53 comments on “2013-2014 Atomic Bent Chetler”

  1. I was one of the bigger guys who wished there was a longer Bent Chetler after riding my 183. Got the 192s and love them. That being said I have a set of 10/11 183s in exceptional condition for sale on the West Coast.

    • I skied Bibby Pro (190 cm) for the last two winters and now I’ve been 10 days on the 2013-2014 Bent Chetler (192 cm).

      There is no doubt that the Bibby Pro is more stable at high speeds and in difficult conditions, but the BC is also a surprisingly good overall ski. In deep powder BC is obviously in my opinion better and more easily skied than Bibby Pro. (Because of the width, rocker and lighter tip)

      The centered mount of the BC takes a little time to get used to (as pointed out in the review) compared to Bibby’s more traditional mount. But once you’ve skied a couple of days you really don’t notice it anymore and it makes life a lot easier in some situations. Also I did not notice any difficulties carving high speed turns in hard groomed slopes. (Ice is another thing for skis this wide)

  2. Jason,

    Great review. I am looking into picking up the BC as an east coast powder ski and travel ski for west coast trips. I am 6 foot and 235 and am leaning towards the 192, but am wondering if the 183 is better suited to tighter eastern runs.

    The only rockered ski I’ve been on is the Atomic Coax (183) which is only 105 under foot. It is also fairly center mounted and I use it 90% of my ski days. The Coax only has early rise tip and really has no tail rocker. With the significant tip and tail rocker of the BC, will it ski fairly short? is the BC a ski that can shed speed quickly when needed?

    Thanks,

    Bill

  3. Anything new on the Bent Chetler 2013/2014?

    I’ve tried the new 13/14 last Saturday at the Alta Demo Day and the bent chetler is just the perfect powder skis for a light guy! I’m pretty small at 5’5″/150 and I had absolutely no problems driving the 183cm. Amazing ski!

    • Hi Marcel,

      I am a similar weight , height to you. From viewing reviews these ski look to tick the boxes for a powder ski. Did you have any time on the groomers, namely firm snow. If so how did they perform?

      gerald

      • Hey gerald!

        The Bent Chetler is better than I was expecting on firm snow. The demo day wasn’t really a good pow day, it had some fresh to be found specially at the ballroom area which was closed the days before the demo day at Alta. The Bent Chetler is easy and nice to jib around firm snow and it’s not a ski that you would be unhappy to expend some time on it once the snow gets tracked. It’s really a blast in fresh snow and trees, really easy to turn and rive and still stable on firm snow. But be aware that this is really not a ski I would take as my first option on days after storms, but it will work for the whole day on a pow day! Bent Chetler would definitively be my first option if I lived in a place that gets tons of snow like SLC, unfortunately I don’t get much in Idaho so I ended up getting Salomon Rocker2 115. The Bent Chetler was the best ski I tried that day (among the Opus, Influence 115, Gunsmoke, Quest 115, Magic J, Automatic, Governor) followed by the Quest 115/Rocker2 115. It’s just not the right tool for what I was looking for… as a pow ski that can do well on variable conditions and if you have a chance to ski deep snow more frequently it’s a no-brainer if you also have something narrower to complement your quiver!

        • Hi Marcel,
          Cheers for your comments on the bent chetler. Why did you choose the salomon rocker 2,115.? what length? reading your response I am presuming it was a better all rounder, did you get an opportunity to use these on a variety of snow, pow and groomers. The manufacturers write up sound like they are reasonably light and stiff, which would give them some hold on the firmer stuff. How did you rate them for ease in short to medium turns, Thanks

          • Hey Gerald!

            Basically lack of snow :-) It was difficult to justify a 123mm since I most likely won’t have many 10+in days! I went for the 178 and I’m 5’5″ / 150. It’s absolutely easy to do whatever you want with the rocker2 115. I demoed Saturday in the demo day and it was a so so day, more firm conditions, some tracked and grommers, still some fresh and soft tracked between the trees. The rocker2 was really good in this conditions, but I wish I had a longer ski for going really fast in firm conditions, this is not a hard charger like salomon tries to sell. Then again on Monday I grabbed it for a 10 / 12 inches day. and I had no issues in some almost bottomless, untracked pow! I was in line waiting for the lifts to open and it was a Monday, so not many people around! If you know Alta I was skiing pretty much everything off of the high traverse, eagles nest, high greeley, gunsight and I had no complains! Most of the people think this is a stiffer ski than the Line Influence 115, I thought the opposite and if I was looking for a more charger ski I would have gone for the Inlfuence. I think the rocker2 is more nimble ski compared to the Influence! The rocker2 is not a demanding ski, and it’s really easy specially in tight spots and short/medium-short turns.

  4. Hey Marcel,

    You mentioned tight trees in your previous response, I am currently skiing the Volkl Bridges out on the East coast but am Looking for a designated powder ski for our random days and I spend a lot of time out west (planning on moving to SLC in a year). So the bridges are my primary ski but I am checking out the BC because I found a really good deal on them. Do you think they would hold up well in the tight east coast trees on our “powder” days? Thanks!

    -Matt

    • Hey Matt

      I really have no idea how the snow looks like on the east coast! If you are talking tons of snow the BC will work nicely! But maybe my first option would be the Opus since it’s a little easier to turn/handle. Be aware that I tried the Opus in 178 and the BC 183, so I’m assuming the BC is considerably longer than the Opus. I think both skis would work fine! If you wanna compromise a little bit and be happier in SLC go for the BC! If you want a more nimble east coaster go for the Opus. But you said you have a good deal on the BC, in this case I wouldn’t think twice! It’s a nice ski and absolutely easy to drive given the size and my size!

  5. How would you compare it to the Pettitor? Which is softer, better float, more playful, more stable? Thank you very much.

    • John,
      I’ve only spent a little time on the 12′-13′ Pettitor, and I haven’t been on the tweaked 13′-14′ model. With that caveat, I did find the flex of the Bent Chetler (BC) to be a little more progressive and uniform than the Pettitor. The 12′-13′ Pettitor is fairly stiff underfoot, but a bit too soft at the extremities for skiing challenging, cut-up conditions. The BC also feels like it has a lower swing weight than the Pettitor, thus providing a more playful feel.
      Hopefully I’ll be able to get on the 14′ Pettitor early in the upcoming the coming season for a thorough review.

  6. Hey Jason, Great review and I completely agree!!

    SO just a bit about myself to possibly help answer my question.
    Im 5’8″, 155-158 lbs, and an advanced/agressive but like to play on the mountain, type skier.
    I ski the Bird/Alta.

    I currently own the Bent Chetlers…….absolutely AMAZING ski. They were my go/to ski this past year on a daily basis, regardless of the conditions. (And that says alot as Im sure you know, last year we didnt have the greatest of conditions.)
    So this year I am looking for a “Little Brother” if you will, of this ski. I am trying to pick up another ski much like the Bent Chetler, but I would like them to be in the 108-111 width range; to pair with the Bents’s for my daily driver. I love every aspect of the skis but would like maybe a slightly stiffer board (but not by to much) to handle that hardpack/bumps we seam to see quite often at the Bird/Alta.

    Do you have an recomendations???
    I have looked at the belefonte and Cochise but think they are a bit too stiff and directional for my liking.

    Thanks a bunch!!!!

    • Patrick,
      Not an easy question here, especially since my favorite 110 underfoot ski of all time (The Rossi Sickle) has been wrongfully terminated. If you can find an older 186 Sickle, get it, and thank me later. Otherwise, from what I’ve ridden, I’d recommend taking a look into the Moment Deathwish, Blizzard Peacemaker (which I haven’t actually ridden yet, but am looking forward to), and Blizzard Gunsmoke.

      • Hey, thanks a bunch Jason!

        I will check those out for sure. What Moment Model were you refering to?

        Thanks again for the help!
        And pray for snow.

  7. I am 5 8″ and 182 pounds. I used to ski Automatic 186, but I want to replace them. Should I go with 183 or 192. I am almost agressive skier, but want some jibbing to do. Sorry for my English :D

  8. Any further advice on mount location for the 192 Bent Chetler, or is the Team line they money spot? I’ve picked up Katanas and Bent Chetlers to replace my Automatics, so the Bent Chetlers will only be used for trees, cruisey pow days and some jibbing.

    • Lorne,
      Since our skis were mounted up with a fixed alpine binding, not a Jester Demo track like we prefer, I wasn’t able to try alternative mounting locations. I did, however, spend a big chunk of my season riding this ski and can say I never felt the need to stray from the team line. Enjoy.

      • Thanks Jason. Reports from users say anywhere from +0.5 to -2.5 skis great so it sounds like I can’t go too wrong. I’ll stay forward since I want them to be manoeuvrable and jibby, but will give them the old stand-on-the-skis-in-bare-feet test to check first!

  9. I’m just under 5′-10″ and weigh 175 lbs. I’ve been riding a 183 Armada TST for the last 2 years and am looking to get a bigger powder ski. Should I be looking at the 192 in the Bent Chetler, or sticking in the 183 range? With the tail rocker on the BC, is a 192 of that going to ski like my 183 TST? Or is it going to be too much to maneuver given my size? Thanks!

    • Brett,
      It will all depend on your primary goals for the ski and your location (how deep your typically powder days and the type of terrain are you skiing). If you like the size of your TST’s, then I’d recommend the 183. The Bent Chetler is obviously going to offer quite a bit more surface area than your TST, which will give you noticeably more float on deep days, while the 183 length will keep them manageable in tight spots and while playing around.

    • The TST skis much longer than the Bent Chetlers… if you have the ability to ride a longer ski i would really suggest the 192! I have both TST’s and Bents and the bents are much more maneuverable and quick. the other thing to mention about the Bent Chetler is that it actually performs surprisingly well in various conditions. I bought it as a powder specific ski but I found that I prefer to ski it most days.

      for mounting I went -2.5

      RFJ

  10. Great review Jason! Can’t say enough about the work you guys do and the website. After reading these reviews I bought the Atomic Automatic as my everyday everything driver and absolutely loved it. Got the Bents end of season sale and can’t wait to get on it for the 1st time after reading your review. My question is that I get about 30 days out west a yr per season and have the Automatics and Bents for that. Im everyday though on EC in Vermont. Saw you answer above about a Bent little brother and I will check that out, what about an Automatic “little brother”. Im 5’8″ 210 lbs, wanted an ~95-98 waist ski for everyday EC and want a similar to Bent version but probably more like Automatic since fresh drop is only 5-7inches. Pretty aggressive skier, spend most days off piste and always exploring. Do I automatically go to an Alibi and Ritual, or is there something better in another brand?

  11. Hi

    I’m heading to Japan next Month.
    I’m looking at getting the Chetlers in 183. But I’m only 5’6 would they be too long I have never skied on a ski that big, would they still be manoeuvrable in the trees

    Thanks

    • Quite honestly, it depends on how big and strong you are, and how strong your skiing is. What have you been riding?

      The Bent Chetler is easy to ski and has a pretty low swing weight, which is in your favor. Another great option would be to pick up the 178 Mr. Pollard’s Opus; a ski that absolutely devours the tight trees and rolling terrain of Japan.

      Btw, I’m very jealous of your upcoming trip. Enjoy!

      • Thanks for both your reply’s.
        I’m a confident skier being skiing for years off too Japan too teach.I think I’m going to go for the Chetlers you did almost swing me. I like the fact the Chetlers are soft and playful just fun to ski when i’m not working. Hopefully test those Mr Prophet’s while I’m there. Thanks for the advice

    • Hi Stuart!

      I’m about your size, 5’5″ / 150 not sure how much you weight though. I tried the Bent Chetlers 183 for a few runs back in April at Alta and I didn’t find it to be too much! It was quite an enjoyable ride! Easy to pivot and jib around. But like Jason said, depends on what kinda ski you are used to…

      I’m quite comfortable with low 170s all mountain skis, my everyday ski is Line Prophet 98 172, and also high 170s to low 180s skis for powder. I also have a 178 Rocker2 115.

      Like Jason said, if you are not used to skis that big, go wit the Opus, it’s another very easy ski to drive! But I think you will be fine with the Bent Chetlers 183cm.

  12. Hey again I just love these reviews. I’ve already got a pair of crud skis and such, but am in the market for a really fun pow ski. I’m an advanced skier, 6′ 2″ and 160lbs. I want something that’s playful, light, floats great, and overall just a really fun ski. What would you recommend?

  13. Looking for a fun powder/tree ski for Whitefish Montana. We get 300 plus yearly, usually a few good days 10″ plus, but more frequently sustained drops of 2-6 inches for a week or two. Almost always soft snow to be had all season long. I am 5’7 175, 46 years. I ski everything on the mountain but at my age I’m not interested in cliff drops or huge airs. I’m looking for one ski for those aforementioned big days followed by the soft tracked out snow to be had for a few days following the storm. Not sure if this is a good match for me, maybe a bit long and wide, but maybe. Your thoughts.

  14. I am a fairly confident skier(ex racer) who is aprox. 6′ and 165lbs I am mainly going to be skiing out of slc at snowbird and alta this year. I’m planning on buying a pair of BC’s but I don’t know whether to get the 183s or the 192s. I’m mainly worried about controlling the 192s in tighter trees and stuff. Can anyone give some advice?

    • Hey Henry,

      I would definitely go with the 192’s.
      I have the 183’s and am 5’8 and still feel I could go longer for sure. They dont ski like they are a large ski by any means and are super quick when they need to be. Beings that your 4″ taller than me, I wouldn’t think you would have any issues.
      I also ski the Bird and love these skis, you wont be disappointed. They are my daily drivers the majority of the season.

  15. Henry,
    I am a 6 foot 240 advanced skier. I skied my new 192 BCs today for the first time in conditilns ranging from 12 plus inches of powder to cut up powder, soft piles, tracked out soft sonw over ice, and chewed up soft groomers with ice underneath. I had a smile on my face all day in all of these east coast conditions.

    When Jason says these skis are easy to ski believe him. They are laughably easy to ski. They float in the powder and handled cut up pow effortlessly. They were very smooth and stable. They are also amazingly quick. I had feared the 192 would be too unwieldy for tight east coast trails and skis. These skis are nimble, they don’t feel like a 183, let alone a 192.

    The surprise to me was how much fun these skis were after the powder got tracked out and all that was left were pushed up piles on top of bullet proof hardpack. The skis made these conditions fun. They absorbed the uneven terrain at speed and had me smiling at how nimble and responsive these skis are. They handle powder to hardpack very well. I never felt a lack of control even when hitting bardpack in between powder turns.

    I had 80 and 105. Waisted skis in the car for the afternoon and never thought of swapping them out after the powder was gone. Don’t hesitate getting the 192.

  16. Great reviews and awesome site, thanks for the indepth reviews and comments. Thinking the BC would be a great addition to my quiver for West Coast (Tahoe) skiing. Am 6’00”, 160 lbs, advanced skiier. Have a 179, Nordica steadfast, 176 Nordica Enforcer, and 185 Cochise in the quiver currently and looking for something for powder and deeper days, more soft snow biased and more playful. The BC sounds like the choice. What length would you recommend? 183 or 192, and comment on mounting point for a directional skiier? Sounds like 2 to 2.5 cm back from center is suggested. Thanks for any comments.

  17. Just want to share my review of the 12/13 BC. I got a great deal on them this summer so I was finally able to put them to the test today. I ski primarily in Vermont, but do trips out west every year and I am moving to Lake Tahoe next year.
    I was skiing Killington and the conditions were mostly heavy mashed potatoes and well maintained groomers. These things ripped. I was very hesitant to take these skis out but I was blown away of how easy it was to get edge to edge and how they blasted through the crud. There were a few times I hit some ice patches and they got a little squirly but thats expected because thats not what these bad boys are made for.

    I am 5’10, advanced skier, got the BC’s in 183 mounted -2.5

    Over all, awesome ski

  18. I know that either the BCs or a Praxis Protest would be excellent soft snow skis. How would you describe their different strengths/shortcomings?

  19. Jason

    Can´t decide BC 13/14 183cm model or K2 Pettitor 2014 179cm ( new model ).

    Prio still are Playful and float. K2 may still be a little softer than BC , but BC still have lighter swing weight?

    I´m 176 cm and weight appr: 73 kg. ( Light guy )
    Acc to mount position for BC are -2.5cm from TC ( True Center )?

  20. Hey I really have loved what I’ve seen and read about the BCs. I currently ski mainly at Mammoth outside of a few trips during the year. We get the light pow, sierra cement, wind buff…hard pack, basically everything. I spend most of my time in the trees but want to develop a surfier, jibbier, freeski style. I really like how CB skiis and he did design this with Mammoth in mind, i’d assume from his history growing up there and the artwork.

    So my question is, are these maneuverable enough to use in the trees? Right now I use a Stockli VXL as my primary ski which holds up fine until the snow falls heavy which happens a lot there. So, is it nimble enough to use when in trees? After its tracked out a bit?

    I worry that its a bit too wide to make quick turns in the snow. I tried the Armada JJs at Whistler and they sucked without the powder to float on, edge to edge was a mess but they were fun in the random bits of pow we found. They did have me in too long a ski but I felt the diff without the sidecut. I dont want another all mountain ski, therefor I think something like the Automatic would be redundant in my quiver since the VXLs have that all covered.

    Thanks for the help!

    • Hey John,

      Your current quiver is very different than what you are looking at! The BC are an awesome ski and I use them in VERY tight situations and make out just fine. My only disclaimer is that you need to have the strength and energy to work these bad boys, I am 24 y/o and don’t have an issue going edge to edge but I know other people who hate the BC because of the energy required. I am from the EC but ski in CO, WY, MT and I am actually moving to Lake Tahoe and they’ve held up great in everything but ice (obviously). I am surprised you did not like the JJ’s because those planks are as nimble and responsive as you can get! Definitely an easier ski to become adjusted too. Depending on your skiing style and how much bigger of a waste you think you can handle definitely try out the Line Opus, Salomon Rocker 122, and the BD Amperages. Some of the other planks that may be more responsive to what I would guess your more traditional skiing style is the Rossi 7 series or Line Sick Days. But if you have the strength and energy definitely go with the BC, but they are going to be a lot heavier than what you are used too. Good luck, hope this helps amigo!

      -Matt

      • Thanks Matt! I am also originally from the East Coast too! I didnt hate the JJ’s but thought they were too “floppy?” if thats the right word. I ski a very stiff Stockli and drive very hard on them, very aggressive edge to edge. I am more into long sweeping fast turns than short choppy turns. however, I’d like something to be nimble for the trees, handle some Mammoth crud and be able to handle deep pow. I thought this and the Rossi’s seem to fit the bill. With that being said, do you still think that these are too heavy/stiff? I am also 5 9′ 180 lbs.

        Cheers,
        John

  21. Hey, I wanted to know if this would be a good big “one quiver” kind of ski? I would use this all season for trees, bowls, moguls, and big bombing groomers. I was also wondering if you could compare the Bent Chetlers to the Line Opus. I’m just under 5’8″ and don’t know if the 183 would be too big for me. Thank you!

    • WIll,

      I have only ridden the 192 BC and 185 Opus, so take what I say with that in mind.

      At no point have I ever thought of the BC as a one-ski-quiver option. The ski has a very loose feel in soft snow, and when you hit sections of firm snow it is not very supportive. Perhaps the 183 feels better on firm snow, but that isn’t something I feel safe assuming. The Opus on the other hand, feels surprisingly stable (for this type of ski) over a huge range of snow conditions. It’s fun on groomers (as long as it’s not too icy), and I’ve even skied them on some pretty terrifying wind scour. Taking a line from my “one-ski-quiver” article, “…if there is snow to ski on, the Opus is one of the most fun pair of sticks to be on.”

      That being said, the Opus is a soft ski and requires a methodical approach to challenging conditions and high speeds. If that worries you then you might consider other options besides the BC and Opus.

      Hope this helps!

  22. I’ve been up in the air about which new skis to buy, Bent Chetlers or the Line Opus. Your reviews on this site have been amazing, but on thing I want to buy BOTH of these skis even though I only need one. I live in Park City, I frequent my time up at the top of Jupiter and somewhere in the trees of McConkeys if it’s not a park day. I like to huck stuff, ski in the trees, and I’m really starting to get into the big mtn freeskiing. Which of these two would you recommend as a pure powder play toy? My ski season weight is around 150 and I’m 5’8″, I think I charge it pretty damn hard. I have a good pair of Park/All-mountain, and I have a pair of Rossi RC 112’s but don’t really use them that much. Which would you pick out of the two? Both great skis, doubt I’ll go wrong with either, would the Opus handle Utah crud as well as the BC’s for a guy my size?

  23. So for 6′ 4″ 235 pounds the Bent Chetler, Pollard Opus, Sick Day 125, or Bibby Pro all in a 192 for Powder. My everyday ski is the Scott Punisher in 189 but I need more ski when it is deep.
    Thank you, Jake

  24. Jake,
    I wrote a comment above that covers my observations of the BC in 192. I was 235-240 during the ski season and they floated me better than any ski I had been on. They are very nimble and have a lot of stability. They are not a noodle and are a great ski for a heavier skier. More details above.

  25. Please compare the 2014-15 Bent Chetler to the Atomic Automatic and Pollard Opus. I have the Opus. I like them, don’t love them. I really really like skiing the trees. I want something playful and forgiving but able to handle the crud. Many thanks.

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