anywhere to demo Line Prophet 98's?

Trying to decide between volkl mantras and prophet 98s for an AT setup that will be 75% resort / 25% BC.

I've skied last years mantras and I liked them, It was recommended to me to try a pair of prophet 98s before buying. Any opinions?

Also I saw last years mantras for 450 new, worth it or were their big changes in the 11/12 model?

I'm an intermediate skier, I was off skis for 14 years up until two weeks ago, I have a feeling I'll improve quickly.

The Lines are fairly light, so they make for a nice light BC rig with Dynafits. Cons - cap construction, short turn radius, tips are a bit stiff for deep snow, and the twin tip sucks for attaching skins at the tail, they do have beefy edges so you can dremmel a notch in the tail to keep the skin clip from sliding off the side.

Volkls heavier but sandwich construction, damper and better turn radius, which IMO makes for better resort ski than the Lines. Good, fun ski. For most resort skiers, it is a perfect ski - hence why everyone and their mother is on them.

If you are set on that range of ski, you have to check out the Nordica Enforcer - better than both the Prophet and Mantra for use as primarily a resort ski. Sandwich construction, super damp, decent turn radius, a bit heavy - but they ski like a friendly steamroller. My favorite of the three.

As for differences between last years model and this year, can't say for certain but my guess is this years model will have some tip rocker.

EDIT: as for demo, might try Christy Sports.

Check out the Armada TST. I saw the Prophets and TST both at Christy Sports the other day available for demo.
youtube.com/watch?v=UMzEw0A…

JoeP wrote:The Lines are fairly light, so they make for a nice light BC rig with Dynafits. Cons - cap construction, short turn radius, tips are a bit stiff for deep snow, and the twin tip sucks for attaching skins at the tail, they do have beefy edges so you can dremmel a notch in the tail to keep the skin clip from sliding off the side. Volkls heavier but sandwich construction, damper and better turn radius, which IMO makes for better resort ski than the Lines. Good, fun ski. For most resort skiers, it is a perfect ski - hence why everyone and their mother is on them. If you are set on that range of ski, you have to check out the Nordica Enforcer - better than both the Prophet and Mantra for use as primarily a resort ski. Sandwich construction, super damp, decent turn radius, a bit heavy - but they ski like a friendly steamroller. My favorite of the three. As for differences between last years model and this year, can't say for certain but my guess is this years model will have some tip rocker. EDIT: as for demo, might try Christy Sports.

I checked REI's site and it says the Volkl's are actually lighter than the Lines, and they're both directional not twin tip. I'l give Christy a call, that's where I demo'ed the mantra's, I didn't see the prophets though. I'll check out the enforcers too thanks.

Rossi S3 might also be worth a demo - something that is a different style from the Mantra.

Nick Mardirosian wrote: I checked REI's site and it says the Volkl's are actually lighter than the Lines, and they're both directional not twin tip. I'l give Christy a call, that's where I demo'ed the mantra's, I didn't see the prophets though. I'll check out the enforcers too thanks.

I see 4000g/pr for all the Mantra sizes on REI...so which size are they referring to? I don't see weights on the Volkl site. Line lists the P98 179 at 2163g/ski.

Jeremy Kasmann wrote: I see 4000g/pr for all the Mantra sizes on REI...so which size are they referring to? I don't see weights on the Volkl site. Line lists the P98 179 at 2163g/ski.

Yep Mantra's are 4,000gm Prophets are 4,326gm. He said the Prophets were lighter. Either way at my level I don't think it really matters. I just wanted to clear up any confusion.

I called Christy they have the prophets for demo, no enforcers but they do have the hell and back I core's which sound like they might be pretty good.

Nick Mardirosian wrote: I checked REI's site and it says the Volkl's are actually lighter than the Lines, and they're both directional not twin tip. I'l give Christy a call, that's where I demo'ed the mantra's, I didn't see the prophets though. I'll check out the enforcers too thanks.

I stand corrected re weight. Sure seemed heavier, but hey that was a few years ago.

However, the Prophets are twins, while the Mantra is a flat tail. I promise you. I don't know what the hell "directional" means other than Prophets are not a center mounted park ski.

JoeP wrote: I stand corrected re weight. Sure seemed heavier, but hey that was a few years ago. However, the Prophets are twins, while the Mantra is a flat tail. I promise you. I don't know what the hell "directional" means other than Prophets are not a center mounted park ski.

haha it's all good. I have a list of skis to demo now before i buy

Armada TSTs
prophet 98s
Nordica Hell and back I-core
Nordica Enforcers if I can find them.

Nick, have fun demoing skis. I'm jealous, I wanted to get new boards this year, but with a new kiddo my ski season is gonna be limited, so can't really justify the investment. Oh well, just have to keep focused on climbing.

You just moved out from Chi-town, right? I spent a couple years in the NW burbs in highschool - used to roll up to Wilmot almost everday after school and weekends. While it was fun, can't say I miss it!

Hope you have a good season out here.

JoeP wrote:Nick, have fun demoing skis. I'm jealous, I wanted to get new boards this year, but with a new kiddo my ski season is gonna be limited, so can't really justify the investment. Oh well, just have to keep focused on climbing. You just moved out from Chi-town, right? I spent a couple years in the NW burbs in highschool - used to roll up to Wilmot almost everday after school and weekends. While it was fun, can't say I miss it! Hope you have a good season out here.

haha yep thanks man! I tried to avoid wilmot and did the 3 hour drive to cascade instead but it still sucked! I'm still getting paid from my last job so I figure I might as well buy some toys before I become a broke ass!

'm still getting paid from my last job so I figure I might as well buy some toys before I become a broke ass!

Make sure you save some for an Avi 1 course, beacon, probe, etc. if you are looking at doing any back country stuff they are are must have. Backcountry.com has beacons on sale currently, along with shovels and probes.

rickpat wrote:'m still getting paid from my last job so I figure I might as well buy some toys before I become a broke ass! Make sure you save some for an Avi 1 course, beacon, probe, etc. if you are looking at doing any back country stuff they are are must have. Backcountry.com has beacons on sale currently, along with shovels and probes.

Tried to get my wife and I into the CMS course this weekend but they only had 1 open space. We've done two awareness classes so far. Hopefully I'll have it done before mid-january. Probably won't venture into avalanche terrain until next year anyways she needs to up her skill. (No she doesn't read this website) hahahaha.

The Prophet 98s are a good ski, probably my favorite that I have demoed. They definitely hold an edge on the groomers, since you said you were going to be at the resort most of the time. Not sure about BC pow.

My friend owns Prophet 130s and crushes the BC. He does pretty well in-bounds, too. At the same time, he's a big dude.

Of course, the 130s are pretty damn heavy if you are planning to skin very far.

Premier Sports in Vail has prophet 98's and TST's. Check em out if your ever in Lions Head. Next to the Liquor store.