[Editor’s Note: We published this review in 2022 and has since been updated. The Atomic Bent 110 remains unchanged in 24/25, aside from terrific new graphics.]
It’s a very good time to be a fan of Bent Chetler skis.
After increasing their flagship freeride collection final season, our love for the mid-fat Atomic Bent 110 has solely grown. The hype lived up, and we’ve been having fun with time on it from resort scorching laps to bluebird backcountry days. The ski returns unchanged—together with the 90, 100, and 120— for this upcoming season, and we will’t complain. All of the skis get contemporary Benchetler-designed prime sheets.
Atomic Bent 110 Assessment: Area Notes
So what’s the cope with the 110? Basically, it’s a midpoint ski between the 120 and 100, and in additional methods than its 110mm waist width. The brand new skis borrow a barely extra directional form from the 100 together with a light-weight wooden core sans carbon.
The rocker profile and flex sample within the 110, although, are extra much like the 120. Whereas the Bent 100 options 30% rocker and 70% camber, the Bent 110 comes out with a 50/50 break up. For reference, the 120 measures 60% rocker and 40% camber. This profile helps Atomic’s declare that the Bent 110 will ski extra like a narrower 120 than a wider 100.
On the size, the Bent 110 weighs in with related numbers because the 120. Atomic reviews that they weigh 3500 grams per pair in a 180cm dimension, whereas the 120 weighs 3600 grams per pair within the 184cm dimension. So should you’ve considered the 120 as a powder touring ski, that versatility will maintain up within the 110.
As for sizes, you get three choices, and so they differ from the 120. Atomic will provide the Bent 110 in 172cm, 180cm, and 188cm.
Groomers
The primary place I skied the Bent 110—and the primary place I observed that it skis extra like a narrower 120 than a wider 100—was on lengthy, quick groomers. Whereas the Bent 100 and 90 each ski extra directionally and higher at excessive speeds than you’d assume, the 110 carved extra like I anticipated, having spent heaps time on the 120.
For a ski with this waist width, it’s pretty fast edge-to-edge, due to its mild weight. I discovered it straightforward to bend, and regardless of its wholesome rocker, the Bent 110’s tails held on to carves fairly nicely. You don’t get the vitality or energy of steel, however the Bent 110 definitely doesn’t really feel lifeless. It’s additionally sturdy underfoot with sufficient torsional rigidity to be pushed by a flip.
Past that, the traits that make the Bent 110 a lot enjoyable in pow and freeride terrain do hold it from main this class in “again to the elevate” groomer efficiency. If you happen to push them, you’ll get the tricks to chatter a bit, and all that taper and rocker can really feel slippy somewhat than planted, particularly should you’re an even bigger or very aggressive skier.
When snow piles up on groomers and turns into gentle chop, the Bent 110 likes to skip throughout the tops of snow piles somewhat than blow by them. I don’t assume that is essentially higher or worse; it simply relies on what you want and the way you ski. There’s sufficient stability right here to ski quick by chop so long as you keep dynamic somewhat than tightening up.
However—are you actually wanting on the Bent 110 since you care about snowboarding groomers?
Bumps and Bushes
If you happen to typically end up slicing and dicing by tight locations in your wide-ish skis, you’re going to love the Bent 110. Its drifty really feel and quick-release tails make tree snowboarding a blast—and fewer of a harrowing expertise than while you do it with a lot heavier and fewer intuitive skis in your toes.
In vast open pine alleys and tight aspens, I discovered the Bent 110 to be fairly responsive. It means that you can shortly sluff pace with out deviating out of your line or alter your line on the fly while you discover a rogue stump. It pivots simply, and it actually responds to dynamic snowboarding. I felt equally as snug driving the shovels as I did snowboarding with a extra centered stance by tight locations. The skis stayed nimble with out feeling like they had been going to ship me OTB. While you get kicked to the backseat, they don’t punish you.
Down bump runs, the Bent 110 gained’t provide you with that bomber, planted feeling of one thing with extra heft (and steel) just like the Nordica Enforcer 110 Free. However the trade-off is that the Bent 110 feels driftier, which is a enjoyable trait in gentle bumps. Once more, the ski means that you can make micro changes whereas staying in your line.
In agency bumps, I did discover myself wishing for some steel. However, once more, no steel 110mm ski can drift and surf just like the Bent. I additionally typically ski bumps like a maniac, so should you’re extra finessed than I, the Bent 110 ought to do exactly fantastic. Commerce-offs.
Powder and Blended Snow
While you discover gentle snow, you suck all of the juice out of the Bent 110. Like its large brother the 120, it slashes, surfs, and smears with gusto. The sunshine weight mixed with all that taper, and floaty HRZN ideas hold you on prime and unfastened. Whereas Atomic says the 110 is for these not-so-deep pow days (that are reserved for the 120), not all of us can afford to sink our financial savings into TWO Bent Chetlers (or can we…?). If you happen to’ve received to decide on just one, there’s a powerful case to be made for the Bent 110. You get the additional versatility I alluded to above together with extra powder prowess than most—if not all—skis across the 110mm waist width. And, these skis are lots mild to take a hybrid or tech touring binding, which might be my transfer.
In case you are severe about taking the Bent 110 on powder-chasing journeys, I strongly advocate sizing up. Along with the additional flotation, you’ll get extra stability.
In cut-up or denser powder, the Bent 110 feels quite a bit prefer it does in gentle on-piste chop. It desires to skip throughout somewhat than blow by. Like I stated above, it’s steady sufficient to assist aggressive snowboarding by blended snow. (Working example? Tim Durtschi runs the Bent Chetler 120 prime to backside from the highest of Corbet’s). You simply must hold your legs fluid and your snowboarding dynamic. And if you’re new to powder snowboarding, these skis provide the probability to expertise the snow all of us dream about with out demanding an excessive amount of enter.
Draw back
A couple of staffers right here on the store had hoped the Bent 110 would include a burlier development than the 120. The truth that it doesn’t underscores the ski’s draw back. Greater skiers, particularly those that ski aggressively and like planted, highly effective skis, could look elsewhere. If you happen to ski such as you’re on a search-and-destroy mission, skis with just a little extra heft may be the transfer.
Personally, nothing actually stunned me in regards to the Bent 110. I anticipated that it wouldn’t really feel like essentially the most highly effective ski by blended snow situations and sketchy run-outs. However once more, I’ve spent many days on the 120, so I’m used to exploring the mountain on these lighterweight, playful freeride skis.
Backside Line
With one other badass graphic by Chris Benchetler and a extra versatile waist width than the OG Chetler, the Bent 110 was sure to succeed. It skis simply as playfully and freely as you anticipate from a Bent Chetler, and it does it with out being a noodle—as you anticipate from Atomic. In the end, the Bent 110 delivers freeride taste and powder efficiency in a ski that may maintain up in most situations and terrain on the mountain. Add to that the probabilities you get with pairing it with a hybrid touring binding or tech binding, and there’s quite a bit to like.
Whereas arguably anybody can profit from including a playful freeride ski to their quiver, a pair kinds of skiers will probably love the Bent 110 essentially the most:
- Stoked intermediates who’re entering into powder snowboarding and chasing gentle snow throughout your complete mountain.
- Superior and skilled skiers who prioritize powder surf and playfulness above all else and examine the mountain as a playground (airs, aspect hits, and so on).
- Skiers of any means who desire a enjoyable/playful downhill-oriented touring ski.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra of an all-mountain ski, try the Bent 100. For pure pow, go along with the Bent Chetler 120.
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