Editor's Note, 27 September 2026: New review from our Whistler Blackcomb test week.
The most complete ski here: glued to the snow at speed and a bulldozer in crud, and at its best under a strong skier who likes to drive it. It averages 76 out of 100 across our six ratings in our best all-mountain skis guide.
Most Versatile All-Mountain Ski
Völkl M7 Mantra
- Status: Carryover for 2026/2027, structurally identical to the 2025 M7
- Weight: About 2,090 g per ski (177 cm)
- Construction: Tailored Titanal Frame, carbon tips, 4D Radius Drive
- Best for: Strong, forward-driving experts
- Sizes on Amazon: Listings are size-specific, check the length
Bottom Line : The most complete ski here: glued to the snow at speed and a bulldozer in crud, and at its best under a strong skier who likes to drive it.
Pros
- Rock-solid at speed
- Bulldozes afternoon crud
- Grips hard on firm snow
Cons
- Heavier than most here
- Rewards a forward stance
- Less at home in bumps
On the Mountain
Ryan and James fought over these all week. James took them straight to the Dave Murray Downhill on Whistler Mountain, and at around 50 mph on morning corduroy the 4D Radius Drive made the ski feel bolted to the mountain.
At 2:00 PM Ryan took them into the chopped-up crud of Peak to Creek, where the heavy metal construction simply bulldozed through the heavy snow.
Where It Struggled
It is a lot of ski, and it rewards good technique. Amy and our intermediate crew found it heavy and demanding, and it likes you to stay forward in your boots; lean back when you are tired and it will take charge. For strong skiers, that same weight is exactly why it is so composed at speed and in crud, and why it is the most versatile ski we tested.
Who It Suits
Best for: strong, forward-driving experts.
Compare With
- Blizzard Rustler 9: freeriders who smear, surf and pop.
- Armada Declivity 92 Ti: carvers on firm snow.
- DPS Kaizen 100: playful skiers in soft snow and trees.
See all ten in our best all-mountain skis of 2026/2027 guide.
Our Testers
This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested at Whistler Blackcomb by our lead tester and ski crew.
- Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and edits every guide. His rule: we say what we actually found.
- Ryan Williams, Lead Tester. An aggressive, heavy charger who hunts for steep, punishing terrain. Ryan has led our field tests from Whistler Blackcomb to the shore of Lake Louise.
- James Warburton, Tester. On skis since he was 3 and an ex-racer, James drives gear hard and has no patience for anything that lets go. He also tested our fat bikes at Lake Tahoe.
- Libby Louise, Tester. An expert freerider with several seasons behind her, Libby would rather surf, smear and pop off features than straight-line. She also tested our fat bikes at Lake Tahoe.
- Tom, Tester. A strong advanced skier who loves bowls and glades.
- Amy, Tester. A progressing intermediate who wants gear that builds confidence without exhausting her legs.
- The wider crew. Intermediate resort skiers who give us the everyday-skier view.
