Pilote Custom Skis was launched in 2008 by Kyle Pilote, a native of rural Maine, U.S.A. with a passion for skiing and mechanical engineering (As of 2009...a pending degree in Mechanical Engineering from RIT in Rochester, NY with a concentration in composite design and vibrations...good stuff for a ski designer).
Faced with the small budget of a typical college student, Kyle started building his own skis, simply as a way of having exactly what he wanted on the slopes without paying retail. He then began selling them on the EpicSki forums, and quickly found that demand far outweighed his production capacity. With the production process streamlined and the stresses of college nearing an end, Kyle's Pilote Custom intends on ramping up production and expanding the product offerings. Kyle currently splits his production between Rochester, NY and Poland, Maine depending on the time of year.
Materials used to build Pilote Custom skis are impressive, include DuraSurf 4001 base material (enhanced glide and impact strength) hardened edges, rubber vibration damping, full-length solid wood cores, oiled Rock Maple hardwood vertical sidewalls (should produce excellent edge grip) and numerous composite choices. Kyle's skis are fully customizable; you get to choose your shape, tip/tail options, core woods (Maple, Ash, Poplar, Beech, Cherry etc.), threaded inserts (telemark skiers take note), composites (tri-axial glass, carbon fiber, aluminum alloys...etc.) and custom graphics and topsheets. Current graphics include, but are not limited to, clear topsheets, custom printed designs and wood veneers. All skis include a 1-year warranty against defects, and a promise that any problems beyond that will be worked out.
Below is a list of skis Kyle has already done the design work on with templates and molds cut, saving time and money. These can start around $525 per pair.
102-66-94 TR~27m @186cm, GS Ski
114-75-104 TR~15.8m @172cm
114-82-104 TR~17.9m @165cm
126-88-112 TR~21.5m @175cm
130-90-115 TR~24m @186cm
134-100-125 TR~20m @178cm
The molds can be reconfigured for different tail configurations, (all but the GS ski have started with semi-twin tails). All lengths are based on a "flat", unmolded ski.
Here’s some discussion at EpicSki, where it all started!
http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/85900/introducing-pilote-custom-skis#post_1123621
Some photos of custom his-and-hers skis:
http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/77764/kyle-s-custom/0
More photos:
http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/73434/fs-custom-prototypes-from-a-new-builder/120#post_1038182
Photos of the custom GS Skis:
http://www.epicski.com/forum/thread/84783/my-new-custom-gs-skis
With prices starting as low as $400 depending on options, Pilote Custom is an affordable way to have a one-of-a-kind ski built by someone you can contact directly. Sounds like a good deal to us.
Contact Kyle at PiloteCustom (at) gmail.com , or on the EpicSki and TGR forums (he posts as krp8128).
(photos below - click images for larger versions)
(Custom GS Skis)
Sidewall closeup of Pilote GS skis
His and Hers Custom TwinTips
His and Hers twintip sideview
His and Hers twintips
Custom graphic closeup
His and Hers twintip forebodies