Chris Benchetler is a bit of a sleeper. He’s not blowing up contests, and in movies he’s often juxtaposed against big name guys like Sage or JP Auclair. If you weren’t paying attention, he might slip by under the radar. But his appearances in TGR’s “Light the Wick” and the Nimbus films are more than impressive: they’re filled with huge backcountry airs and deep, deep snow. His style, which is characteristic of the Nimbus crew, is understated, but creative and charging, and most importantly, fun.

Despite the soundtrack from thirty years ago (another distinctive Nimbus trait) his self-edit from last year, where he’s the center of attention, shows just how big he goes.

He’s killing it on the product side of the business, too. His namesake ski, Atomic’s Bent Chetler, was one of the most popular of the year, and they promise to be knockouts next year, as well.-H.H.