Bent chetler mini 133-143 review

Overview

Atomic says it builds the Bent Chetler Mini the same way as the adult model, and the Atomic Bent chetler mini 133-143 is the smaller of its two size groups: 133 and 143 cm, for ambitious kids aged five to eight. Like the whole Bent family it was developed with freeskier Chris Benchetler. Compared with Atomic's other all-mountain ski for this age, the Atomic Bent jr 110-130, it is longer and wider (91–92 mm underfoot), and it adds a wood core, a powder rocker and a park-grade edge. Atomic calls it an all-mountain freeride ski for young skiers who dream of keeping up with the pros one day.

On-snow performance

Read the spec sheet and this is a small powder and freeride ski. The Powder Rocker 20/65/15 has 20 % tip rise and 15 % tail rise — Atomic points to 5 % more rocker at the tail — with camber through the middle 65 %, so the ski should stay on top in deeper, softer snow and pivot easily in bumps and between trees. The 91–92 mm waist backs that up. Radii of 11 m (133 cm) and 12 m (143 cm) are long for a ski aimed at five- to eight-year-olds, which suggests a ski that likes open, flowing turns rather than tight slalom shapes; a light child who skis slowly will find it more work on narrow pistes than the Bent JR. The Dura Cap sidewall is there for grip on firmer snow, and the Resist Edge is meant to survive rail slides in the park.

Construction & specs explained

Atomic combines two core technologies. Light Woodcore is made of poplar and saves weight while keeping good damping and a smooth ride; Densolite is a foam that damps vibration and keeps the ski agile. The Dura Cap Sidewall runs from base to topsheet with a rounded top edge for durability, and the edge is Atomic's Resist Edge Park. Shape per length — 133 cm: 119.1/91/109.4 mm, radius 11 m; 143 cm: 120.8/92/110.9 mm, radius 12 m. Weight is 1040 g per ski at 133 cm. Edge angles are 87° side and 1.3° base. It is sold as a flat ski without binding.

Who it's for & comparisons

An advanced young skier — five to eight by Atomic's age guide, but tall or strong enough for a 133 or 143 cm ski — who already follows the family off-piste and into the park. For kids of eight to thirteen, the Atomic Bent chetler mini 153-163 continues the same idea in 153 and 163 cm with a longer radius. Kids who mostly stay on the piste get an easier ride on the narrower Atomic Bent jr 140-150. Outside Atomic, the Black crows Camox jr is a 90 mm freeride junior from 139 cm, the Faction Dancer grom widens from 84 to 96 mm across 128–155 cm, and the Salomon Qst blank team offers 88–92 mm in 128–152 cm.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Adult Bent Chetler recipe: wood and Densolite core plus powder rocker.
• 91–92 mm waist floats well in soft snow.
• Resist Edge Park is built for rail slides.
• 1040 g per ski at 133 cm.

Cons

• 11–12 m radius asks for speed and is less nimble on narrow pistes than the Bent JR.
• Wide waist is slow edge to edge on hardpack.
• Only two lengths.
• No binding included.

Verdict: The freeride choice for a strong five- to eight-year-old who already skis everywhere; kids who mainly ski groomers will turn more easily on the Bent JR.