In the world of skiing, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are two powerhouses that have been making waves in the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are known for their exceptional performance on various terrains. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are praised for their supreme grip on edge at speed, variable turn radius, and surprising ease of lateral turns. On the other hand, the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are loved for their ability to charge hard through any condition and handle powder well. However, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis may not be the best for beginners due to their high energy, while the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are not recommended for intermediates. In terms of similarities, both skis are built with a focus on strength, versatility, and agility. However, they differ in their construction and performance in certain conditions. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are built with a 3D radius sidecut concept and a tailored Titanal frame, making them noticeably lighter and more agile to control. The Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis, on the other hand, are built with two layers of metal combined with a dense wood core, making them a tank in ski form. In the end, the choice between the two will depend on the skier's personal preference and skiing style.

Völkl M6 Mantra Skis · 2023 summary

The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are a new school build on a construction that has been a proven package for strength and versatility. They are designed with a variable turn radius that provides a plethora of turn shapes for the expert level skier that can put forth the variations of energy needed. This makes them an incredibly powerful platform for those that are willing to push it, and a progressive ski for the intermediate with expert level intentions and an applicable athleticism.

These skis are ideal for supreme grip on edge at speed, and their variable turn radius gives progressive grip no matter the turn shape. Despite the long effective edge, they are surprisingly easy to turn laterally. However, they may not be the best for beginners due to their high energy and they lack surface area for powder floatation.

The Mantra M6 comes with a multilayer wood core and tip and tail rocker. The newly designed ski body is adapted to a 3D radius sidecut concept with a tailored Titanal frame. This design not only optimizes the weight of the tip and tail ends but also influences the torsional stiffness, thereby improving the ride qualities. This retains the familiar stability of a Titanal ski while also making the Mantra M6 noticeably lighter and more agile to control. The new handling characteristics of the Mantra M6 are also enhanced by the tailored carbon tip, which results in a precise tip response and vastly improves the ski’s torsional stiffness.

Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis · 2023 summary

The Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who use the entire mountain as a playground. They are built with two layers of metal combined with a dense wood core, making them a tank in ski form. They have an incredible edge hold that even the Pope would trust on the iciest of runs, and they arc precise, demanding turns with little to no chatter. Off trail, the Bonafides plow through any and all crud, while having just enough rise in the tip and tail for float in powder.

The Bonafide 97s are not for the faint of heart; if you have a tendency to get in your back seat, the Bonafides will immediately let you know. But for a competent pilot, they offer eternal reward. They are also built with Blizzard's TrueBlend Woodcore, which finely tunes the flex of the wood core throughout the length of the ski. A softer tip and tail add forgiveness and versatility while denser wood underfoot acts like a speed booster giving the skier power and stability while charging.

The Bonafide 97s are a true all-mountain, all conditions everyday ski. The perfect blend of engineering and skier input, Blizzard has come up with a ski that will keep you skiing confidently, regardless of conditions. Key features like the all-mountain wood core, the rocker/camber/rocker profile, and the targeted flex pattern are just a few pieces to the recipe for success.

Similarities

The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis share several similarities. Both are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are built to handle a variety of terrains. They are both praised for their exceptional edge hold and ability to carve precise, demanding turns with little to no chatter. Both skis are also built with a focus on strength, versatility, and agility. They are designed to be powerful platforms for those willing to push them, and they both require a bit more energy input than other skis. Both skis also have a multilayer wood core and a rocker/camber/rocker profile, which provides a natural and uniform flex throughout the entire profile of the ski.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis share several similarities, they also have some key differences. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are built with a 3D radius sidecut concept and a tailored Titanal frame, making them noticeably lighter and more agile to control. They are ideal for skiers who want a ski that offers supreme grip on edge at speed and a variable turn radius that gives progressive grip no matter the turn shape. However, they may not be the best for beginners due to their high energy.

On the other hand, the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are built with two layers of metal combined with a dense wood core, making them a tank in ski form. They are ideal for skiers who want a ski that can charge hard through any condition and handle powder well. However, they are not recommended for intermediates due to their demanding nature.

In terms of persona, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are perfect for advanced to expert skiers who want a ski that offers a balance of power and agility. The Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis, on the other hand, are ideal for advanced to expert skiers who want a ski that can handle high speeds and tough conditions with ease.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis, it's clear that both skis excel in different areas.

1. Performance on Various Terrains: Both skis perform exceptionally well on various terrains. However, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis have a slight edge due to their variable turn radius, which provides a plethora of turn shapes for the expert level skier.

2. Ease of Control: The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are noticeably lighter and more agile to control due to their 3D radius sidecut concept and tailored Titanal frame. This makes them the winner in this category.

3. Stability at High Speeds: The Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are built with two layers of metal combined with a dense wood core, making them a tank in ski form. This gives them an incredible edge hold and the ability to arc precise, demanding turns with little to no chatter, making them the winner in this category.

4. Versatility: Both skis are versatile and can handle a variety of conditions. However, the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis have a slight edge due to their ability to handle powder well, making them the winner in this category.

Overall, the choice between the two will depend on the skier's personal preference and skiing style.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are exceptional skis that are designed for advanced to expert skiers. They both excel in various terrains and offer excellent performance. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are ideal for skiers who want a ski that offers a balance of power and agility, while the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis are perfect for skiers who want a ski that can handle high speeds and tough conditions with ease. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the skier's personal preference and skiing style. So, whether you're a speed demon looking for a ski that can handle the toughest conditions or a skier who values agility and versatility, both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Bonafide 97 Skis have something to offer. Happy skiing!