The Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo training program isn’t coming to Vermont. The Woodstock Inn and Resort blindsided the residents of South Pomfret, Vermont, when it disclosed a proposal that allowed its popular 189-acre ski area called Suicide Six to be used during the summer as an off-road driving school for owners of new Ford Broncos. Angry residents spoke out against the idea during a heated public meeting after which Adventure ORX, operator of the Off-Rodeo, was immediately advised to withdraw its state and local permit applications.
Residents of South Pomfret felt like the plan sprung up suddenly and that they weren’t given a fair warning. The bombshell had come less than two weeks before the hearing, so locals were baffled as to why they had not been informed about this sooner.
Additionally, residents were concerned about the potential influx of Ford Broncos and other off-roaders on the community’s network of Class 4 roads near Suicide Six. Class 4 roads are described as “passable but not maintained” roads enjoyed by hikers, horse riders, and mountain bikers. Resident’s feared turning this space into an off-road hub would lead to on- and off-road traffic congestion, resulting in safety issues. The Woodstock Inn and Resort had hoped to generate revenue during the offseason months of May to October by leasing the Suicide Six ski area to Dearborn, Michigan-based Adventure ORX, the company contracting with Ford to run the program.
The basic concept of the Bronco Off-Roadeo program is nothing new For example, Land Rover has offered a program at the Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in Manchester, Vermont.
The scope of the two-day program was to consist of a 2.0-mile driving loop on varied terrain scattered about Suicide Six. Class 4 roads were seemingly also due to be included. Meanwhile, the ski area’s parking lot was to be used to house a couple of dozen Broncos, as well as serve as a cleaning and washing area to freshen up the vehicles between classes.
The slopes of Vermont’s Suicide Six ski property would have been the fourth Bronco Off-Roadeo location, joining planned events in Austin, Texas; Moab, Utah; and Nevada. Registration for the Bronco Off-Roadeo opens April 27, 2021, and is available for original owners of 2021 Bronco, 2021 Bronco Sport Badlands, and 2021 Bronco Sport First Editions.
