2026 Volkl Mantra 84 W

The 2026 Volkl Mantra 84 W is a new ski for this year, picking up where the Yumi 84 left off. While we’ve always loved that Yumi, Volkl must’ve decided that there was too much crossover with the super-popular Blaze 86. As a result, the Mantra 84 W kicks the performance up a notch, delivering strong and crisp performance in a mid-80's width. This shape of ski can be sometimes difficult to label as it can transition between front side and all-mountain with ease. Since it comes flat, with no system binding, we tend to put it in the all-mountain side, but it just carves so darn well it’s tough to move it over completely. The versatility is decent, but the precise nature of the ski keeps it from being super-useful in the bumps and trees but it can function well in chopped groomers or degraded snow conditions.

The construction is quite sophisticated in this ski, and it all starts with a multi-layer wood core consisting of poplar and beech. What Volkl does that’s different from most is they place more beech stringers along the edges and more poplar in the middle. This, when combined with the upper titianal frame that also puts more metal over the edges, makes for crazy good edge grip on any type of firm snow. By allowing the middle portions of the ski to flex more, the Mantra 84 W has increased torsional flex for better soft snow compliance. The skis also use tailored carbon tips to make getting up on edge just that much quicker and easier—everything about the construction of these skis points to a direct energy transfer. Tester E.V. Hamilton notes that “it feels powerful, stiff, and read to tackle the average east coast ski day.”

The profile of the ski is on the flatter side of the spectrum, with minimal camber underfoot to go along with long and low tip and tail rocker. Volkl uses their 3D Radius sidecut in this ski, producing arc splits of 23.5/13.2/21.3-meters in the 163 cm length. This allows for smooth and stable longer carves to go along with super-short turns when you’re at higher edge angles and skiing the center of the ski. Basically, it’s a way for Volkl to ensure that any and all turn shapes and styles are welcome in the Mantra 84 W. In softer snow, the skis are flat enough to stay on top, but they do want to turn. The blend of carbon in the tips and the precision involved makes them eager to be on edge, keeping them from feeling drifty or smeary. Hamilton continues to state that these skis feel like they work better on “hard packed snow! These skis want to carve down the hill.”

These skis work great on the feet of advanced and expert skiers. While the waist width is narrow enough to have progressing intermediates get a start here, it’s generally the build that keeps this ski in the upper end of the performance spectrum. It’s stiff, solid, and ready to rip. Skiers need to be active in order to get the most out of it, and the ski appreciates the input.