We know a number of expert skiers with decades of experience who get the Völkl Mantra 102 Skis as their "mid-fat" option, but end up using it every day of the season. That speaks volumes about the Mantra 102's ability to tame everything from fall-you-die steeps to magic carpets with toddlers, as well as variable snow conditions from groomed to pow to chunder. This is a strongly directional design that prefers speed, so if you're that skier you'll find it hard to make a better choice.