Volkl Mantra 102 vs Black Crows Justice: Two All-Mountain Skis Compared

Introduction

Two all-mountain skis sit at the centre of the roughly 100mm category for riders who want one setup that handles firm groomers, soft snow, and everything in between. The Volkl Mantra 102 and the Black Crows Justice both live in that space, and both run metal edge to edge underfoot to deliver power and stability when you are charging down firm or icy snow.

The meaningful difference is how far that metal travels along the ski. That single design decision shapes how stiff the tip feels, how easily the ski starts a turn, and how wide a range of skiers will get along with it.

Both skis are capable of strong carving and both can be pushed hard. The question is not which one is better in absolute terms, but which one matches your style, your ability, and the terrain you actually ride.

How These Two Skis Compare

The Volkl Mantra 102 measures 102mm underfoot. The Black Crows Justice measures 100mm underfoot. That two-millimetre gap is not what separates them.

What separates them is the metal layup. Both skis use full metal edge to edge underfoot, which is the foundation of their grip and stability on firm or icy snow. Beyond that, the Volkl carries more metal through the ski, while the Black Crows stops its metal halfway up.

That difference shows up in three places: how stiff the tip feels, how much effort turn initiation takes, and how forgiving the ski is when the terrain gets tight or the snow gets variable. It also changes who the ski suits. A stronger, more aggressive skier can take advantage of a stiffer tip, while a wider spread of abilities will find more to like in a softer one.

Volkl Mantra 102: A Hard-Charging Ski With a Demanding Tip

The Mantra 102 uses a tailored titanal frame. The metal creeps up the edge of the ski and wraps around the tip and the tail, which puts noticeably more metal into the front of the ski than the Justice carries.

The practical result is a ski that feels much stiffer in the tip. That translates into a ride that is a touch more demanding and a little harder to initiate a turn. It is a hard-charging ski, and it rewards a skier who is willing to drive it rather than ride it passively.

That stiffness is the point, not a flaw. Skiers who already love the Volkl DNA, including the Kendo and the M6, will feel immediately at home here. The character is consistent with what that family of skis is known for.

It is not a single-purpose ski. Riders with the ability to maneuver it through the woods, the trees, and tighter spaces will find that it responds. The trade-off is simply that it asks more of the person standing on it than the Black Crows does.

Black Crows Justice: A More Versatile, Approachable All-Mountain Ski

The Justice takes the opposite approach to its metal. The metal stops halfway up the ski, which leaves the tip softer than the Mantra’s.

A softer tip makes the ski feel more nimble and easier to initiate a turn. That single change widens the ski’s versatility considerably. It makes the Justice a better companion for dumping speed, jumping off trail, heading into the trees, or skiing bumps with friends.

It is also the much more approachable ski for a wide variety of skiing abilities. A rider who is still building confidence in variable terrain will get more out of the Justice than out of a stiffer, more demanding platform.

None of that means it lacks backbone. The Black Crows Justice absolutely rails a turn and can keep up with the best of them. It simply delivers that performance in a package that is easier to access and easier to keep on line when conditions change underfoot.

Terrain and Conditions: Where Each Ski Shines

On firm or icy snow, both skis lean on the same foundation. Full metal edge to edge underfoot is what gives each of them the power and stability to hold an edge when the surface is hard and unforgiving. If your days are mostly spent on groomers with a firm base, neither ski will leave you wanting for grip.

The split appears as the terrain gets tighter or the snow gets more variable. In the trees, in bumps, and in the kind of off-trail pockets where you need to dump speed quickly and pivot on demand, the Justice’s softer tip makes the work noticeably easier. It is the ski that stays composed when you have to change your line halfway through a turn.

The Mantra 102 prefers a different brief. It wants speed, commitment, and open space where its stiffer tip can load up and hold. Give it that and it feels planted and confident. Ask it to wiggle through a tight tree line at low speed and it will let you know it is working harder than the Justice would be.

For riders splitting their season between groomed mornings and softer afternoons, the deciding factor is usually how much of the day happens in tight terrain. The more time you spend in trees, bumps, and off-trail lines, the more the Justice’s easier turn initiation matters.

Which Ski Is Right for You?

Choose the Volkl Mantra 102 if you are a strong, confident skier who wants a planted, hard-charging ride and does not mind putting in the effort to get it. If you have liked the Kendo or the M6, the Mantra 102 is the natural step in that direction. It is built for riders who ski fast, hold long turns, and want a tip that stays stiff when they lean on it.

Choose the Black Crows Justice if you want one ski that covers more ground with less effort. It suits a wider spread of abilities, and it is the better pick if your days regularly include trees, bumps, jumps, and speed control rather than pure open-trail charging. It still rails a turn and still keeps up with strong skiers, but it gets there with a softer tip and easier turn initiation.

The honest framing is that these are two answers to the same question. The Mantra 102 asks more and gives back a stiffer, more demanding platform. The Justice asks less and gives back versatility. Match the ski to the way you actually spend your days on the mountain rather than to the way you would like to ski, and either one will serve you well.

Conclusion

Both the Volkl Mantra 102 and the Black Crows Justice share the same core advantage: metal edge to edge underfoot for power and stability on firm or icy snow. From there, the tailored titanal frame and wrapped tip of the Mantra 102 push it toward a stiffer, more demanding, hard-charging feel, while the Black Crows Justice stops its metal halfway up the ski for a softer tip, easier turn initiation, and greater versatility.

Pick the Mantra 102 if you want to charge and you have the ability to maneuver it through tighter spaces. Pick the Justice if you want a more approachable ski that handles trees, bumps, off-trail pockets, and a wider range of abilities without giving up the ability to rail a turn.