Like-New Condition! The 2027 Volkl Mantra 88 with Demo bindings is built for skiers who typically see a lot of firm snow. It's a powerful, grippy all-mountain ski that takes on the iciest hardpack in its class and hands back rebound and energy, and the flatter, turnier shape it carries means a hard charger doesn't have to abandon it when the snow softens. Call it versatile with a frontside bias. A demo binding completes the setup, adjustable to fit most boot sole lengths.

Why we like it:

Edge grip is the headline. Very few skis at this width lock into firm and icy snow the way the Mantra 88 does, and the 3D Radius Sidecut layers a slalom-quick feel on top of that grip, which is a good time once you've got the ski up on edge.

Who it's for:

Hard chargers with the technique to back it up: advanced and expert skiers who want relentless grip and clean, energetic turns on trail, and who enjoy pushing both speed and edge angle.

Highlights:

The core is multi-layer poplar and beech, with beech placed toward the edges where power gets delivered and poplar down the center to keep the mid-body flexing in a way you can actually use. Titanal shows up twice, as a full sheet beneath the core and as the three-piece Tailored Titanal Frame above it, and together they're the reason this ski feels so damp, stable, and grippy, while tailored carbon tips sharpen turn entry and pull weight out of the swing. Volkl specifies its 3D Radius Sidecut on this narrower shape, dividing the ski into a long tip radius, a slalom-tight center, and an open tail so turns come out crisp, round, and predictable. An 88 mm waist keeps all of that quick from edge to edge. Pairing this platform with a demo binding adds adjustability to cover a wide range of boot sizes.

Things to consider:

Stiff and demanding, this is a ski that wants driving every run, and if you get lazy you'll end up along for the ride. The same stiffness and mass that pay off on hard snow make off-trail skiing more work, so if you're after a creative, playful ride, you'll find it too serious. At heart it's a carver.

Fit & sizing considerations:

The Mantra 88 measures out true to length, so the size you normally ski is the right call, though coming down one sharpens the carve at a small cost to stability when you open it up.