2026 Volkl Mantra 102

Sturdy and strong like a freight train, the 2026 Volkl Mantra 102 is an ideal choice for advanced and expert skiers who are looking to carve clean turns and bust through crud and chop with ease. While these skis are hefty, they work great at smoothing out whatever is underneath them. As a result, these Mantra 102’s can handle groomers and softer snow with the blend of construction, shape, and profile that benefits aggressive skiers and those who like the feeling of powerful precision at the same time. While it’s relatively easy to turn per weight, it’s still more of an advanced ski for skiers with good skills and strong legs.

Built with Volkl’s multi-layer wood core consisting of poplar and beech, the Mantra 102 is ready to rip. We get one full layer of metal along the bottom of the core and a tailored titanal frame on top. While the narrower skis in the Mantra line now get updated tailored frames, the 102 remains the same. The wider the Mantra, the less it needs to change because we’re mainly relying on mass and power to get the job done rather than the fine-tuned finesse required of the narrower skis. In the 184, the skis sit on the scale at 2200 grams, so there’s some weight here for sure. Volkl uses tailored carbon tips to lower the swing weight and add at least a modicum of sophistication to the mix, but overall, this still feels like a very traditional and directional ski. Tester Christian Strong notes that “This ski felt like it could do it all, nice carve-ability and at 102 in the waist.”

It does carve insanely well for a 102, and a lot of that has to do with the shape and profile. First, the use of 3D Radius sidecut helps here, as it allows the skier to maintain and change the shape and style of the turn with ease. That said, if you want to lock in and settle down for a powerful carve, the Mantra 102 is more than happy to meet you where you’re at. This ski uses sidecut measurements of 142/102/124 to make a 3D Radius split of 30.2/18.9/27.4-meters in the 184 cm length. The middle arc is the fun one as there are very few skis of this width that can adhere to a shorter turn like this, especially on very firm snow.

If you’re in the middle of sizing, go ahead and size down. I’m 6’2 225 pounds and I prefer the 177 over the 184 and the unwieldy 191. It takes a strong and committed skier to handle either the 184 or 191. Overall, it’s a strong ski that will do as asked. It takes some skill and leg strength, but you will be rewarded with serious performance.