Volkl Mantra vs BD Verdict

Howdy guys and gals,

Currently I am skiing a pair of 07/08 Volkl Manta's. They are sweet, but I have put some serious miles on them this season as snow conditions have been, ahem, a little thin. I am wondering how the 2010 version of the BD Verdict's would compare. I am pretty much a one ski quiver person (at least at this point), ski intermediate/advanced terrain, could care less about skiing bumps, and ski about 70% in resort and 30% BC. I have found the Mantra's to be easy to ski, pretty forgiving, and can really rip when I let them off the leash. From what I hear the Verdicts are similar, but a bit wider.

The main reason I ask is because the 2010 Verdicts are on sale right now for about $350. Which is a pretty sweet deal no matter what.

Thanks ya'll

Yo Will!

I skied the Verdict for three seasons (the blue, then orange pre-early rise one) and I've skied the Mantra a few days (and the Nanuq, a lighter, almost-identical backcountry version)...

The Verdict will be stiffer and a bit faster of a ski (in terms of how it wants to be skied). It's also Chinese-made instead of German.

The Mantra, in my opinion, is more versatile, tolerates smaller-radius, slower skiing if you want it to...it will also charge longer turns and bigger terrain if you push it. I always felt like the Verdict wanted to just go fast fast fast...which was pretty fun, except when dialing things back in tighter trees or on thin snowpack (when you're trying not to kill yourself on rocks and what not).

I loved the Verdict and haven't skied the new version--I'm on a BD Drift (100mm underfoot) and a Dynafit Manaslu now...I got rid of it only because I wanted something lighter.

You'll probably like it if you liked your Mantras, but on the whole I'd say the Mantra is a better ski. The Verdict, though, is a party ski and a total blast. You won't out-ski it, that's for sure, and it does great in bounds as well. Sounds like a great ski, based on what you're saying about your preferences and skiing.

Enjoy, brudda! RC

Hi Will,

I bought a pair of the orange verdicts this year and really like them. They really do rip and can handle just about anything you throw at them. They may not be as nimble as some other skis but I wanted a ski that was great for inbouds and wide enough to be good touring as well. My other skis are a superb touring ski but so-so in bounds (BD Justice) but the Verdict has been super versatile for me and I would recommend it.

Volkl? Oops, I thought that said Vodka Martini,,,guess I"ve been celebrating Superbowl too much today.,

Volkl beats Black Diamond every time when you are talking about skis. You can even tell the difference in build quality by just holding them in your hands!

A climbing equipment post about Vodka vs Volkls would have been a better thread for sure...

However, thank you for all of the honest feed back on both skis. I'm not sure what I am going to do yet, but I might just try to squeeze one more season out of my Volkls. Then, what I really need to do, is drive up to Salt Lake and demo a few BD skis. That will tell me what I really need to know. A buddy has three pairs of BD skis, skis 60-80 days/year, and loves them.

Thanks ya'll. Safe climbing and skiing out there.

Will

I'm also having this same decision issue. I am currently on a pair of 2010/11 Mantra's. Just bought them at the beginning of the 2011/12 season after being on an older pair of Mantra's that I believe are from the 2006/07 season, they're predominately red with white lettering and are a 184 length. Reluctantly I listened to a lot of people who were telling me I should drop down to a 177cm. Big mistake. I just don't like the shorter length for the type of skiing I'm doing, especially 8-10ft drops into deep powder. That's where they really disappoint me. They also seem much slower, evern with a fresh tune and wax than my older Mantra's. Since I can't demo every pair of skis I am considering, I'm trying to find info with people who have experience on the skis I'm interested in. I'm also on a pretty tight budget so the $350 sale price for the orange Verdicts is very tempting. I've also found a ski I've never heard of, the NinethWard 2010/11 Rory Silva. I can get these for what seems to be a rediculously low price in a 183cm, 111mm under foot, but I'd never heard of these and they only come with a one year warranty which concerns me. I think most skis come with a 2yr warranty? After some pretty miserable experiences with K2 I'm leary of durability issues. I ski mostly in Colo "sidecountry", lift accessed trees, powder and steeps when we have enough snow. I do some B/C skinning and want to do more but downhill performance is of top priority to me. I like to haul ass when I get a wide open stretch, or hit a groomer back to the lift. I frequently exceed 60mph so stability at speed is important as is maneuverability in the trees & pow. Sure would appreciate some points from the expreienced on either the BD Verdicts or these NinethWard boards. Thanks.

Rick Simkins wrote:Reluctantly I listened to a lot of people who were telling me I should drop down to a 177cm. Big mistake. I just don't like the shorter length for the type of skiing I'm doing, especially 8-10ft drops into deep powder.

Rick Simkins wrote:after being on an older pair of Mantra's that I believe are from the 2006/07 season, they're predominately red with white lettering and are a 184 length.

So, the debate continues...

After a bit of TLC from my local shop my Mantra's are now in pretty darn good condition. At least good enough for another season or two.

However, I am going to expand the quiver and get a little wider board with either full rocker or at least a rockered tip. The three skis in the running right now are:

K2 Sidestash
Volkl Gotama
BD Zealot

I would want to use these skis for front, side, and back country when conditions are softer snow. None of these skis are what I would call light, but my touring is generally a few thousand feet of vert per day and skinning laps in the local resort.

I'll keep the Mantra's for ice/hard pack and probably for spring touring. (and of course for gravel skiing which can and does happen here in AZ!)

Each ski seems to have it's pros and cons, but from reading the reviews it seems like plenty of people like each of them.

What do ya'll think?

P.S. The Goats are in a slight first place as my local shop has a pair on sale...

My wife has the Gotamas. They are her all time favorite ski. Pretty much all she ever skis at the resort any more.

I'm all about the small independent ski brands. There are a bunch in Colorado that make super quality skis. I really like Ski Logiks and Liberty skis. If you tele then check out Scotty Bob. If you have money then look at the carbon fiber skis made by DPS.

For what you want to do, I don't know why you wouldn't go with a wider ski than what you have in your list. To me, the Mantras ski great in powder up to a foot. Past that, I'd want something in the waist that is at least 115 to 130. I have the BD Amperage (115 at the waist) and I love that ski with a Dynafit setup. They are by far the lightest ski I've owned and super fun in the pow, with shortcomings in the crud and hard crud. Their lightness comes in handy when touring as I am sure you can imagine.

If I had to pick out of your choices currently, I'd give an edge to the Zealot because it is the widest and lightest I believe. I'd kick off the Sidestash bc I am not a fan of K2 any longer and a second place to the Gotama because Volkls are always great.

Go for the gotamas. If you do I don't think you'll ride the mantras again other than on really icey days.

Jeremy Kasmann wrote: Strange advice, go shorter for high speed and deep powder? There are a ton of options but if you want a deal, maybe the Supermojo 105s on level9 would be a better fit than the NWs?

Buy the goats! I had a pair of 09-10's with Marker Duke bindings and that setup will suit your every need.

Moment skis is having a great sale on their website right now. Quality boards, built in US, great prices. Once you get over the funky tip/tails they are a great alternative to whats listed above.

Jeff brings up a very good point here which is: There is quite a bit of overlap between the skis I own and the models I am looking to purchase. Why wouldn't I just go with something allot bigger like the AMP or Megawatt that can handle deeper pow. Well, here is what I am thinking: Much of the time down here we don't get huge storms that would mandate a ski like the AMP or the Megawatt. Combine that with the variable conditions in NoAZ Something like the Goats or Zealots would perform well in the powder conditions that we have and still be able to deal with variable conditions elsewhere. At some point in the future I could see adding one of the soon to be released BD skis like the Carbon Megawatt or Carbon Justice. It is good to hear that you love your AMPs. Those skis look awesome...

I also own a pair of older Saloman 1080 Guns. I may use those as my hard/poor snow skis and move the Mantras on to a new home once I finally make a choice.

So many skis to choose from makes this quite difficult.