Review: Völkl Mantra 88W

[SnowHot]

@MissySki and I both got on this ski at the Brighton Demo.
It was quite interesting to ski the Mantra 84W and 88W back to back with another Diva.

2026 Volkl Mantra 88W

Tricia Size tested: 163 Location tested: Brighton Conditions tested in: Firm groomer zoomers Whoops, they did it again! Last year, Völkl decided to re-name all the women's All-Mountain Freeride collection from the various individual names to embrace the Secret line-up with the waist widths...

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[MissySki]

It WAS very interesting! I was quite shocked at the differences in how they skied, I wasn't expecting such a clear divide in performance.

 

[SnowHot]

It WAS very interesting! I was quite shocked at the differences in how they skied, I wasn't expecting such a clear divide in performance.

I almost feel like you could have both of these skis in your quiver.

I also don't know if @elemmac got on either of these skis. Would love to share notes.

 

[MissySki]

I almost feel like you could have both of these skis in your quiver.

I also don't know if @elemmac got on either of these skis. Would love to share notes.

Yes, despite the waist widths being so close that's about where the similarities ended for me! haha

I was wondering about @elemmac 's take as well if she had a chance to ski them.

 

[elemmac]

I also don't know if @elemmac got on either of these skis. Would love to share notes.

I was wondering about @elemmac 's take as well if she had a chance to ski them.

I got on the 88W but unfortunately missed the 84W (ran out of time and didn't make it back to the Volkl tent).

My key notes:

I still fall in between sizes in the Volkl Freeride line...each time I demo I go back and forth between a 163 and the 170. 170 always feels a bit to burly for my weight, but 163 always feels a bit short for my height. This demo I went for the 170.

I really agree with both of your (@SnowHot & @MissySki) reviews. This version is more accessible than the some of the previous Secrets, but not to a detriment of the "top end" of the ski. It still can be pushed just as hard, but it sports a more friendly compliance and non-mach-schnell speeds.

My big gripe on the ski is the noise it creates --- I wanted earplugs to tune it out whenever I hit hardpack.

Stay tuned for a full review

 

[SnowHot]

My big gripe on the ski is the noise it creates --- I wanted earplugs to tune it out whenever I hit hardpack.

Ha, funny you should say that because I feel that way about some of the Kästle skis I was on, and I do hear it in the Mantra88W, but not the 96. Hmmm.

 

[elemmac]

Ha, funny you should say that because I feel that way about some of the Kästle skis I was on, and I do hear it in the Mantra88W, but not the 96. Hmmm.

Kastle is another culprit of having "loud skis"; same with some Elans (to a lesser extent). It's funny how some people notice it, and others don't. Somehow my husband can ski any of those and never notice how loud they are

 

[SnowHot]

Somehow my husband can ski any of those and never notice how loud they are

Like men listen. ;)

 

[teppaz]

Kastle is another culprit of having "loud skis"; same with some Elans (to a lesser extent). It's funny how some people notice it, and others don't. Somehow my husband can ski any of those and never notice how loud they are

I don't think I've ever noticed a ski being loud. I can't even imagine what it's like.

 

[MissySki]

I recall the Auras that I had a long time ago made a very pingy metallic noise skiing. I joked it was the hummingbird in the graphic singing.

 

[Verve]

Haven’t found a deep dive on construction but is the Mantra 84W significantly changed from the Yumi? From how you describe the ski, sounds pretty similar if not the same. There has always been a big difference in the Yumi and the Kenja/now Mantra 88. Cool that they’re making some changes to the 88 to bring it into the more “playful” side - reminds me of similar tweaks to the Black Pearl 94/97 this year. Ah, the trend cycle.

 

[elemmac]

I don't think I've ever noticed a ski being loud. I can't even imagine what it's like.

I think @MissySki 's description is spot on..."very pingy metallic noise"...almost like a muffled windchime or a xylophone without the beautiful "ringing" element.

 

[scandium]

I got on the 88W but unfortunately missed the 84W (ran out of time and didn't make it back to the Volkl tent).

My key notes:

I still fall in between sizes in the Volkl Freeride line...each time I demo I go back and forth between a 163 and the 170. 170 always feels a bit to burly for my weight, but 163 always feels a bit short for my height. This demo I went for the 170.

I really agree with both of your (@SnowHot & @MissySki) reviews. This version is more accessible than the some of the previous Secrets, but not to a detriment of the "top end" of the ski. It still can be pushed just as hard, but it sports a more friendly compliance and non-mach-schnell speeds.

My big gripe on the ski is the noise it creates --- I wanted earplugs to tune it out whenever I hit hardpack.

Stay tuned for a full review

Tip chatter? I feel like I noticed that in previous iterations of the Kenja 88/Secret 88.

 

[mustski]

I recall the Auras that I had a long time ago made a very pingy metallic noise skiing. I joked it was the hummingbird in the graphic singing.

I remember being taken aback by that sound with the Aura. I got used to it quickly and don’t really notice ski noise anymore. Is the Mantra line noticeably louder than previous iterations?

 

[elemmac]

Tip chatter? I feel like I noticed that in previous iterations of the Kenja 88/Secret 88.

Not excessive by any means. I found them to be very stable and damp…the chatter you do get from the tip doesn’t affect stability at all. But —I’ve never found any of the versions I’ve been on to have enough chatter to affect performance.

 

[SnowHot]

I don't think I've ever noticed a ski being loud. I can't even imagine what it's like.

You haven't been on the right ski. Sometimes they are very audible.

 

[scandium]

Not excessive by any means. I found them to be very stable and damp…the chatter you do get from the tip doesn’t affect stability at all. But —I’ve never found any of the versions I’ve been on to have enough chatter to affect performance.

I hate the noise - I think the K2 Mindbenders did that on hardpack as well last time I skiied them. Super off-putting (for me), even though objectively it wasn't a sign of instability!

 

[teppaz]

You haven't been on the right ski. Sometimes they are very audible.

Or I haven't been on the wrong ski?