Industry News
The legendary Völkl Mantra and Secret, the cornerstones of the All Mountain Freeride series, are transformed for the 24/25 season with the release of the M7 Mantra and Secret 96. These next-generation skis are characterized by increased stability, liveliness and maneuverability and offer more versatility for an exciting experience on and off groomers. Along with Völkl’s proven innovations of Tailored Titanal Frame, for reduced weight and increased stability, and Tailored Carbon Tips, for improved responsiveness, the M7 Mantra and Secret 96 get Völkl’s latest innovation of 4 Radius Drive. Together, these advancements redefine skiing possibilities, setting a new standard for enjoyment on the slopes. With the introduction of the M7 Mantra and the new Secret 96, the renowned Bavarian ski manufacturer ushers in the next era, presenting a new generation that epitomizes Völkl’s dedication to innovation, offering an exceptional skiing adventure.
Climate change has challenged skiers with dynamic and unpredictable snow conditions, on and off-piste. Völkl has considered these factors in the crafting their new All Mountain Freeride models by incorporating innovative technologies like the 4 Radius Drive. These skis offer stability and durability without sacrificing the enjoyment of skiing. The result is an extraordinary skiing experience across diverse snow conditions, providing precision, pleasure and ease for a broader range of consumers.
Revolutionizing turn dynamics: Völkl introduces 4 Radius Drive
In contrast to its predecessor, the M7 Mantra uses 4 Radius Drive design – an advanced development of the proven 3D Radius Sidecut, a Völkl innovation not yet offered by any other manufacturer. With this technology, Völkl sets a new benchmark for the ability to vary the turn radius and combine easy handling with rock-solid stability. This new design provides maximum versatility for various snow conditions both on piste and off piste, increased stability on hard surfaces, and improved performance on soft snow.
The ski features different radii at four different points, which create a unique combination of tip precision, resilience and agility: To achieve maximum precision and agility, a tighter radius (approx. 20 m) is incorporated in the shovel, fostering a more immediate response to the skier’s initial edge movement.
- Front / R2: The open radius (approx. 40 m) in the front part, situated between the shovel and toe binding of the ski, enhances the ski’s resistance to disturbances, providing increased stability at higher speeds.
- Center / R3: A tight radius (approx. 15 m) in the camber area imparts increased agility, responding promptly to even slight edge movements from the skier, facilitating the necessary buildup of energy for executing short turns or trench digging carves.
- Tail / R4: The moderate radius (approx. 25 m) at the ski end facilitate controlled and situation-adapted dynamics at the end of the turn, offering optimal support for a smooth transition into the next turn.
This design offers versatility on and off trails, allowing skiers to seamlessly switch between long and short turns while reducing the risk of tip deflection in varying snow conditions. From groomed slopes to tight trees, the 4 Radius Drive design enhances the performance range of these models, known for their exceptional versatility.
Tailored Technologies for enhanced ski performance and sustainability
Among the highlights in the ski’s construction is also the integration of Völkl’s exclusive Tailored technologies. The Tailored Titanal Frame precisely situates the Titanal frame along the ski’s edge, adjusting the frame width according to each ski length. This not only reduces weight, but also enhances agility with less effort. The result is a ski that is easily controllable and responsive to changing conditions, tailoring power and stability to the skier’s height and weight. Additionally, the Tailored Carbon Tips contribute to precise control in diverse skiing conditions and increased tip agility for quick short turns. The orientation and thickness of the fibers, combined with their arrangement angle, enable the ski to accumulate energy with minimal force. For the new models, the layout of the carbon stringers has been re-designed to optimize torsion and rigidity in the tip. The integration of these technologies collectively facilitates improved ski control and the initiation of precise turns.
The resource-efficient use of materials, like the use of Tailored Titanal Frame and the Tailored Carbon Tips, is an example of Völkl’s commitment to sustainability. In addition, Völkl’s facility in Straubing uses 100 percent renewable electricity supplied by the local Danube hydropower plant in Kagers. And starting January 1, 2024, the company will begin using CO2-compensated gas to further reduce its climate-impacting emissions and achieve its goal of climate neutrality.
As a counterpart to the M7 Mantra, the evolution of the Secret 96 will become part of the Secret All Mountain Freeride line for women in the 2024/25 season. Here, too, the key technologies used in the M7 Mantra are applied: 4 Radius Drive, Tailored Titanal Frame and Tailored Carbon Tips provide improved dynamics, agility, and versatility.
