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Expert Comparison: Völkl M6 Mantra Skis · 2023 vs Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis · 2023

Published on 02/14/2024 · 5 min readCompare Völkl M6 Mantra Skis · 2023 and Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis · 2023. Get expert insight below!
Luke H., Ski Expert
Daryl Morrison, Ski Expert
Chauncey Allison, Ski Expert
Contributed By Ski Expert Luke H., Daryl Morrison, Chauncey Allison, Theo G, Phil Chandler and others

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Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Völkl M6 Mantra Skis · 2023
Out of stock
Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis · 2023
Price
$449.99
40% off
$450.00
50% off
User rating
5(3)
5(6)
The Curated Take
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Best for advanced to expert skiers who enjoy a variety of conditions and terrain.

Ski type
All Mountain, Freeride
Freeride
Skill level
Advanced, Expert
Intermediate, Advanced
Rocker profile
Rocker/Camber/Rocker
Rocker/Camber/Rocker

In the world of skiing, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis are two top contenders for the 2023 season. Both are designed for advanced to expert skiers, offering a blend of power, versatility, and agility. The Mantra M6 is renowned for its impeccable edge hold and variable turn radius, making it a great choice for those who love to carve at high speeds. On the other hand, the Rustler 10 is a freeride champion, known for its playful nature and ability to handle a wide variety of terrain. While both skis have their strengths, the choice between the two ultimately comes down to your personal skiing style and preferences.

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 expert level skiers who can put forth the variations of energy needed. The Mantra M6 is a 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 M6 is 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. It's surprisingly light for such an all-mountain ski, and it's built for speed. The lighter tip, due to a carbon spectral braid, also gives it plenty of float off-trail. This is essentially the ski that all other all-mountains skies are defined by.

The ski body is designed with a 3D radius sidecut concept and a tailored Titanal frame, making it noticeably lighter and more agile to control. The carbon tip improves the ski's torsional stiffness and results in a precise tip response, enhancing the ski's handling characteristics. The M6 is considered one of the best all-mountain skis built, with a multi-wood core and carbon frame that allows for fast, stable arcing turns on groomers, crud busting side hits, and quick slashes through the trees.

The Mantra lives up to Volkl's renowned impeccable edge hold; these things basically feel as if they have magnets between the edges and the snow. Plus, the Mantra is built with Volkl'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.

Luke H.
Ski Expert

The Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis are a versatile and fun option for advanced to expert level skiers. They are designed to handle a wide variety of terrain, from groomers to powder. The ski includes a wood/metal construction with a partial sheet of metal for strength and performance. Any skier who enjoys jumping, slashing, or ripping big lines would love this ski.

The Rustler 10 is designed to be a stable ski that can handle a wide variety of terrain. It’s a great one-ski quiver for someone who finds a good bit of fresh snow and likes to ski a wide variety of terrain at various speeds. This ski has a partial titanal metal layer that is widest underfoot, where stability and edge hold is needed, but tapers off towards the tips and tails. This keeps swing weight low and allows this ski to be maneuverable yet stable.

The Rustler 10 features a good amount of rocker. When the ski is decambered it begins about three fifths of the way from the top of the binding to the tip of the ski. It's a little lower down on the tail, but the tail also features a significant amount of rocker. It's not a particularly cambered ski. It is a wider option with these early rise tips being nice, strong, large shovels for powder skiing.

The Rustler 10 is a great all-around ski for someone who’s looking for a ski to dabble in powder and ski on a daily basis. It can stand up to hard charging but is still nimble in trees and bumps.

Daryl Morrison
Ski Expert

Similarities

Both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis are designed for advanced to expert skiers who are looking for a versatile, all-mountain ski. They both feature a partial metal layer for stability and edge hold, and a wood core for a blend of stiffness and playfulness. Both skis are designed to handle a wide variety of terrain, from groomers to powder, and are built to be maneuverable yet stable. They both have a good amount of rocker, which helps with float in powder and maneuverability in tight spots.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both skis are versatile, they cater to slightly different skiing styles. The Völkl M6 Mantra Skis are built for speed and carving, with a strong edge hold and a variable turn radius that allows for a variety of turn shapes. They are ideal for skiers who love to charge hard and carve at high speeds, but may not be the best choice for beginners due to their high energy requirement.

On the other hand, the Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis are more playful and freeride-oriented. They are designed to be nimble in trees and bumps, and their partial metal layer tapers off towards the tips and tails, making them more forgiving and playful. They are a great choice for skiers who enjoy jumping, slashing, and ripping big lines, but may not be the best choice for those who primarily ski on groomed terrain.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to carving, the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis take the lead with their impeccable edge hold and variable turn radius. For freeride and off-piste performance, the Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis shine with their playful nature and nimbleness in trees and bumps. In terms of versatility, both skis perform well, but the Rustler 10's wider waist and more forgiving tips and tails give it a slight edge in powder conditions. Finally, for stability, both skis offer a stable ride thanks to their partial metal layer, but the Mantra M6's full-length Titanal frame gives it a slight edge in terms of torsional stiffness and stability at high speeds.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Völkl M6 Mantra Skis and the Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis are excellent choices for advanced to expert skiers looking for a versatile, all-mountain ski. The Mantra M6 excels in carving and high-speed stability, making it a great choice for skiers who love to charge hard and carve at high speeds. The Rustler 10, on the other hand, shines in off-piste performance and powder conditions, making it a great choice for skiers who enjoy a more playful, freeride-oriented skiing style. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to your personal skiing style and preferences. So, whether you're a speed demon or a powder hound, rest assured that both of these skis will deliver a thrilling ride on the mountain.

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