2021 Volkl M5 Mantra

There's not much more that can be said of such an iconic ski, but here we are! For the better part of a decade, the Mantra has been ruling the freeride class even while undergoing both cosmetic and structural changes. It remains steadfast in its brutality-owning the groomers as much as the off-piste. Best suited for advanced and expert skiers, the Mantra's no-nonsense approach to the mountain has both race-room and freeride world tour influences. For 2021, it gets a cosmetic refresh while leaving the meat and potatoes alone. No featherweight, the Mantra M5 comes in at 2030 grams per ski, giving it unmistakable stability in any and all conditions. Our contributors over the years have marveled at the M5's ability to make different turn shapes and styles while remaining composed and confident no matter the speed or terrain. While likely not the best choice for a mogul-specific ski or for skiers looking for lightness and quickness, the M5 has certainly found a home among skiing's elite carvers and all-mountain shredders. Built much like an on-piste ski but with a wider body, the M5's heart and soul lie in the titanal frame technology. By placing metal around the edges of the ski and leaving the central portion to be lighter and more maneuverable, the M5 has edge grip and precision in the carve for days. As in years past, our contributors love the security and stability of the M5 and often note the precision and confidence that they inspire.

Jeff Neagle, skiing the 177, notes the stability, torsional stiffness, and edge hold are all top-notch, earning 4.5's and 5's out of 5 on his scorecard. At 96 mm underfoot, no one is mistaking it for a powder ski, hence his score of 3 out of 5 for flotation. The width, combined with the weight, aren't ideal for floating on champagne powder, but anything manky or heavy will be right in the Mantra's wheelhouse. "Back for another season of crushing the whole mountain, the M5 is very versatile and has emerged as a favorite among experts who want a high-performance, powerful ski. It rips turns on firm snow but is also surprisingly forgiving for how powerful it is." This forgiveness is mostly due to the titanal frame, which does have breaks to allow for more flexion. For varying turn shapes and making a more user-friendly ski without sacrificing performance, this technique is very effective. Bob St.Pierre agrees with Jeff in this regard, and his 184 cm test length was a bit on the short side. A bit turnier with the shorter length, Bob noted that "the M5 hooks up instantaneously and rips around corners like a sportscar. The 191 would be a bit more stable at speed and better suited to my size and ski style, but I loved the 184 and its ability to switch up turn shape and style with ease." Bob's scores of 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness, edge grip, and stability are unsurprising given the construction and profile of these all-mountain weapons.

Parker Herlihy is another contributor who skied the 184 and even though he's a bit taller than Bob, he liked the size and the performance that came with it. He called it a "meaty Mantra that is strong all around. Fun on groomers but not terribly playful elsewhere." In terms of a target audience, Parker notes that former racers will quickly find themselves comfortable on the M5. Josh Wolfgang is in agreement with Parker that the Mantra is best suited for on-piste activities, in which case it shines. Josh scored the skis 5 out of 5 for torsional stiffness and edge hold as well as a 4 out of 5 for versatility. "This ski is super-fun once it's on edge but requires a good amount of speed to roll it over. I like the 184 for on-trail skiing, but I'd think it's a bit long for off-piste adventures."

While the graphics may slightly change and there might be a few tweaks here and there to the build, the Mantra will remain a steadfast beacon of the all-mountain world. With a ton of performance and versatility built in, the Mantra M5 still lights it up and puts a smile on the faces of a ton of advanced and expert skiers. It's a true classic in every form of the word, and has so far stood the test of time.