Ski Reviews

2020-2021 Volkl M5 Mantra, 177 cm

Reviewer Username: Joe Humphries

Reviewer Height: 5’9″

Reviewer Weight: 160 lbs

Reviewer Experience Level: Expert

DAYS USED: 25 days

TEST LOCATIONS: Various resorts in British Columbia

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

(0 = Terrible, 5 = Okay, 10 = Outstanding)

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 8/10

FORGIVENESS: 2/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Loose / Easy to Pivot & Smear?): 3/10

MANEUVERABILITY (How Quick / Low is the Swing Weight?): 4/10

STABILITY: 8/10

SUSPENSION: 9/10

EDGE HOLD: 9/10

PLAYFULNESS: 1/10

SKI LENGTH: It felt just right (177 cm length tested)

THIS SKI’S IDEAL TERRAIN: Firm groomers | Softer groomers | Softer moguls | Low-angle, off-piste terrain | Fairly steep off-piste terrain

THIS SKI’S IDEAL SNOW CONDITIONS: Pretty firm snow | Softer, but not deep snow | Soft chop / pretty forgiving cut-up snow | Firm, off-piste chop or crud

WHAT TYPE(S) OF SKIER DO YOU IMAGINE WILL GET ALONG BEST WITH THIS SKI?

Advanced and expert directional skiers who want a precise, powerful, quiet, stable ski for variable all mountain conditions.

ARE THERE SIMILAR PRODUCTS YOU’VE SKIED THAT YOU CLEARLY PREFER? IF SO, WHY?

PLEASE ELABORATE ON ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SKI. FEEL FREE TO GO INTO DETAIL!

I’ve been using this as my lower snow variable conditions ski for a few seasons and it’s a weapon both on piste and off piste. I’ve never been able to find a speed limit on it. Precise, energetic carver. Damp and stable off piste. Not playful in any sense. Makes very rough, refrozen conditions feel slightly less shit.