Test Pilot

[Sparky]

What is the deal with Stratton’s Test Pilot? I have never been there when it’s open and it doesn’t seem to be something they advertise. I have been told that it was originally designed by the Nordic skier Bill Coke (I know that’s not how it’s spelled), but some problems developed it supposedly took 3 years to cut. Is this trail worth searching out? Has anyone skied it? What were the problems with getting it cut?

 

[Beetlenut]

What is the deal with Stratton’s Test Pilot? I have never been there when it’s open and it doesn’t seem to be something they advertise. I have been told that it was originally designed by the Nordic skier Bill Coke (I know that’s not how it’s spelled), but some problems developed it supposedly took 3 years to cut. Is this trail worth searching out? Has anyone skied it? What were the problems with getting it cut?

Not sure I ever found the actual trail, as I think I started up to high on the mountain, but it's basically a bunch of rabbit trails that are tight and a lot of work to ski. I think the trails that Bill Koch was a part of, started about half way down Lower Kidderbrook. The original concept was to have several lanes to choose from, that each had their own characteristics. I think Test Pilot is a seperate glade above that area that came after the Bill Koch experiment. I still have bark ground into my ski pants from some tight turns. That area has some good stuff to ski though, and I plan on doing more exploring next season.

 

[arik]

there is a sign for the entrance to Test Pilot half way down kidderbrook on skiers right, the sign is large but a bit tucked behind some trees so not too visible from the trail unless you are looking and skiing slow. It was open when I was there in January but I did not ski it as I was sking with a friend who isn't comfortable with trees.