Lauded by skiers the world over, the Bent collection has inspired countless riders to attack the resort and backcountry with a loose and surfy style reminiscent of Chris Benchetler himself. Until now, the designers at Atomic have never produced a Bent model dedicated to park skiers. The new Decode model is here to fill that niche, combining all of the flow and finesse of its older brethren into a narrow-waisted version that's ready to slay parks from coast to coast.
With a 92-mm waist, the Decode slots right between the Bent 100 and the equally popular Bent 90. It's built with the same lightweight wood core and sidewalls as the rest of the family, but a symmetrical rocker profile sets it apart and lands it right at home in manicured jump lines of any size. The specific core and profile combination creates a balanced feel that enables easy switch riding. Atomic paired this profile with its hallmark spoon shape at the tip and tail to reduce swing weight and improve overall balance. But the most important addition, in our opinion, is an ABS plastic sheet that runs from tip to tail. This extra layer of material significantly improves durability and reduces chatter during big impacts.
Unlike the rest of the skis in the Bent lineup, which are pretty versatile and playful, the Decode is a specialized tool built specifically for park skiers. It's soft, nimble and predictable, giving the rider confidence when carving up a pipe wall, executing technical rail tricks or sending jumps at full throttle. Of course, this specialization leaves something to be desired when skiing outside of the park, as it can feel a bit loose and squirrelly. But if you're going to do one thing, do it well.