VÖLKL Mantra 88 Skis 2026 (also known as Volkl)

The 2026 Mantra 88 got sharper. Wider tip (now 134mm, up from 129), reshaped Tailored Titanal Frame with more metal in the midsection and less in the extremities, and repositioned carbon fibers in the tip. The result: smoother turn initiation, more stability through the arc, and a tip that doesn't buzz at speed the way the old one could.

Construction is serious. A full titanal sheet under the poplar/beech core, a three-piece Tailored Titanal Frame on top, and carbon stringers in the tip. Beech is placed near the edges for grip; poplar runs through the spine for torsional fluidity. P-Tex 2100 sintered base. Full sidewall, no shortcuts. At ~1,822g in the 177, it's not light — but every gram is doing something.

The 3D Radius Sidecut defines how this ski turns. Three radii in one shape: 29.2m at the tip, 16.2m underfoot, 25.5m in the tail. Long-radius tip entry keeps things smooth at speed. Short underfoot radius lets you tighten up when you need to. Long tail radius releases cleanly. In practice, this means you can run GS arcs on open groomers and still make quick adjustments in traffic without fighting the ski.

On hardpack and ice, the Mantra 88 is devastating. Edge hold is best-in-class for this waist width. The titanal damping eats chop and refrozen crud. Multiple testers at SkiEssentials scored edge grip 9-10 out of 10. But there's a catch — the ski is binary. When you're centered and committed, it's absolute. When you're back-seat or tentative, it lets you know. Some testers described the sensation as 'digital' rather than progressive.

Compared to the Nordica Enforcer 89, the Mantra 88 is stiffer, more directional, and less forgiving. The Enforcer lets you get away with more. The Mantra doesn't — but when you're skiing it properly, the precision gap is real. If you're an 80/20 groomer skier with solid technique, this is the better ski. If you want something that meets you halfway, look at the Enforcer or the Atomic Maverick 88 CTI.