Last season the Mantra underwent a radical transformation, switching from a fairly traditional, cambered baseline to a double-rockered profile that obliterated any hint of camber.  Overnight, the Mantra went from a ski that etched turns with the accuracy of a wide race ski to one that treated carving and drifting as equally viable options.

The net effect of the Mantra’s metamorphosis was an elevation of its off-trail adaptability.  The new version readily conforms to the abrupt angles encountered in moguls and follows the contours of berms and wind drifts as if to the manner born.  It still isn’t enamored of tight turns and as for slow-speed skiing, it’s attitude remains, “remind me why we’re doing this?”  These quibbles aside, the new Mantra is much less finicky about how it’s steered, which makes maneuvering in dicey trees less dependent on flawless technique.

You wouldn’t think that the new Mantra’s inverted baseline would grip tenaciously on hard snow or generate much energy when compressed in soft snow.  You probably already know the answer: you’d be wrong.  “It carves despite the [change in] camber story,” asserts Matt from Footloose.  “Burly as it seems, it has a much lighter, fun feel than other wood/metal laminate skis.”