In the world of skiing, the Völkl M6 Mantra and the Völkl Kendo 88 are two titans that have carved out a name for themselves. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are known for their stability, agility, and versatility. The M6 Mantra is a hard-charging all-mountain ski that can handle anything from groomers to trees to powder, while the Kendo 88 is a narrower all-mountain ski that excels in carving and is perfect for groomers and occasional off-piste skiing. However, the M6 Mantra is not recommended for beginners transitioning from rental gear due to its metal core, while the Kendo 88 is approachable for intermediate skiers. In terms of the winner, it depends on the skier's preference and the conditions they typically ski in.

Völkl M6 Mantra Skis · 2024 summary

The Völkl M6 Mantra is a versatile all-mountain ski that is designed to handle a variety of snow conditions. It has a decent amount of rocker in the tip and minimal rocker in the tail with traditional camber underfoot. This design, combined with a 3D side cut, makes it easy to initiate turns and allows the ski to turn quickly. The M6 Mantra also features a Tailored Titanal Frame that keeps the ski stable and prevents chatter, even at high speeds.

The M6 Mantra is a fun ski to carve on and feels very stable. It has a ton of energy when turning and can be skied at both higher and lower speeds. It's also a great ski for freestyle skiing, feeling stable in the air and on landings. However, it's not recommended for switch skiing due to its very directional shape.

In terms of freeride performance, the M6 Mantra is expected to perform well in powder due to its larger shovel. It's an ideal ski for all-mountain skiing, capable of handling anything from groomers to trees to powder. However, it's not recommended for skiing big mountain lines or jumping big cliffs due to its 96mm underfoot width.

The M6 Mantra is recommended for anyone looking for a stable and versatile all-mountain ski. It holds an edge well on harder-packed snow, making it a great ski for someone who skis in a coastal snowpack on the East or West coast.

Völkl Kendo 88 Skis · 2024 summary

The Völkl Kendo 88 is a narrow all-mountain ski that is designed for carving on groomers and occasional off-piste skiing. It has a little bit of tip rocker to help with turn initiation and float in softer snow, an 88-millimeter waist, and a fairly mellow side cut. The Kendo 88 also features a 3D turn radius, which allows for short quick turns or long GS style turns.

The Kendo 88 is a very stable ski that can handle a range of conditions. It's great in hard snow, good in soft snow, and a little bit too stiff for super manky snow. It's also a very damp ski that can handle high speeds without any chatter, thanks to its multilayer wood core, carbon fiber weave, and titanal frame.

In terms of freestyle performance, the Kendo 88 is not the most playful ski, but it does have a good amount of pop. It's not recommended for skiing switch, especially in ungroomed runs or powder.

The Kendo 88 is recommended for advanced or expert skiers who spend a lot of their time carving on groomers. It's not a good ski for beginners due to its fairly stiff and demanding nature.

Similarities

Both the Völkl M6 Mantra and the Völkl Kendo 88 are all-mountain skis designed for advanced to expert skiers. They both feature a multilayer wood core, a titanal frame, and a bit of rocker in the tip for easy turn initiation. Both skis are also agile and quick edge-to-edge, making them great for carving on groomers and handling moguls. They both have Volkl's 3D turn radii, allowing for short quick turns or long GS style turns. Both skis are also stable and confident at high speeds, and they both handle a variety of snow conditions well.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile, the M6 Mantra is more of a hard-charging all-mountain ski that can handle anything from groomers to trees to powder, making it a great choice for skiers who like to explore the whole mountain. On the other hand, the Kendo 88 is a narrower all-mountain ski that excels in carving and is perfect for groomers and occasional off-piste skiing, making it a great choice for skiers who spend most of their time on groomed runs.

The M6 Mantra is not recommended for beginners transitioning from rental gear due to its metal core, while the Kendo 88 is approachable for intermediate skiers. The M6 Mantra is also not recommended for skiing big mountain lines or jumping big cliffs due to its 96mm underfoot width, while the Kendo 88 is not the most playful ski and is not recommended for skiing switch, especially in ungroomed runs or powder.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

1. Versatility: The M6 Mantra wins in this category due to its ability to handle a wider range of snow conditions and terrains.
2. Carving: The Kendo 88 takes the cake here with its narrower waist and focus on carving performance.
3. Stability: Both skis are stable at high speeds, but the M6 Mantra's metal core gives it an edge in this category.
4. Approachability: The Kendo 88 is more approachable for intermediate skiers, making it the winner in this category.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl M6 Mantra and the Völkl Kendo 88 are excellent skis that cater to advanced to expert skiers. The M6 Mantra is a versatile all-mountain ski that can handle a variety of snow conditions and terrains, making it a great choice for skiers who like to explore the whole mountain. The Kendo 88, on the other hand, is a narrower all-mountain ski that excels in carving and is perfect for groomers and occasional off-piste skiing, making it a great choice for skiers who spend most of their time on groomed runs.

While both skis are agile, stable, and confident at high speeds, the M6 Mantra's metal core gives it an edge in stability, while the Kendo 88's narrower waist and focus on carving performance make it a superior carver. The Kendo 88 is also more approachable for intermediate skiers, while the M6 Mantra is not recommended for beginners transitioning from rental gear.

In the end, the choice between the M6 Mantra and the Kendo 88 comes down to the skier's preference and the conditions they typically ski in. Both skis are top-notch choices that will deliver a thrilling ride on the slopes.