The smaller and decidedly more womanly version of the Mantra, the Völkl Aura rips just as hard as its big brother. With all-mountain skis, versatility is the name of the game, which is why the Aura has a rockered tip but a traditional tail. The tip helps float the ski when needed, and the tail keeps the power and stability intact, whatever the conditions. Vertically laminated sheets of wood, Völkl’s Sensorwood core, give the Aura a lightweight yet powerful platform on which to perform. “It’s a super stable carver and the wider platform is great for variable conditions,” explained one tester.