Volkl Mantra M6 Ski Review and comparison to Volkl Mantra M5 Ski

[@joeblue7]

Intermediate Skier - mid 40’s - 5’-10” 200lbs. Was on Elan Explore 82 skis for 7 years - my first and only pair. Needed a big time upgrade felt these skis were Holding me back in getting better. I consider myself an intermediate skier, comfortable on blues and blacks. Most skiing done out west No so big on trees or moguls but will ride them occasionally I am still working on my carving technique still skidding down steeps, and love the occasional speed - have topped out at 46 MPH - I don’t consider myself an aggressive skier not getting any younger but I plan to improve my carving skills this year With practice. I didn’t want to get a ski that with time I would eventually overcome and stay stuck with I wanted a ski I would eventually work my skills and techniques into as I gain more experience and settle into it nicely. I don’t plan on buying another pair of skis in a loooong time as I am well invested in the Mantra M6. I did a lot of research on it and i understand it’s an overpowering and demanding ski. I am looking forward to the challenge. I am not concerned about the weight of the skis as I am in good shape and have strong legs turning won’t be an issue or fatigue. I am excited to purchase . Did I make a good choice?? honest thoughts? I am Ready to invest 👍👍

[@TheBeingReal]

If you want to improve your carving skills (always good!), the M6 is really not the tool. Awesome ski, but in the right conditions. What you want is a slalom ski as your packed snow tool. The M6 is a big radius ski, triple radius actually. I ski a Head eOriginal for carving, 12.1M radius, the eRace (not pro) is a milder 16M radius. It really is worth having a 2 ski quiver.

[@joeblue7]

@@TheBeingReal thanks!! Makes total sense. Appreciate the feedback.

[@davidedwards8669]

Best review have heard in a long time Great to hear someone talking on the level of the average skier . Laughed at the black diamond run almost had a heart attack. Brought back memories long ago black mountain joking around to launch off Sudan got to the edge near shit. my pants took my breath away . First launch off the mates said no not there. I’ll be fine two turns later. Crash by the time I got to stopping point near the bottom of the run skis and poles and bodies lying everywhere. Hilarious Thanks again M6 sound just right for me

[@JamesRook-cw1us]

Good review on the M6I currently own theM5 and watching this I am going to hold off on the M6 as I relate what you are saying about the M5 it’s an amazing ski for carving even with 96 mm under foot. I will jump on the kendo for a more playful ski. Thanks again for your input.

[@ronstewart5120]

Having grown up skiing on race skis and then Head Radials for recreational skiing in the Alberta Rockies and the interior of BC. I looked for a newer ski for years and always came away disappointed. In recent years I've spent a lot of time skiing at Whistler / Blackcomb and agree you need a ski at Whistler/Blackcom that is comfortable with dealing with "chop /crud" in the snow conditions. In 2019 I was introduced to the M5 Mantra while test driving different demo skis as part of a ski rental package. The M5's blew me away. Finally, I had found a ski that wouldn't kick out it's tails when I wanted to edge hard and cut into the snow and hard pack like all of the "carving / parabolic" skis seem to do. Literally, moments into my first ride I fell in love with those skis. In terms of the M5s and level of effort to ski them - they are definitely geared towards Intermediate --> Advanced Skiers. These skis just want to fly down the hill and you need to ensure that you are controlling your speed. I found the easiest way to do that was to adjust my skiing style (especially if a bit fatigued). I tend to like to create fairly tight (slalom like) turns on the hill. The challenge with that you need to turn a lot to control how fast the skis want to travel. In order to reduce the level of effort when skiing I would revert to a more GS (giant slalom) style of turn using more of the hill side to side. Having that said - I still love my M5s and will not be looking for another ski for a very long time.

[@bryangaughan410]

Good comments on the M5 and I agree on the type of skiing you need to do with them. They want to go fast but you need to control them. I was looking at the M6 but I ski similarly to you so I think I will just stay with my M5 as well. Thanks.

[@nicholas5396]

Sounds like you may want to give the Mantra 102 a try. The new one uses the same 3d radius sidecut and construction but is a bit more burlier then the M6.

[@Wesleybaker2012]

Thank you for this review! I’m deciding between the two right now

[@robertesell]

Glad I could help!

[@blaw9571]

I own 2023 Kendo, 2022 Fischer ranger 94 and 2017 bonafide. I agree with a lot of what your saying. I’m a big blizzard fan and have skied the bonafide the most. But the ski I’m enjoying the most is the Ranger. Especially when I’m skiing multiple days in a row. I would encourage you to look into the Ranger line . But if you need that hard charger get a bonafide or Brahma and ski that on day 1 then switch to your mantra on day 2 when your legs are not as fresh .

[@GregoryStoner]

When I came back to skiing I started on the Mantra M5, 177 cm after long break, as you said it can be bit of bruiser, but fun to get up on edge. I am now skiing mostly down at Purgatory in SW Colorado these day but go over to Wolf Creek and Teluride for bigger mountain experience. I do recomend trying and even more playful frontside ski to see what it like. I started riding a Black Crow Mirus Cor, that is a fun carver that also saves your legs, it not ideal for skiing on ice, but you can feather the edge running over the ice patch. When it is hard snow now I ride Stokli AX. But have shorter turn radius Mirus is 13 m, and AX about 16 m, more in the Slalom radius turns size. M5 is 20 m radius more long GS like turns. I went narrower and shorter radius since I have been working on improving with CARV. Big snow day ski is QST106. I am not kid anymore so do not run bump much anymore like you. Have fun with the M6 remember it has multiple arc point so how you ski it is how you access the turn radius, it can be as long as M5 or shorter if you ski it mid ski.

[@robertesell]

Hey thanks. Some amazing ski options there. I was looking at those as well. Which one is your favorite?

[@GregoryStoner]

@@robertesell Currently the Mirus Cor, it just fun to ski, and does what you ask it, I am just starting the AX journey so I be able to tell you more soon

[@GregoryStoner]

I would say going smaller waist on the ski was right direction, I have to. remember I was skiing 67 mm waist ski in the late nighties that were consider all mountain skis.

[@darinsmith2458]

I was on the Mantra 102s and I really liked them... I have to get on the M6

[@bryangaughan410]

Finally, someone that reviews both skis. I haven't found anyone that would give me a good comparison even from the expert reviewers. Some say there was a subtle difference and others a major difference. I still have an old pair of Volkl Unlimited AC 30 and still ski them too. I did get the Mantra M5 skis and loved them the one day I skied them but not on them again since. An off ski season injury (torn Achilles' tendon) sidelined me before the M6 came out so never skied them or my Mantra M5 skis. As with most Volkl skis of this level they are best skied hard. I am like you and not getting younger and ski advanced to expert. So wondering, do you keep them both and ski accordingly? Just wondering if it is worth getting the Mantra M6 as well or go with maybe the Blizzard as you mentioned. Great review by the way.

[@robertesell]

I sold my M5s and regret it. While the M6 is a great ski, having that history with the M5 makes me compare and I miss that wilder version. She was wild and sometimes out of control but omg she was fun to hang out with. The M6 is more sophisticated but in my humble opinion, also a bit too refined.

[@bryangaughan410]

Robert. I appreciate your response. I agree they do want you to pay attention and may not forgive you if you don't stay on them but when you do... Well that seems to be my Volkl experience anyway. We can always look at the advertising info and hype but until you try them yourself that is when you know what the ski can do for you or your preference. When I first got the 2009 AC Unlimited 30, I never skied a Volkl ski but they did everything they said they would and still does. I will use the M5 this year and will keep them no matter what. Also I just did ordered a new pair of the 2023 M6 at a great price; under $600 to my door with bindings. The M6 hasn't changed since it's introduction and I prefer the graphics on the 2023 anyway so I figured why not? Probably will not buy another pair of skis anyway for a long time - OK, a good thought but we know we will don't we? The one guy at the shop said he uses his M5 as a front side hard charger and uses the M6 for the other stuff but still has some of the characteristics of the M5. So maybe as you say a bit too refined but may give you some versatility elsewhere. I am looking forward to skiing both to determine how I will use them. Hope you have a great ski year coming and your review was good and helpful because I know a little about Volkl so your information was not lost or having me try to guess. Later.

[@josefschefer580]

Would be great to see/hear how you feel about the difference of the M5 vs M6? Let us know!

[@cbrlucifer]

Really great review, thanks!

[@chadridsdale9970]

Try an enforcer 94

[@robmanzanares]

Than you

[@2204JCM]

I agree the Mantra isn’t for you. But I love the mantra.

[@JamesRook-cw1us]

Good review on the M6I currently own theM5 and watching this I am going to hold off on the M6 as I relate what you are saying about the M5 it’s an amazing ski for carving even with 96 mm under foot. I will jump on the kendo for a more playful ski. Thanks again for your input.