2025 Volkl M7 Mantra

It’s been a minute since we’ve seen updates to the Mantra. Mantra has been one of the most influential skis of all time. With each iteration, we see Volkl use their mastery of engineering and design to push the boundaries of what a ski is capable of. With the 2025 Volkl M7 Mantra, we see changes in the tip design and turn shape to create an even more capable carver with less effort and more smoothness. Power has never been an issue for any Mantra—it's always been one of the more demanding skis on the planet. Recently, Volkl has discovered how to make that power more approachable. It’s kind of like how ebikes have opened access to more riders on the trails. See that for what it is, but there’s no denying that technology and innovation have re-shaped how we see the mountain and the hills. With an aim towards bringing more turning and carving capabilities to the ski, M7 is the place to be for limitless precision and power.

With a similar build overall, the M7 still uses a multi-layer wood core consisting of poplar and beech. Volkl puts the denser beech in the underfoot zone as well as along the edges to boost the performance in the areas in which it’s needed the most. We get slight alterations to the Tailored Titanal Frame, mainly with an emphasis on increased durability. The tail portions, which have been known to delaminate due to skiers crossing or clacking tails together, isn’t as sharp as before, theoretically reducing issues in this area. The lower metal layer remains full and intact. By using different widths of metal in the frame layer, Volkl specifies the needs of each individual ski to promote a custom feel per length. Volkl’s Tailored Carbon Tips keep the ski quick and precise in the front while reducing swing weight. This area of the ski used to use more metal in the frame but replacing it with carbon has increased agility and mobility. Tester Jeff Neagle notes that “The new Mantra is great! It's not wildly different from the previous model, which I think is a good thing. It is, however, just a little bit more engaging with the new tip shape. Pulls you into a turn much more effectively, which is great. I still struggle to bend it as much as I would want to on certain snow conditions, but that's a me problem. What's great, however, is when that happens, on the new ski I can just roll the ski into a turn rather than really push it into a turn and the tip helps retain a relatively dynamic skiing experience.”

The fourth radius is the big story when it comes to shape. The tip and tail rocker profile remains the same and Volkl implements a long and low bent to the profile to make the skis smooth and predictable. While the 3D Radius Sidecut has opened the Volkl skis to more turn shapes and styles with greater ease, the new 4th dimension takes it to the next level. With a shorter arc in the tip than before, initiation is a total breeze. This is the part that creates more amenable carving to more skiers, putting that ebike feel into the ski. Now, Volkl is claiming a 25/40/16.8/22 meter split within the sidecut. That middle radius of 16.8-meters in the 177 is quite short, making the ski feel like a slalom specialist on firmer snow. Greg Petrics is an M6 owner, so it’s nice to hear his feedback on the new M7: “Another masterpiece from Volkl! I loved the ski and it's obvious "all mountain" strengths. It gripped the piste with ease even offering a surprisingly short turn radius when laid over on edge, stayed on top of fresh snow in the trees, and was nimble enough to navigate some tight spots in the woods. Loved this ski.”

That’s the whole point here—to love the ski. Volkl does amazing things with their top shelf all-mountain skis. At 96 mm underfoot, there aren’t many others that initiate and complete a carved turn as well as the 2025 Volkl M7 Mantra. While skiers may not always want to hear that their favorite ski has been made more accessible, rest assured, these skis are still all there. There’s no mistaking the fact that this is still one of the highest performing skis on the planet at this shape.