2027 Volkl Mantra 84

The 2027 Volkl Mantra 84 gets a graphic change for this year but returns otherwise unchanged. Skis in the mid-80's are tough to pin down as being in one category or the other. Since the Mantra 84 shares principles with the wider skis in the Mantra range, it does make sense here to place more of an all-mountain title to go along with this ski. This does not take away from its amazing on-piste character. We have found this ski to be crisp and precise to go along with being powerful and stable.

The engineers at Volkl do a fantastic job with the intricacies of this ski's construction. Built with a multi-layer wood core made from poplar and beech, this ski is sturdy and strong. Volkl doubles down on the emphasis on the edges due to the placement of the titanal frame. The metal over the beech along the sides provides smooth and predictable power—and it feels that way on the snow. In addition, we get a full titanal layer below the core and tailored carbon tips. The front of the ski is very responsive and crisp, bringing a lot of predictability to the initiation phase of the turn. In the 177 cm length, the ski sits on the scale at 1910 g/ski. Tester Rich O'Brien notes that "This is a real mantra, just carvier. Really confidence inspiring. Able to change edges quickly. Adjusts well to different turn types and shapes. Really impressed. This ski really surprised me. I was ready to call it from the conditions, but this ski made me want to stay out longer."

While the build of the ski is unique and impressive, the footprint also separates this ski from its competition. 84 mm is a bit of a middle ground between front side and all-mountain. The skis carve incredibly well for being part of an all-mountain and even freeride lineup, so based on performance, it’s simple to put them in that range, but they just work so well on groomers. Volkl uses a long and low rocker profile in the tips and tails to allow full access to the 3D Radius drive. This ski uses similar measurements as the Mantra 88, with a radii split of 29.2/16.2/25.5-meter arcs. Tester Greg Petrics says: "I was surprised to really like this ski and ALSO noticed a substantial difference to the Mantra 88. I was expecting to not really detect any difference between this and the Mantra 88, but it is noticeably sportier and piste oriented. I honestly don't know why this is since the stated turning radii (there's always three on these modern Volkls--something I still don't fully understand) are all identical. Yet it felt to me like the Mantra 84 wanted to make a distinctly LONGER turn shape than the Mantra 88. It just felt a little more piste oriented, and little more interested in going faster."

Due to the blend of shape and construction, this ski is all about energy and rebound. It’s fine in the moguls and can handle some trees, but for the most part, this is an excellent on-piste carving ski for advanced and expert skiers. Built with precision and power in mind, we love the Mantra 84’s confident feel and sturdy style. If you’re looking for a quick and agile ski that can stand up to the rigors of aggressive skiing, this ski offers a lot to like. We found that its ability to make all sorts of turns on groomers was a huge plus especially from a mobility standpoint.