THE GEAR PICKER
skis / compare
Head-to-head · all-mountain

Blizzard Black Pearl 88 vs Völkl Mantra 88 W

The Black Pearl 88 and the Mantra 88 W compared. They share 88 mm underfoot. The Black Pearl 88 is 10 g lighter at the default length (1,680 vs 1,690 g). Turn radii are 14 m and 13.2 m.

Blizzard Black Pearl 88 — topsheet
Black Pearl 88
$750 MSRP 6 lengths · 146, 152, 158, 164, 170, 176 cm
Völkl Mantra 88 W — topsheet
Mantra 88 W
$850 MSRP 4 lengths · 149, 156, 163, 170 cm

Where each ski sits across every ski we carry

Black Pearl 88
Mantra 88 W
Waist
88 mm
88 mm
Narrower · firmer-snowWider · powder
Weight
1,680 g
1,690 g
Lighter · playfulHeavier · damp & planted
Tip taper
38.5 mm
46 mm
Straighter · grippyMore taper · loose
Turn radius
14.0 m
13.2 * m
Shorter · quickLonger · stable
* A flagged radius is the underfoot figure from a multi-radius sidecut, measured differently than a single full-length radius — the positions are not strictly comparable.

Head to head, by character

Each ski's own read, side by side — the same three things that define how it skis.
Turn & shape
A 14.0-meter radius sits in the all-purpose range — turn shapes that shorten up or open out without committing to either; a moderate tip taper keeps turn entry easy while the shovel still engages.
A three-radius sidecut blends a shorter radius at the tip and tail with a longer one underfoot, so turn shape changes with how hard the ski is driven — tighter entry, longer and steadier through the arc.
Stability & dampness
A single titanal layer sits over the core — targeted dampening that settles the ski without the full weight of a sheet, keeping more life in the tips and tails. At 1,680 g it stays maneuverable underfoot.
A partial titanal frame stiffens the core — targeted dampening that settles the ski without the full weight of a sheet, keeping more life in the tips and tails. At 1,690 g it stays maneuverable underfoot.
Float & width
At 88 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.
At 88 mm it's an all-rounder leaning toward firm snow — enough width for soft conditions, still quick on edge. Rocker at tip and tail lets it smear and release easily, while the camber underfoot keeps an edge.

Full spec comparison

SpecBlack Pearl 88Mantra 88 W
Waist 88 mm 88 mm
Sidecut 126.5·88·108.5 mm 134·88·114 mm
Weight @ default 1,680 g 1,690 g
Weight range 1,450–1,860 g 1,620–1,800 g
Turn radius 14.0 m full-length 13.2 m underfoot · multi-radius
Metal Single titanal Partial titanal frame
Core Beech wood core Multilayer woodcore
Lengths 146–176 cm 149–170 cm
MSRP $750 $850

* The two skis may measure turn radius differently. A multi-radius sidecut publishes a separate radius per section; the figure shown is the underfoot radius, which reads tighter than the ski's real all-mountain turn shape. We show each as published rather than forcing a false match.