"'Faster, faster, faster.' That's the mantra for the Mantra, according to testers who gushed about its stability, forgiveness, and high-speed performance. 'So stable, so quick and powerful, so consistent and predictable,' said one hard-skiing tester. 'This ski is a badass.' A longtime favorite, the Mantra has proven its versatility over the years, and with a sensorwood core and two sheets of titanium, its' a performer, 'Smooth,' said a female free-heel tester. 'Like cream cheese every turn, no matter the conditions,' The highest scores were at mach speeds and in bigger turns, but it 'will get you anywhere in any conditions,' according to a Summit County tester. But the price for performance is weight. 'Too heavy to justify as a 100% backcountry ski,' one tester said."

"Often find yourself in tight chutes, or bombing through the trees: Then try the Mantra. Solid throughout, with stiffer qualities than the Gotama and a flat tail, the Mantra shreds and dices all kinds of snow. A great ski for people who spend most of their time inbounds on variable snow."

"One of the category's (Big-Mtn Expert) most versatile skis, the Mantra straddles the line between all-mountain and big-mountain. The tip bites and pulls into turns early, and the body follows with exceptional grip throughout. Plus: Reactive. Will lit to turn and you're on edge. Minus: The stiff tail, while great for hardpack, catches in softer snow. Tester's Take: 'Going fast or slow, this ski turns on command.'"

"No gimmicks. The Mantra is as simple a construction as anything out there: wood core, vertical sidewals, metal laminates. And it performs accordingly. Other skis will be less demanding, but the Mantra skis with the power seasoned experts enjoy. In crud it's unflappable, and there's plenty of flotation for powder days and enough edge-grip to get you back to the lift. 'A versatile performer...charges the steeps yet feels at home one groomers.' Best for: High stability in rough conditions. Not for: Forgiveness or short-turn quickness."