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PTO Review
We know them. Here's how they stack up.
These skis span 2 categories (Freeride, All-Mountain Freestyle). Scores reflect each ski's intended use — direct comparison across all dimensions may be misleading.
FREERIDE 108 — skiers buying for soft snow, and buying deliberately: you already own something narrower for firm days, and what you want next is float.. Bent 100 — intermediate and better skiers who value a light, quick, playful ride and drive the ski with finesse rather than muscle.. Check the radar chart below to see where each one wins.
Each row compares all skis on one dimension. 🏆 marks the highest score.
| Dimension | FREERIDE 108 | Bent 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 4 | 6🏆 |
| Park | 1 | 7🏆 |
| Playfulness | 6 | 9🏆 |
| Forgiveness | 4 | 8🏆 |
| Stability | 8🏆 | 5 |
| Powder | 8🏆 | 6 |
Skiers buying for soft snow, and buying deliberately: you already own something narrower for firm days, and what you want next is float. The FREERIDE 108 suits a skier who wants metal underfoot for damping but not a full sandwich of it under a 108 mm waist, and who would rather choose a binding than take a system package. Van Deer states no ability level; PTO's read, from the width and the layup, is advanced — this ski asks for speed and soft snow.
Skiers whose days are mostly hard snow. For exactly the same $1,500 the FREERIDE 98 gives you full Titanal layers under 10 mm less waist, and on firm groomers and mixed resort snow that is the better buy. Beginners and soft intermediates: bending 108 mm of metal-reinforced ski takes strength and speed, and Van Deer's silence on ability level is not permission to ignore that. Carvers: 148-108-130 on a 16 to 19 m arc does not make a short, fast turn — the PRO or the H-POWER 68 is that ski. Tourers: no skins are sold for this one, and the TOUR line is what the uphill is for. And anyone counting on the extra width being free — Van Deer says the centre stripe costs nothing in performance or stability, and the FREERIDE 98 costs the same.
Intermediate and better skiers who value a light, quick, playful ride and drive the ski with finesse rather than muscle. It rewards people who like to press, slash and ride switch, plus lighter or less aggressive skiers who do not want to fight a heavy ski, and anyone after one do-it-all ski that still floats on a soft day. It also makes a light resort-to-sidecountry option.
Skiers who want a metal ski's hard-snow bite and race-like precision: with a light woodcore and no metal laminate, the Bent 100 handles a groomer but will not match a metal ski's edge hold on firm snow or feel as locked-in on ice. Heavier, aggressive skiers who charge through cut-up crud will feel the light build deflect - a metal all-mountain ski like the Nordica Enforcer 100 tracks that line better. True beginners should skip it too; independent reviews place it at intermediate and up. And if deep powder is the priority, the wider Bent 110 or Chetler 120 is the better tool.
FREERIDE 108 is best for skiers buying for soft snow, and buying deliberately: you already own something narrower for firm days, and what you want next is float. Bent 100 is best for intermediate and better skiers who value a light, quick, playful ride and drive the ski with finesse rather than muscle. The right choice depends on your terrain, ability, and riding style.
Van Deer FREERIDE 108 has the highest Stability score in this comparison at 8/10. That score compares composure; it does not by itself mean the product is the most versatile choice.
Atomic Bent 100 leads Carving in this comparison with a PTO score of 6/10.
Atomic Bent 100 has the highest Forgiveness score here at 8/10. Forgiveness is one factor in progression, not a claim that every beginner should choose it.
Not sure? Ask us.
