Brand Previews Gear Talk

2019 Volkl Skis Preview

Highlights from the 2019 Volkl skis lineup:

The Mantra goes V-Werks.

Newsflash: The Mantra is Different

The time has come. The Mantra changes for 2019. In fact, Volk will now roll out two of them.

One Mantra will follow in the Katana’s footsteps, integrated with Volkl’s strong/light V-Werks tech and labeled the Mantra V-Werks. At 99mm underfoot, it maintains the Mantras waist width, but the ski is much lighter than the old Mantra, and the full-rocker profile is gone. This Mantra harkens back to earlier models with rocker in the tip and tail. The ski looks to still be an aggressive, all-mountain ripper, staying true to the Mantra heritage, but with more backcountry/powder application.

The new M5 Mantra.

The other Mantra is equally, if not more, enticing. Known as the M5 Mantra, it comes in at 96mm underfoot with a shorter turn radius (19m). A  titanal frame keeps the ski burly, while carbon saves weight without compromising strength and dampness. The M5 Mantra flexes stiff-ish, but it’s also much lighter than previous Mantras, and it profiles as an absolute all-mountain slayer that, dare we say it, could be a bit more at home in a wider variety of conditions than its predecessor.

First Take from OR On-Snow: The M5 Mantra received high praise from our staffers at the Outdoor Retailer on-snow demo. From Matt M: “It skis with more energy than previous Mantras, and it’s still on the more stable end of the spectrum for skis in this category. Great edge hold and ultra versatility in a surprisingly lightweight package. You can get the tips to chatter at Mach5—this is a new Mantra for sure—but you quickly forget. It felt reliable when laid on edge at high speeds. Big fan.”

The Secret’s Out

For 2019, the ladies get their own version of the Mantra.

Volkl feels strongly enough about the M5 Mantra that they duplicated its construction in a 93mm-waisted ski on the women’s side: the Secret. Also on the women’s side, you’ll find the new Kama, more on-trail oriented at 83mm underfoot.

First Take from OR On-Snow: The Secret received high praise from our staffers at the Outdoor Retailer on-snow demo. From Mia and Kenzie: “The Secret was our favorite for an all-mountain, do-everything ski. Although the tips chatter a little at high speeds, it’s still reliable, and it skis great off-piste and in bumps. The Secret won’t be secret for long.”

On-Piste Prowess

With the RTM leading the charge, Volkl has rocked the on-trail ski category for years.

And to keep all types of skier happy, Volkl didn’t stop there with the new releases. For 2019, they also introduce the Deacon, a stiff charger with tip and tail rocker that’s being billed as an “all-mountain race ski.” You get the Deacon 76 Pro, Deacon 76, Deacon 74 Pro, and Deacon 74, all with UVO technology similar to the crowd-favorite RTM. We’re thinking the congregation of the Church of Fast Skiing will love these sticks.

Fresh topsheets for the popular men’s and women’s 90Eight and 100Eight skis.

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