Atomic Bent Chetlers as a daily driver?!?!?

The bents are a fairly versatile ski that i know a few people that ski them most of the time, it really depends on what your comfortable with.

They are amazing bigger day skis and they do still handle the groomers ok but I would not want them as an everyday ski. They are too big to be fun everywhere. There are loads of versatile freeride skis which would be almost a good in the pow but would be better out of it.

i think anything over about 110 underfoot is too large to truly be an everyday ski.

-wakes-i think anything over about 110 underfoot is too large to truly be an everyday ski.

(local conditions depending) but for myself in Europe anything over 88 is too big for a daily driver. Its why I have a decent quiver, right down to sub 70mm for those icy groomed snow days. Why? Well I can and have skied my larger skis on them, was it as fun as my race stock? No.

joetheponybut my big question was how they would do in tigh trees or even some moguls any time where right fast turns are needed? Thanks

I was surprised at how maneuverable the 192s are in tight turns. I live in CO and have had no problem skiing the tight trees, the 20m turn radius is awesome. The only problem I have is when I have to hockey stop the skis are too long to fit through some trees sideways. I wouldn't use them as a daily ski since they aren't very fun on hardpack. They eat up any soft snow tho

im definitely looking at a pair for next year, probs only gonna use it in powder but i love tree skiing and they seem to be a great ski

I was also looking at the Line Opus, or the Moment Deathwish. Any thoughts on those?

kung_powpowI was surprised at how maneuverable the 192s are in tight turns. I live in CO and have had no problem skiing the tight trees, the 20m turn radius is awesome. The only problem I have is when I have to hockey stop the skis are too long to fit through some trees sideways. I wouldn't use them as a daily ski since they aren't very fun on hardpack. They eat up any soft snow tho

I think that I would get the 178 so I think in trees they would be even quicker. Do they not carve or is there too much tip flap on hardpack?

I use the Bents everyday and love em, they really aren't terrible on hard pack and what you lack in on the groomers you make up for +1000 in the powder.

Consider the new line mordecai. I lived that ski when I tested it and I could see those making good wider daily drivers.

i got a pair this season and have skied them in pretty much every condition and had fun in everything. while they obviously aren't meant to ski hard, bumped out snow, ive had a blast on them in those conditions. theyre poppy and pretty stable, so i think you could do a lot worse for an every day ski that big.

Nordica helldorado if you charge hard and know how to ski a ski with metal in it. Nordica Patron if you need more play and less weight.

I agree with the sentiment that 100-110 is the sweet spot for a 'daily driver' for the Western NA skier who ski's at a place that generally gets over 300in of snow a year. I have been very happy with the versatility offered by my Dynastar Legend Pros (105mm), ON3P Viciks (104-106mm) and the new Blizzard Cochise (108mm). My more jib oriented friends have found the same to be true with the Blizzard Peacemaker (104mm), ON3P Kartel 106, K2 Shredditor 102, and Line SFB (108mm).

If you ski at an area that generally gets north of 500in of fresh snow a year (BCC/LCC, Mt Baker, Anchorage, I would look at the 110-116 width as an everyday / one ski quiver option. The same applies if you are a more selective skier or really don't care too much about firm snow performance. Notables in the more Jib oriented capacity are the Gunsmoke (114), Line Johnny Depp (114), K2 Shreditor 112, Nordica Patron, ON3P Jeffrey 114.

I honestly think that the 120+ ski's are overkill, even for a powder ski. They will continue to have a place as a great compliment to a low 100's everyday ski, but as ski companies refine their rocker and shape designs, we will find that the high 110's will be excellent powder skis, with more versatility. Ski width's are going to start to come back down, now that the fat ski craze has reached , and is coming back from its peak. YMMV.

cobra_commanderI honestly think that the 120+ ski's are overkill, even for a powder ski. They will continue to have a place as a great compliment to a low 100's everyday ski, but as ski companies refine their rocker and shape designs, we will find that the high 110's will be excellent powder skis, with more versatility. Ski width's are going to start to come back down, now that the fat ski craze has reached , and is coming back from its peak. YMMV.

i can see where you're coming from, but i find 120 +/- 2 to be the sweet spot for a pow ski (anything over that is definitely overkill). i rode a pair of hoji's (112 underfoot) on a deep pow day a few weeks ago, and felt significantly held back compared to my caylors because of the differences in float (but this could also because i prefer a stiff ski and the hojis are far from that). i've used my caylors in all conditions and have never had any issues on a 120 ski

Blake.Pi can see where you're coming from, but i find 120 +/- 2 to be the sweet spot for a pow ski (anything over that is definitely overkill). i rode a pair of hoji's (112 underfoot) on a deep pow day a few weeks ago, and felt significantly held back compared to my caylors because of the differences in float (but this could also because i prefer a stiff ski and the hojis are far from that). i've used my caylors in all conditions and have never had any issues on a 120 ski

Do you think the bents are going to work as my daily driver or is it overkill?

tomPietrowskiThere are loads of versatile freeride skis which would be almost a good in the pow but would be better out of it.

Any suggestions on alternatives to the bents?

joetheponyDo you think the bents are going to work as my daily driver or is it overkill?

i think its overkill. while i love riding a fat ski, there are definitely days when i would prefer a narrower ski. i think 100-110 is sweet spot for daily driver. plus i found the bentchetlers a bit too soft for my personal liking

joetheponyAny suggestions on alternatives to the bents?

Volkl Goatama's are my pick if I could only have one ski. Great carving on piste but at 108 underfoot they have enough float to handle most pow days. I've even taken them off park jumps a few times and they do great in spring slush. I really like the flat camber + smooth subtle rocker design, it makes the ski so predictable when moving through variable conditions. It also makes the ski plane really well in pow, whereas I find camber underfoot likes to drag a bit.

Gotta recommend my 4frnt Yle and ON3P Jeffery as always. Both kill it all around and vary from the 114-122 waist. Look into them, and then get them. You won't regret it. I ski on them out west in Idaho.

My roomie has ridden his bents every single day for the last 2 seasons. He loves them, but hes also 6'4 and not a little guy by any means.

didn't read most of the other replies but I'm 6 foot 180 and the bent chetlers were my ski or choice on days I wanted to have fun, unless I was skiing park at keystone all day, I would be on my chets, even then they were playful enough i did half the time but didn't want to abuse them, biggest mistake I made was selling them