Trouble deciding on the right ski

Posts: 9 - Karma: 17

Dec 23 2015 5:50PM

Blizzard Bonafide, Nordica Enforcer, or Volkl Mantra. Im looking at these and am stuck between which ones I want to drop the money on. Ive needed a new pair for several years now and am looking for a 1 ski quiver i can shred anything on. Any insight, personal experience, or suggestions are appreciated.

I ski 50% off trail - 35% groomers - 15% park/freeride/other

I like a medium to stiff ski around 100mm underfoot that I can ride aggressively when I want but also be forgiving enough for me to be able to ride all day on. from the research ive done already on the 3 skis i mentioned already, ive found positives and negatives for each one. cant narrow it down. fully rockered or cambered idk. Im 6'3 180lbs so a bit on the lighter side but still an advanced/expert skier. also, I ski in the NW area. what are your opinions on these skiis? also been kinda looking at the armada arv and volkl bridge to name a few more.

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gnar_whal

Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,787

Dec 23 2015 8:16PM

None of the above?

ON3P Kartel 106. Or 98 if you want something a bit less wide.

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japanada

Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957

Dec 23 2015 10:14PM

What about the katana in a 184/191? At 108ish underfoot its much more all mtn than the mantra, and will handle sierra cement and chop exponentially better.

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Bogs

Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361

Dec 24 2015 12:32AM

None of the Bonafide, Enforcer, or Mantra are really skis you'd want to take into the park.

The Mantra is definitely the most demanding of the three, and will kick your ass if you're not on your game, but will also be the most rewarding on sketchy terrain in shitty conditions if you are. It also doesn't have camber underfoot, so won't be as playful or poppy on groomers as the bonafide or Mantra.

Bonafide is the tweener ski of the three, still demanding, but not so much as the Mantra, but not quite as energetic and playful as the enforcer.

Enforcer is the most playful, energetic ski of the bunch, but still provides a solid level of stability. As you probably know, people have been raving about it.

You can't really go wrong with any of these skis, and chances are if you like one of them, you'll like all of them, so I doubt you'll be disappointed regardless of the direction you go in.

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mistate

Posts: 9 - Karma: 17

Dec 24 2015 12:58AM

BogsNone of the Bonafide, Enforcer, or Mantra are really skis you'd want to take into the park.

The Mantra is definitely the most demanding of the three, and will kick your ass if you're not on your game, but will also be the most rewarding on sketchy terrain in shitty conditions if you are. It also doesn't have camber underfoot, so won't be as playful or poppy on groomers as the bonafide or Mantra.

Bonafide is the tweener ski of the three, still demanding, but not so much as the Mantra, but not quite as energetic and playful as the enforcer.

Enforcer is the most playful, energetic ski of the bunch, but still provides a solid level of stability. As you probably know, people have been raving about it.

You can't really go wrong with any of these skis, and chances are if you like one of them, you'll like all of them, so I doubt you'll be disappointed regardless of the direction you go in.

Interesting, I would have thought that the mantra would be the least demanding since its fully rockered, unlike the other 2. When i skiied the old mantras, before they took away the camber, i really enjoyed them. I would assume those would probably be most comparable to the bonafide. thanks for the imput.

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Bogs

Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361

Dec 24 2015 6:58AM

mistateInteresting, I would have thought that the mantra would be the least demanding since its fully rockered, unlike the other 2. When i skiied the old mantras, before they took away the camber, i really enjoyed them. I would assume those would probably be most comparable to the bonafide. thanks for the imput.

Wouldn't surprise me if you liked the new mantra a lot, too. It's just stiffer, has more metal, than the bonafide/enforcer, but the lack of camber helps increase maneuverability in tight spaces, so itsn't an unmanageable ski by any means. Lack of camber does also make it less fun on groomers because you don't get that pop out of a turn the way you do on a cambered ski, obviously.

Can you demo any of them?

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mistate

Posts: 9 - Karma: 17

Dec 26 2015 3:43PM

BogsWouldn't surprise me if you liked the new mantra a lot, too. It's just stiffer, has more metal, than the bonafide/enforcer, but the lack of camber helps increase maneuverability in tight spaces, so itsn't an unmanageable ski by any means. Lack of camber does also make it less fun on groomers because you don't get that pop out of a turn the way you do on a cambered ski, obviously.

Can you demo any of them?

Yeah my local ski shop carries Volkl so im thinking i will just demo the mantras. And like you said earlier, theyre all similar skis so if im happy with them ill probably go for it. 191 if i can, may be a little long but thats what you want with a fully rockered ski, right?

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Bogs

Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361

Dec 26 2015 11:01PM

mistateYeah my local ski shop carries Volkl so im thinking i will just demo the mantras. And like you said earlier, theyre all similar skis so if im happy with them ill probably go for it. 191 if i can, may be a little long but thats what you want with a fully rockered ski, right?

All depends on your skiing style and the kind of terrain you ski most/want the ski to perform on best. As you know longer skis are more stable at speed but less maneuverable and vice versa for shorter skis. At your height and weight you could definitely get away with either especially if you're a stronger skier, but the 184 will feel much easier to use and more friendly in the bumps and trees, if you care about that. Never hurts to demo both lengths if you can and see which you like better.

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