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PTO Review
We skied them. Here's how they stack up.
These skis span 2 categories (All-Mountain, Carving). Scores reflect each ski's intended use — direct comparison across all dimensions may be misleading.
M7 Mantra — advanced to expert all-mountain skiers who want one capable ski for every condition. Octo — intermediate-to-advanced skiers who love carving groomers and want something lighter and more playful than traditional metal carving skis. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all skis on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | M7 Mantra | Octo |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 7 | 8🏆 |
| Park | 3🏆 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 6 | 7🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 6🏆 | 6🏆 |
| Stability | 9🏆 | 6 |
| Powder | 7🏆 | 2 |
Advanced to expert all-mountain skiers who want one capable ski for every condition. The Enforcer alternative for skiers who want slightly more playfulness. Mixed-condition PNW skiing.
Beginners, dedicated groomer skiers (get the Mantra 88), or weight-conscious skiers. For more playfulness, the Blizzard Rustler 9 is lighter and surf-ier.
Intermediate-to-advanced skiers who love carving groomers and want something lighter and more playful than traditional metal carving skis.
Ice coast carvers who need maximum edge hold. High-speed chargers. Anyone who ventures off-piste.
The M7 Mantra is best for advanced to expert all-mountain skiers who want one capable ski for every condition. The Octo is best for intermediate-to-advanced skiers who love carving groomers and want something lighter and more playful than traditional. The right choice depends on your primary terrain, ability level, and riding style.
The Völkl M7 Mantra scores highest in Stability at 9/10, making it the strongest all-mountain option. It handles groomers, chop, and variable conditions without losing composure, so it's the best single-ski choice for skiers who want one pair for the whole mountain.
The Black Crows Octo leads in Carving with a PTO score of 8/10. Its edge grip on hard snow and groomed runs is the strongest in this comparison.
The Völkl M7 Mantra is the most forgiving option with a Forgiveness score of 6/10. It doesn't punish imperfect technique, making it the easiest ski to progress on among these.
Not sure? Ask us.