About this review This review is my own honest opinion of the skis, which I bought with my own money in December 2020. I was not paid by the manufacturer to write this review. For information on the latest model of this ski, check out the 2023 Expert Review.

My take

These skis are good for literally everything, with surprisingly good carving and stability performance. They are best for intermediates and up, gearing towards the more experienced skiers. Being 100mm underfoot with tip and tail rocker means you have to be comfortable carving if you want to have fun on them.

About me

• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 175 lbs
• Model: 2021 Atomic Bent Chetler 100, Grateful Dead Graphic
• Size: 188 cm
• Boots: Tecnica Cochise 130
• Boot Size: 28.5
• Bindings: Marker Jesters
• Experience: 17 years skiing, 14 years racing

How it performs

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2020
• Days tested: 7
• Where I’ve used it: Sugarbush and Cochran’s, Vermont
• Terrain: Ice, packed powder, man-made, dirt patchy trails, and light powder (~4 inches deep).

What I was looking for

Technically, I’m never NOT on the hunt for new gear, but I have recently been craving a new pair of all-mountain skis between 95 and 100mm waist underfoot so I don’t have to keep using my 106mm underfoot backcountry skis on the resort (K2 Marksman w/ Dynafit Beast Bindings).

I’m a playful skier that likes to jump and jib off of anything I can on a trail, but with my racing background I also love to charge really hard when I can.

Why I chose this gear

I was supposed to be Christmas shopping when I wandered into a ski shop and started browsing skis. I recognized Bent Chetler as a critically acclaimed ski, but what really sold me was the limited edition graphic and that they were the last in the store.

I’ve been looking at gear a lot online so I wanted to see some skis in person and see what the shop had, so I didn’t go in with the thought of buying skis. I happened to score 40% off from my friend so it was a no brainer for me.

What I love about it

• Speed: These things RIP. 188cm is a ski that goes fast and these are capable of handling that with ease. There is very little chatter with these except at top speeds. But even then it’s nothing to complain about.
• Edge hold: I was really surprised by how well they hold an edge! I wasn’t expecting poor performance but at the size they are, these have a seriously techy feel. Their camber helps hold an edge too.
• Turns: Because of the early rocker, these skis are actually capable of tight, technical turns along with huge airplane turns. So much fun.
• Groomers: They feel like a dream both when straightlining or carving from end to end.
• Powder: Minimal testing in powder so far but I can’t wait. In the 4-5 inches I’ve encountered with them so far, they floated/turned with ease.
• Moguls: They’re so lightweight and good from edge to edge that Bent Chetler 100s can actually rip through moguls if you’re capable of it. They’re a little long for them but that comes down to skill/preference.
• Backcountry: They’re super lightweight and would make a sick touring ski. I already have my setup, but I would seriously consider these for touring.
• Weight: Each ski weighs in at 1700 grams so they are definitely on the lighter side. They feel quite nice.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Durability: I’m mildly sketched out by their construction, specifically at the tip. The seam between the tip and where the edge ends is epoxied, but one of the seams appears to have been epoxied poorly. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
• Switch riding: I’m not the best at switch riding but these do have a partial twin tip so I’ve been practicing with them. The recommended mount is 2cm back from true center, so they don’t feel bad going switch, but they would feel better on a center mounted ski.
• Park: They are more of a directional turner so I’m keeping them off of rails. Jumps are on the menu however, they feel great in the air.

Value for the money vs. other options

I 100% believe that these skis are worth the money. Without the limited edition Grateful Dead graphic, they retail for around $600. That is well worth it in my opinion, especially if you can score any sort of deal. They’re similar to Blizzard Rustler 10s but a little softer with only an aspen core. It's a pretty unique ski though, comparable to others with early rocker but with a completely customized tip.

Final verdict

Overall, Bent Chetler 100s are extremely fun over the entire mountain. They enable me to carve tight lines, make broad arcs across the trail, and float/cut through powder/variable snow; these do it all with ease.

If you want to see the 2022 version of these skis in action, check out the video below by Curated Experts for more information.

For information on the latest model of this ski, check out the 2023 Expert Review.

To explore how newer models perform, check out Chris’s review of the 2022 Atomic Bent Chetler 100 and Daryl and Hayden’s review of the 2023 Atomic Bent Chetler 100.