Volkl Mantra vs. 4Frnt MSP? and maybe Line Prophet 90?

My friend is deciding between the mantra and the MSP or the prophet 90. Please help me out.

Weight: 160
Height: 5'11

MSP either 181 or 187
Mantra either 177 or 184

Agressive skier rides east coast about 15 days a season and west coast about 12. Looking for something good all around (deep stuff, park, trees, bumps, groomers). Something good at high speeds.

Any recommendations on bindings? Is it cool to use a pair of salomon s912s that have skied 40-50 days?

Thanks to anyone who gives some advice.

Mantra is my preferred ski. It handles everything it runs across, except other skiers and boarders.

they have about the same stiffness but the construction & feel somewhat completely different. 2 sheets of metal on the Mantra vs wood core on the MSP & the prophet... They are all excellent choices though, he should buy the cheapest of these if hes only gonna us'em 25 days a year. If he weighs more than 200lbs or hes a charger, he should get the longer version, if not, get the shorties.

I'm near your size (6'1" & 175lbs) and I ski the 08' 184 Mantra as my everyday ski on the west coast. They're quite good on ice and hardpack, and they also well enough in soft snow. On the best days in the west you'll need something bigger. I ski a lot of the same things as you; I spend a lot of time in the trees and CS, a bit of bump work and groomers to get back to the lift. They're a nice compromise for all those things.

If I had to do it all over again I might go with LPs, but the Mantras fit the bill well enough for now.

I've got them mounted up with Jesters on the "I".

as for the 912s... i would recommend looking for something else... too much plastic. i've broken a pair straight in half before (and even before they broke there was way too much play in the binding for my looking), and i know theres another thread on here right now where someone with some x-screams and scramblers has broken several pairs as well.

All good choices, but not the best in that genre for pow. Mantras tip dive, MSPs are a little too stiff, and prophet 90s aren't quite wide enough. Go for the prophet 100s, they handle groomers, harpack and everything else with mad stoke, and they eat up pow.

Or, dynastar big troubles are a really fun ski. Great ski for east. And the volkl bridge is great, soft tip, stiff tail, super buttery and fun, similar to pocket rockets.

If you're going to go with Volkl consider the Gotamas. I tried them out in Alta in lieu of the Mantras and never looked back. They perform remarkably well on groomers despite the added width, and you'll never regret it during days spent out West.

Another vote for the Mantra, I use it as my everyday resort ski in CO. Love it. Great hardpack ski, decent in powder and crud. Quick edge to edge, manageable in bumps. I'm 200 and use the 184, which is short for me, I found a great deal on it, but if I had a do-over I would go 191. I have a Katana 190 now for deep days, and now I wish I had found a 197. You would think I would learn longer is often better.

bump, im debating the Mantra(184) and MSP(187) for a do it all ski. im 6 ft 185 lb, i ski the east, but looking for a ski i can also take west for trips

i like fast gs turns, a little tree skiing and hitting some booters in the park when it hasnt snowed in a few days

ive read the mantra is basically a wide gs ski which appeals to me but im concerned about bending the metal laminate on jumps.

the MSP seems damp and stiff which also appeals to me but ive never ridden a ski with a dual turn radius, so im not sure what to expect.

im leaning on the MSP right now

Seems to me your priorities are oil and water: Doing booters in the park and GS turns. Mantra will be better for hardpack, big turns at speed, but sucks in firm bumps (tail's too stiff), is very nice pivoting in trees as long as it's soft. Cannot conceive of doing air on them, but certain some have. Pretty stiff ski for that, though. Great AT sidebounds ski; my last pair were dedicated for that.

MSP is softer, damper, will be better in trees and bumps, has a totally different feel, probably take landings better (never did any serious air on mine), but not nearly as good ripping high speed turns on groomers, still nice in crud. The dual radius is a bit more obvious than some; you can really feel when it changes. Some like that some don't.

Both nice skis, but I'd take the Mantras every time. My .02.

Mantras are awesome all around skis. Do everything pretty well. Never been on a ski 96mm underfoot that performs as well as the Mantra on hard conditions/groomers, but this comes at a bit of soft snow compromise. Also good in crud and shitty snow.

What about the Bro 183's?

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Originally Posted by jcnoble5

What about the Bro 183's?

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Larger turning radius on the Bros makes them pretty different. The old ones (green topsheet made in Europe) ski like a less damp, more lively Legend Pro. They don't have the same feel as other Bros I've used. Their shape makes them better in bumps than Mantras (I haven't used MSP's) but they require more input in general. The float better than Mantras and have a higher top speed, but also don't quit wake up until you build up some speed. Mantras can work well for intermediates. Bros do not. I like Mantras on groomers. I like Bros everywhere.

blizzard atlas 94mm underfoot. blizzard kills the mantra.

the turn radius on the Bro is larger than what im looking for. i realize the MSP and Mantra are very different besides similar dimensions but they both appeal to me. are the Mantra's still made in Germany?

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Originally Posted by Beyond

Seems to me your priorities are oil and water: Doing booters in the park and GS turns. Mantra will be better for hardpack, big turns at speed, but sucks in firm bumps (tail's too stiff), is very nice pivoting in trees as long as it's soft. Cannot conceive of doing air on them, but certain some have. Pretty stiff ski for that, though. Great AT sidebounds ski; my last pair were dedicated for that.

MSP is softer, damper, will be better in trees and bumps, has a totally different feel, probably take landings better (never did any serious air on mine), but not nearly as good ripping high speed turns on groomers, still nice in crud. The dual radius is a bit more obvious than some; you can really feel when it changes. Some like that some don't.

Both nice skis, but I'd take the Mantras every time. My .02.

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I definitely agree with this except the MSP is not that much softer and is definitely NOT damper. The Mantra has metal to keep it damp and slightly stiffer. The MSP is much livilier and better for popping and landing. The MSP is quicker. The Mantra rails better.

They are very very similar skis. The differeince is mostly:

Mantra: Damper, slightly stiffer, more weight
MSP: Poppy, slightly softer, quicker to maneuver

VERY SIMILAR. They are both notably stiffer than say a K2 Extreme (Public Enemy) and both are harder in the tight trees and bumps vs a PE (the Mantra more so).

I rock the 4FRNT MSP!

If I could have two skis of that class, I'd rock the Mantra AND the K2 Extreme. Just having one, I went with the MSP. I previously used the Public Enemy for 6 years.

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Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Mantras can work well for intermediates. Bros do not. I like Mantras on groomers.

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QFT

I had some great days on the Mantras, but wouldn't buy again. They do great on groomers and okay everywhere else, but the shovel is too big. It's a decently stiff ski so you want to push it, but once you gain any speed in soft snow the tip gets hooky. Too bad you don't want the 177's, you could buy mine in gear trade ;)

I originally owned the Mantras but made the switch to MSP's last year. Both are great skis, but I prefer the Mantras. The skis are very similar, but the Mantras have more of the GS ski feel to them. They are both great for choppy stuff, but I love getting out and making the big carved turns on the groomers too. Mantras win in this category by far. Both are great skis, it just comes down to personal preference. I am considering selling my MSP's this year so I can switch back to Mantras.

I've skied all three of those, and for what your friend is looking to do, and ability level, you can't go wrong with the MSP, stiffer, dual turn radius, very solid feeling in almost all conditions, handles all gears very well. Has a decent waist width too so it won't completely sink in the fresh. Lengthwise, with his height and weight, he could go either 181 or 187.

Was not a fan of the prophet 90, and the Mantra was pretty good all around, but did not feel as solid to me as the MSP (It is heavier). Also, if your friend is doing some riding in the park and actually skis switch, the mantra has no twin, just a small kick-tail...not meant to be ridden switch (but who cares what it's meant for right)

As for the binding question, If you say he is an aggressive rider at his height and weight, you may want to tell him to look at something with a DIN around 15-16 ala fks 155, sth 14 or 16, or 916's if you're lucky enough to find a pair. Your friend should know what he REALLY needs though...