2026 Volkl M7 Mantra W

The 2026 Volkl Mantra M7 W returns structurally unchanged from last year with the exception of a fresh new purple graphic. In general, Volkl does a nice job at creating more of a unisex ski line, with these skis containing the same build, shape, and profile as the men’s version. At 96 mm underfoot, the M7 W is a wider-bodied all-mountain ski that can handle the rigors of both front side and freeride skiing. They are phenomenal carvers and can hold an edge better than many narrower skis and they also cut through crud and chop with authority. While they lack the playfulness and creativity of some other skis in this width range, they’re certainly just fine in softer snow, as long as you’re not expecting much in terms of overall flotation.

There’s quite a bit of innovation here when it comes to the construction. Starting with a multi-layer wood core consisting of poplar and beech, Volkl adds their tailored titanal frame, tailored carbon tips, and a hefty weight to the mix. These are stiff-flexing skis that have some mass to them, so it’s more helpful if you’re a stronger skier with a good skillset. The M7 W sits on the scale at 2090 g/ski in the 177 cm length, so there’s a good deal of material here. The frame is the big part here as it allows the ski to flex very naturally and energetically both torsionally and longitudinally. By incorporating three metal pieces that work well together, the skier gets the benefits of firm snow compliance and softer snow use. Tester Alli Ruschp gave the ski a score of 9 out of 10 for overall impression and calls it “Sturdy, reliable and powerful ski. Easy to carve and excels on icier conditions with edge hold. I prefer the 88 version for my daily ski, its a tad more forgiving.”

In addition to the creativity with the build, we also get an interesting shape and profile. Volkl uses their 4 Radius Drive in these skis, putting the turn shape and style squarely on the feet of the skier. These skis are not locked into one particular turn—they can go back and forth between long arcs at low edge angles and shorter, slalom-like carves when more on edge. Despite the weight and flex, the flatter profile and the multi-radius design allows for easier transitions between turns. Katie St.Pierre scored the ski a 10 out of 10 for overall impression and states: “Loved it! Felt effortless, easy to maneuver, quick release of turns if you want, can make big turns if you desire, very responsive.”

These skis have a very strong feel and a high-performance ceiling. They love to be driven by confident skiers and will give back those confident feelings at the end of every turn. While they can be versatile in softer snow, there’s no denying that these M7 W’s are extraordinarily composed in an on-trail format, especially for their width. If you’re looking for something easy to ski or compliant in powder, there are better options, but for precision, quality, and overall power, the M7 W is in a league of its own.