2026 Völkl Mantra 88 Skis Review

The Lowdown

The old 2025 Völkl Mantra 88 ripped, as did its predecessor the Kendo 88, and knowing the changes to the 2026 Mantra 88 were subtle, I expected this ski to charge as well. Riding an 88-wide Völkl at least once a year assures me that the world of high-performance front side skis is alive and well - Völkl is one of a handful of ski manufacturers who refuse to make a wimpy ski and are willing to let the rest of the world market slide on by, and they’re to be applauded for it.

Pulling the Mantra 88 out of the plastic was a visual treat; the new graphic avoids the 2026 trend toward splashy abstracts and goes with a tried-and-true Euro flavor that feels right. Aqua metallic with anthracite accents is a new take on the traditional Kendo blue that really pops, and the matrix of dots and “L” shapes that outline the binding mount area and three distinct sidecut zones has a functional tone that hints at the precision instrument the Mantra 88 is intended to be. 

Reactions to the graphics ranged from “that’s a really beautiful ski” (my wife) to “looks like a chick’s ski" (my regular ski bud) – in point of fact, the 2026 Mantra 84 women’s model is almost a dead ringer with a touch more green in the hue. As always, you need to decide for yourself.

I checked for base flatness (perfect) and side edge bevel accuracy (the stated 2 degrees was right on), cleaned off the protective coating on the edges and hot waxed before anything else happened. Base structure is a simple “brushed” pattern rather than something more exotic, but overall finish quality was superb.

Any confusion regarding the three potential mount lines impressed on the topsheet is now cleared up; Völkl states plainly on the ski that boot center goes on the “long” line (furthest back), and that’s where I put a pair of Strive 16 MN bindings.

Ride Impressions

I’d actually tried the 184cm version of the Mantra 88 briefly, and while super stable it felt planky underfoot at all but the highest speeds, so I went with the 177cm length instead for this long-term test. Choosing the right length in this ski is critical for striking a balance between stability and maneuverability, and while I normally ride a rockered freeride ski in the mid-180’s, dropping down to 177 was the right call here. The rocker profile of the 88 puts a lot of edge on the snow, so the ski skis “long” compared to other skis the same length.

The first few turns on hard pack that had warmed to 37°F the day before and frozen hard overnight confirmed that the Mantra 88 was built to rule on firm surfaces. Edge hold was exemplary, and stability left nothing to be desired even at speed on ice with frozen ball bearings mixed in from the night’s grooming. 

As with most good skis in this category, the Mantra 88 doesn’t slither automatically from turn to turn but requires a pilot with a plan and some technique. Often, skis designed to instill confidence at higher speeds require serious effort to turn, but this isn’t true of the “88.” It takes some skill, sure, but no Herculean strength to change directions, and once up to speed you can smoothly start a turn just by rolling the knees and hips into it. The Mantra 88 responds well to old-school tip pressure technique, but works best skiing from a centered stance – tail gunners need not apply; the strong tail will school you. The feeling of confidence and power when on edge – a typical Völkl trait – sets this ski apart and provides serious confidence through the turn.

Interestingly, while the Mantra 88 wants to carry speed (the ideal range seems to be ~ 35 to 40 mph), it also performed well on blue groomers with an 8-year old leading the way and wasn’t a problem on the magic carpet with a 3-year old, either. The ski is surprisingly nimble at slower speeds, which isn’t always true of groomer zoomers with 2 sheets of metal in the build. Maybe it has something to do with the 3D Radius sidecut, which true to the marketing copy tracks smoothly at the high end and turns on a dime when you need it.

Very short tip rocker (150mm) and very low rise at the tip (45mm) work fine for anything firm, but if your day starts with more than 4-5 inches of fresh, be prepared to spend time under the pow instead of floating over it. It stands to reason that most people aren’t going to walk out the door with an 88 mm-waisted ski on a pow day anyway, but if this is going to be a quiver-of-one I’d consider renting a wider, more heavily rockered ski when you see that storm system rolling in. The minimalist tip rise and rocker got a little tricky in 5-6 inches of medium density fresh snow over a frozen chunky base, when the submarining tips tend to wander – you need to really pay attention in in variable conditions like this.

Larger, smooth bumps are fun, but the smaller choppy variety can be a workout on this ski. The combination of lots of edgehold and an unforgiving tail mean flowing smoothly from turn to turn can be a challenge, people who thrive on bump skiing should probably choose another vehicle.

High speed turns on firm groomed snow is where the Mantra 88 really shines; nothing else really tops it in terms of pure power on edge and the feeling of invincibility it delivers on hard surfaces. When it hasn’t snowed in two weeks and you know the groomers have been working overtime all night, grabbing the Mantra 88 and heading out for first chair will pretty much assure you of having a good time. 

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Who Are They For?

Ideal for the advanced to expert level skier who loves fast groomers and appreciates a precise line through the turn. Best suited to wide open terrain and smooth surfaces, in places like Deer Valley, Mt. Bachelor or Sun Valley the Mantra 88 would be your daily driver and you’d be ecstatic. Lay it over on fresh corduroy and feel the love.