I am trying to decide between getting the Mantras and the 1080 Guns. Has anybody skied both of these and whats your opinion. I currently ski 185 Pocket Rockets. One of my main concerns is will the Mantra be as good in the bumps as the Pocket Rocket. Yes I know that neither is particularly designed to be a bump ski, but the the PR really does do very well in moguls. I average about 70 days per year and spend about 90% of my time in bounds and 10% out of bounds. I am an alpine skier. The reason I am so concerned about the bump issue is I don't have enough money to buy several pairs of skis and I want something that is fairly versatile like the PR's. Seems like if you want to ski inbounds and you want to ski the more challenging terrain on the mountain you are going to be skiing mostly bumps. Whether it be the palivaccini at a-basin or Vails bowls it all seems to get bumped out eventually. I would be interested to hear how they perform in other conditions as well and I would consider other skis. Does anybody know of any demo days coming up on the mountains or which shops have the best demo deals? Any info would be appreciated.
Depends on what kind of skier you are. Pocket Rockets are good in bumps because they are supple, forgiving, and have both lateral and torsional flex. It was a breakthrough ski that did very well for lots of different skiers.
The Volkl Mantras were a best buy this year: versatile, hard-charging, and durable. Great lateral flex, but very stiff torsionally: a great all mountain tool for all conditions.
The 1080 guns are textbook Solomon - fun, but softer, less responsive, and less stable at higher speeds. On the flip side, because they are softer, they will do better in the bumps.
You have to decide between something that skis better in moguls (1080 guns) or something that will kick ass all over the mountain and last you more than one 70-day season. Volkls are durable: wood core, versus Salomon's foam core. You can still ski the Volkls in the moguls, but you'll have to remember to stay forward. Finally, the Volkls will hold up to a beating for 2-3 years before you have to consider another purchase.
ill just say that ive been on 1080's for the past 3 seasons and that is about 100+ days, working, bc, groomers, bumps, trees, ice, steeps, speed and I love them. Im also 190, 6' and like to change up my style a little from aggresive the cruzzing. tortional stability is what i was looking for in a moderatly wide now narrow ski. hope this helps.
I competed freestyle moguls for 6 years and coached for the last 2 and I would say if you want a quality ski go with the volkl. They seem to me have some of the best lines on the slopes for free skiing the last couple of years. The solomons are going to be lighter and easier to throw around but the volkl karmas or mantras are going to give you a more stable ski all around.
I know it wasn't an option, but if you haven't tried them yet, you may want to give the K2 Seth Vicious or the Apache Chief a shot. As a tech for the past few years, I've seen several issues with the 1080 line including de-laminating, broken cores, loss of camber, and tailpiece splits. They're awsome for a season but are inconsistant after that. As for the Volkls--- I would hope you are a MUCH better skiier than me (which still doesn't say too much) to ride those on bumps!
I found the fat K2s to be the perfect place between the 2 skis you mentioned. The AK twin-tip line is stiffer (still more forgiving than Volkls) and more of a freestyle feel while the Apaches are soft skis- without the issues Salomon has. Hope this helped.
you may want to give the K2 Seth Vicious or the Apache Chief a shot.
I'll second that. Next to Volkl, K2 makes the finest line of skis, hands down. The Apache Chief is a great resort ski, and the Seth Vicious will accomplish everything you want in-bounds and when you duck the rope.
Above all, I simply can't resist: What in the sam hell are you doing skiing fat skis in moguls? Get a role model.
That said, you would do fine with the Volkl or with the Apache Chief.
Thanks for all of your responses. Sounds like the Mantra is a better choice. Paddle Bizzle, like I said I usually only have the money to buy a new pair of skis every few years. I used to ski on Volkl G3's before I got the PR's, but my wife got me the pocket rockets a few years ago and I started skiing them on the mountain and found I could ski just about everything better including bumps on them. I know it sounds funny, but when the PR's came out they were one of the wider skis available and yet I thought they were one of the best skis I had ever used in the bumps (granted I have never skied on an actual ski specifically designed for bumps). Since I really don't ski a ton of backcountry I want to get a ski that will perform well all over the hill and besides Highlands Bowl I can't think of any resorts challenging terrain that eventually doesn't get bumped out. Can you? By the way the pocket rockets aren't fat......They're American
Paddle Bizzle, like I said I usually only have the money to buy a new pair of skis every few years. I used to ski on Volkl G3's before I got the PR's, but my wife got me the pocket rockets a few years ago and I started skiing them on the mountain and found I could ski just about everything better including bumps on them. I know it sounds funny, but when the PR's came out they were one of the wider skis available and yet I thought they were one of the best skis I had ever used in the bumps
I'm glad you didn't get all teary-eyed and bunched up over my comment. Skip the Solomon's: they'll last you about a season. .
Get the Mantra or the Apache Chief and call it good. Better yet, demo them and you can ensure that you're making the right choice ust make sure you mount a Marker or Look binding.
Get a role model. 
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