2023 Volkl Mantra V.Werks

The fresh graphics of the 2023 Volkl Mantra V.Werks touring/backcountry/freeride/all-mountain skis blur a whole lot of lines while carving fresh ones. They're built with such technological precision that they can cross over into the resort world as well, but their true calling is in the backcountry. Based loosely off of the older Mantra shape with a 99 mm waist, they have tip and tail rocker to help with flotation. Starting with a multi-layer light wood core, the skis are feather-light to begin with. Now to add some performance to the recipe, Volkl uses their 3D Ridge but makes it out of carbon. This gives the ski its power and precision. It gets pretty stiff at this point, since carbon in a 3-dimensional application gets a lot stiffer than just a flat sheet or stringers. When the carbon is given a structure, it gets stiffer, as is evident in bikes, wings, and other applications. In the ski, it gives the light wood core something to really bite into, thus giving the skier a higher end of performance and precision. Additionally, the skis have a titanal band that runs through the center, and this gives the ski even more longitudinal stiffness without adding the weight of a full sheet. All of these technological advances make the Mantra V.Werks a top-end option for skiers looking for that touring and resort versatility-the one ski that really does it all. Skin pin holes and an ice-off topsheet round out the touring aspect of the ski, and in soft snow, the moderate taper makes for smooth powder turns and transitions.

Ryan Darlow skied the 178 and noted it skis true to length. His high scores of 4 out of 5 were given for quickness, maneuverability, torsional stiffness, and edge hold. 3’s followed for flotation, stability, and overall impression. Ryan notes that the “Tips are super light, which makes you feel like you can fall forward but it holds on. The ski takes a while to initiate but is then super snappy. You need to stay with the ski through the turns or it shoots you out the end of them. Not a very damp ski. It would be a nice resort touring ski in soft snow and light snow but not great for firm snow or heavy snow.”

We had a father/son duo ski these over the years as well. First, the son Josh, who skied the 186 cm length in the V.Werks. He notes that this is a good length for him, mostly because of the weight. Coming in at 1690 grams per ski in the 178, his test length wasn't much heavier. Josh gave the skis high marks for quickness, maneuverability, and playfulness, with those categories earning 4's and 5's out of 5. For a ski this light, we'd hope it's quick! Josh notes that "it is a great, quick turning, maneuverable ski. It is so light that it really likes turning and going where you point it to go. You can ski on this ski all day and not have tired legs, which is literally the exact opposite of the normal Mantra." But to have a ski that is that light and quick, you have to give up something, and Josh found it to be stability. "I honestly thought the amount of carbon in this ski made it twitchy. The carbon does not make it forgiving at all and doesn't like absorbing bumps well." Everything is going to have a downside, and if you're looking for a ski for hard snow and moguls, this is probably not the best option out there. But if you're looking for something that is stiff and light and will take you wherever you want to go, the Mantra V.Werks is at the top of its class. Father David actually owns a pair of the 186's and uses them primarily in a touring application. Like his son, David gives the skis top scores of 5 out of 5 for quickness, maneuverability, and playfulness. His lowest score of 3 for forgiveness is not surprising given the stiffness of the ski. We see David out there on the hill skiing these in an alpine setting as well, so it's safe to assume that he's a fan of the overall performance and versatility of the V.Werks. David notes that "if someone is looking for a ski that can be used on-trail or off, this is a great choice. I actually grabbed one for myself and mounted it with a touring setup. Total versatility. Light for climbing and solid for carving. The lightness and sidecut allows the ski to come around quickly for maximum flexibility in the tightest spots."

Agreed, David, the Mantra V.Werks not only has the versatility of a regular all-mountain ski, but also that of a product that can be used in both resort and backcountry settings. These days, there are a lot of skiers out there looking for that type of flexibility in their gear. Whether it's a one-ski quiver for both resort and adventure, or strictly a backcountry ski you're looking for, the 2023 Volkl Mantra V.Werks is ready and able to handle a wide variety of terrain and snow conditions.