The Volkl Aura (2009) is the women's answer to the Mantra. The same performance and width with a lighter wood core and softer flex in the nose to accomodate the specific biophysics of a woman skier. A 94mm waist handles the soft stuff with aplomb, but the Sensorwood core with titanium reinforcement drives the edge into hardpack like there is no tomorrow. For an all-conditions, all-locations ride, the Aura has every other ski beat.