In the world of skiing, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are two top contenders. Both are designed for advanced to expert skiers, offering a blend of power, precision, and versatility. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are renowned for their impeccable edge hold, variable turn radius, and surprising lightness for an all-mountain ski. On the other hand, the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are praised for their stability, agility, and ability to handle a variety of conditions. Both skis are built with advanced technology and materials, promising a thrilling ride on the slopes. However, they each have their unique strengths and are suited to different types of skiers. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are ideal for those who want a race ski feel in an all-mountain shape, while the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are perfect for those seeking a versatile, all-mountain ski that excels in all conditions.

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 for the expert level skier who can put forth the variations of energy needed. The skis offer a variable turn radius, providing a plethora of turn shapes. This makes them incredibly powerful for those willing to push it, and a progressive ski for the intermediate with expert level intentions and an applicable athleticism.

The Mantra skis have a magnetic-like edge grip and can rail turns on firm snow. They are built with Völkl's 3D Radii sidecut, which means the ski is just as at home making short turn radius turns as it is making longer, more high-speed turns. They are surprisingly light for such an all-mountain ski, and are built for speed. The lighter tip, due to a carbon spectral braid, also gives it plenty of float off-trail.

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 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. The dedicated positioning of the carbon fibres results in a precise tip response and vastly improves the ski’s torsional stiffness.

Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis · 2024 summary

The Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are designed for the skier who spends about half their time on groomers and about half their time off-piste. They are playful, easy to maneuver skis with a bit of stiffness to allow for greater speed. The skis are very stable and hold their edge well, making them a great choice for a variety of conditions.

The Sender 94 Ti skis are mostly cambered, with some decent rocker in the tip and not much in the tail. This makes them good carvers that can make good turns on a groomer, and the rocker allows them to float in powder pretty well. The skis are very easy to control at speed, and the Titanal metal makes them very stable underfoot.

The skis are light and nimble when you want them to be, but if you get on them, you can really drive these and hold an edge on the hard pack. They are 94mm underfoot, so they offer a great amount of flexibility and will float very well with their generous amount of tip rocker. The flat tail design gives a longer effective edge and a more controlled feeling on those days where you're carving up the hardpack and the ice.

Similarities

Both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers and are built to handle a variety of conditions. They both have a similar width underfoot (94mm for the Rossignol and 96mm for the Völkl), making them versatile all-mountain skis. Both skis feature advanced technology, such as Völkl's 3D Radii sidecut and Rossignol's Air Tip technology, to enhance performance and control. They both have a generous amount of tip rocker for better float in powder and a flat tail for better edge hold and control. Both skis are also praised for their stability and edge hold, making them great for carving turns on groomers and hard pack.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are ideal for skiers who want a race ski feel in an all-mountain shape. They are built for speed and have a magnetic-like edge grip, making them great for skiers who love to carve turns at high speeds. They are also surprisingly light for an all-mountain ski, making them a good choice for skiers who value agility and maneuverability.

On the other hand, the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are perfect for skiers who want a versatile, all-mountain ski that excels in all conditions. They are easy to control at speed and have a more traditional tail, making them great for carving big turns. They are also light and nimble, making them a good choice for skiers who like to explore off-piste and in the trees.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

1. Versatility: Both skis are highly versatile, but the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis take the edge here. They are designed to handle a wider range of conditions and are praised for their performance both on and off-piste.
2. Performance: The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis win in this category. They are renowned for their impeccable edge hold and ability to carve turns at high speeds, making them a top choice for advanced to expert skiers.
3. Technology: Both skis feature advanced technology to enhance performance and control. However, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis' 3D Radii sidecut and tailored Titanal frame give them a slight edge in this category.
4. Value for Money: Both skis offer great value for money, but the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are a bit more affordable, making them the winner in this category.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are top-notch choices for advanced to expert skiers. They both offer a blend of power, precision, and versatility, making them great for a variety of conditions. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are ideal for those who want a race ski feel in an all-mountain shape, while the Rossignol Sender 94 Ti Open Skis are perfect for those seeking a versatile, all-mountain ski that excels in all conditions. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and the specific needs and style of the skier.