In the world of skiing, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers, offering high performance and versatility across a range of conditions. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are renowned for their supreme edge grip, variable turn radius, and powerful platform, making them ideal for skiers who love speed and precision. On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis are praised for their lightweight construction, impeccable edge hold, and freeride orientation, making them perfect for skiers who want a strong and dependable ski that can handle both on and off-piste conditions. While both skis have their unique strengths, the final verdict will depend on the skier's personal preferences 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. These skis are designed for the expert level skier who can put forth the variations of energy needed. They offer an incredibly powerful platform for those willing to push it, and a progressive ski for the intermediate with expert level intentions and an applicable athleticism.

The Mantra skis are known for their supreme grip on edge at speed. The variable turn radius provides a progressive grip no matter the turn shape, making them surprisingly easy to turn laterally, despite the long effective edge. 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.

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. The handling characteristics of the Mantra M6 are further enhanced by the tailored carbon tip, which results in a precise tip response and vastly improves the ski’s torsional stiffness.

Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis · 2023 summary

The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis are designed for skiers who want one ski to do it all. They are wide enough to float when there is some powder, yet narrow enough to carve easily on the slopes. These skis are pretty light, and the extra carbon rods in the Black edition help to eliminate any chatter in the tip.

The Ripstick skis start with Elan's Poplar and Paulownia lightweight wood core, which they then combine with carbon rods placed over the outside edges, as well as an extra rod at both the fore and aft of the ski. Then, Elan places a Diagonal Carbon weave over the length of the inside edge for extra dampness and stability without the added weight of metal.

Elan claims that the Ripstick Black Edition is their most freeride oriented, hard-charging ski, but it does so at a fraction of the weight of other burly skis on the market. This ski will hold an impeccable edge on groomed runs, but has more than enough play for ripping off piste and in soft snow. This ski is for skiers who like to go fast both on and off-piste and want a strong and dependable ski underfoot.

Similarities

Both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who demand high performance and versatility. They both offer excellent edge grip and stability at high speeds, making them ideal for skiers who love to push their limits.

Both skis are designed with innovative technology to enhance their performance. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis feature a 3D Radii sidecut and a tailored Titanal frame, while the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis utilize a lightweight wood core and carbon rods for added stability and dampness.

Both skis are also designed to be versatile, capable of handling a variety of conditions and terrains. They can perform well on groomed runs, off-piste, and in soft snow, making them excellent all-mountain skis.

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 love speed and precision. They offer a powerful platform and supreme edge grip, making them perfect for skiers who love to push their limits and demand a high level of control and responsiveness from their skis.

On the other hand, the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis are perfect for skiers who want a strong and dependable ski that can handle both on and off-piste conditions. They are lightweight yet powerful, offering an impeccable edge hold and plenty of play for ripping off piste and in soft snow.

The main difference between the two skis lies in their construction. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis feature a 3D Radii sidecut and a tailored Titanal frame, which optimizes the weight of the tip and tail ends and influences the torsional stiffness. The Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis, on the other hand, utilize a lightweight wood core and carbon rods for added stability and dampness, offering a high level of performance at a fraction of the weight of other burly skis on the market.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to performance, both skis offer excellent edge grip and stability at high speeds. However, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis may have a slight edge due to their powerful platform and supreme edge grip, making them ideal for skiers who love speed and precision.

In terms of versatility, both skis can handle a variety of conditions and terrains. However, the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis may have a slight advantage due to their lightweight construction and impeccable edge hold, making them more adaptable to both on and off-piste conditions.

When it comes to innovation, both skis feature advanced technology to enhance their performance. However, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis' 3D Radii sidecut and tailored Titanal frame offer a unique approach to optimizing weight and torsional stiffness, giving them the edge in this dimension.

Finally, in terms of weight, the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis are the clear winner. Their lightweight wood core and carbon rods offer a high level of performance at a fraction of the weight of other burly skis on the market, making them ideal for skiers who value lightness and agility.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers. They both offer high performance, versatility, and innovative technology. However, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis may be more suited to skiers who love speed and precision, while the Elan Ripstick 96 Black Edition Skis may be more appealing to skiers who value lightness and agility. Ultimately, the final decision will depend on the skier's personal preferences and skiing style. So, whether you're a speed demon or a lightweight lover, rest assured that both these skis will deliver an exhilarating ride on the slopes!