

[@SkiEssentials]

I think this ski can be skied shorter. The fact that you're somewhat hesitant about the 177 makes the case for the 170 all the more convincing.

[@P.Dionne]

Hi guys! I am looking for a more precise & more advanced ski to complement my current Volkl Blaze 96 (186cm). Something all mountain that would help me go further with my carving, grip better in icy conditions, while maintaining my ability to go off-piste and handle some powder. I’m leaning towards the Mentra M6 (184) but I am also considering Stockli Stormrider 95 (182 or 188). I am 6”5, 220lbs, and I am advanced level, and skiing mostly in the west, but also a few days in the East and Europe. Any advices on which model would suit me better? Thanks!

[@SkiEssentials]

The Mantra is the top end of the performance spectrum here in terms of power and precision. The Stockli is amazing, and is almost there at the top but it sacrifices a bit of performance for a smoother feel. If you're not sure, I think the Stockli has more to offer and t your size I'd go with the 188 in that ski.

[@scott48]

How does this ski compare to the rtm 86 which I have now. Thanks.

[@SkiEssentials]

The RTM is a pretty clean carver, but so is the Mantra. There's more energy out of the tail from the RTM, but overall, the Mantra is a very strong carving ski even at 10 mm wider and with more of an all-mountain shape. If you stay mostly to the trails, there's still a benefit for keeping it more front side-oriented with something like the Deacon 84, but if you're mixing on and off-trail but still want strong carving, the Mantra is tough to beat.

[@2bfluid]

Size question? 6'0" 215# hard charging ex-DH racer Torn between the 184 and the 191cm. Doubt there is a wrong answer. Primarily skiing the entirety Copper Mountain. But love to cruise at 50+mph Any similar skiers want to weigh in on 191 vs 184?

[@SkiEssentials]

the 191 is a lot of ski. I'm 6/2 225 and find that the 184 is pretty darn burly. That said, the 191 will feel a lot more composed at 50, it'll just be a lot more to wrangle at 20.

[@2bfluid]

Thank you for your input, it is appreciated. @@SkiEssentials

[@ddbear8786]

I have the 184 and take it up to about 50mph. Above that, maybe the 191 would be better but then you compromise on maneuverability in the trees. For cruising above 50 I would still prefer my 193cm HEAD GS FIS though for even better vibration control.

[@2bfluid]

@@ddbear8786 I hit 80mph with them, and was over 50mph at some point every day, and they had zero vibration issues, for me anyway. But a high-end race ski should outperform them for pure carving, but it would likely need to be a super G to do it.

[@ddbear8786]

@@2bfluid Wow 80mph on those skis is blazing fast. I was on the Volkl Mantra M6 and the HEAD GS FIS on two consecutive days taking them around 50mph and I definitely felt that the HEAD was a lot smoother. With the HEAD it was so silky smooth I didn't even realize the times when I was going 50+, I thought maybe it was 30mph until I saw the GPS readings. With the Volkl Mantra M6 I could feel the effect of the speed on the skis flexing/vibrating. I agree the M6 is very stable. But I could tell a noticeable difference. I'm sure that the average ski models would be sketchy at my typical speeds.

[@williamdenner5179]

How does this compare to the kendo 88 or the blizzard Brahma?

[@SkiEssentials]

There's more power because there's more material in the Mantra. The Brahma is smoother and more stiff torsionally, especially underfoot. Kendo is a narrower Mantra, so there's more quickness, but a bit less softer snow capabilities.

[@MilesPowelll]

I’m 5,6 and I just bought the 177 will this be ok ?

[@SkiEssentials]

Sounds a bit long to me, but it's all about preference.

[@Ydooo]

should I choose these or the salomon stance 96?

[@SkiEssentials]

The Stance 96 is a slightly easier-going version of the Mantra that is lighter, more flexible, and slightly more versatile. It doesn't quite pack the same punch as the Mantra when it comes to on-piste power, but I'd rather ski a Stance 96 most days as it's not as demanding.

[@Ydooo]

@@SkiEssentials I am a good skier I like to do allmountain, parks and enjoying the ride Idc about going that fast. Would you suggest the stance more than the mantra fo that too?

[@ddbear8786]

I love my Mantra M6. I used to race GS back in the college days. The longer turn radius and stiffness is nice. I take this up to around 50mph on the wide open flat groomers (if I go above that I would want my HEAD GS FIS ski for more mass and even better vibration control). The Mantra M6 is great for messing around on the crud banks on the side of ski runs. Since I am used to heavier skis, sometimes I accidentally clank the lighter M6 together because my muscle memory is for the ones that take more effort to turn. Despite the longer turn radius, these are great carving skis. Volkl has an amazing design here.

[@SkiEssentials]

Wonderful feedback, thanks for sharing!