2018/19 SOTY Runner-Up: Atomic Backland Bent Chetler 100

ATOMIC BACKLAND BENT CHETLER 100

Atomic Backland Bent chetler 100RRP: £430

Lengths: 164, 172, 180, 188

Turn radius: 18m @ 172

Dimensions: 129-100-120

Weight per pair: 3400g (180 length)

More Info: Buy the Bent Chetler 100 here

Want to ski the entire mountain at Mach 10? Here’s your weapon of choice. A real charger, it ticks all the boxes for a strong advanced/expert skier seeking a punchy freeride ski. It’s super-stable, super-grippy and super-powerful – and super-good-value.

 

ATOMIC BACKLAND BENT CHETLER 100
Fall-Line SOTY: ATOMIC BACKLAND BENT CHETLER 100

 

Testers rated the ski highly across the board. FL tester Andy Bennett said:

“I blasted all over the place on these and among a huge crowd of 100 underfoot skis, they really stood out. The balance between radius, width underfoot and rocker seems just right to make a lively, playful yet stable freeride ski.

 “It was really solid when charging yet easy to handle on shorter, skidded turns (in a couloir, for example). Edge hold on a firm piste was excellent. Though they’re fairly lightweight they still felt stable when tramming through the chop at speed. The tips didn’t flap; the skis took shocks well and gave my knees a break.

“The graphics are unassuming but I quite like the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ look. This is one of my favourite skis of all time.”

 

Ian Davis added:

“This is a true all-mountain rocket ship when you want, but also controllable in varied conditions. The rockered tip makes for a smooth ride through everything, and it punches well above its weight for its class when you give it some stick on piste, too.”

 

For all-out deep-powder hounds the ski is also available with a 120mm waist.

Atomic Backland Bent Chetler 100 – available at Ellis Brigham

For the full Fall-Line SOTY line-up:

2018/19 BEST MEN’S SKIS OF THE YEAR (SOTYS) – THE COMPLETE LIST