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(CNN) — A popular Vermont ski resort originally known as Suicide Six has announced it will change its “insensitive” name in the coming weeks.
“Our resort team embraces the growing awareness of mental health and shares growing concerns about the insensitive nature of the historic name. The sentiments evoked by the word ‘suicide’ could have a significant impact on many in our community,” the note read. .
The post continued: “It is vital that the name better represents and celebrates what makes it a much loved and vibrant part of this community. While some may find the change difficult, we stand by our belief that this evolution is warranted for a iconic treasure and, most importantly, necessary to continue its rich history of inclusion and accessibility.”
The ski and snowboard resort is located in the Vermont town of Pomfret, about 50 miles south of the state capital of Montpelier.
This area north of Woodstock, Vermont, is considered the first major ski resort in the United States. Wallace “Bunny” Bertram, an honorary member of the US Skiing Hall of Fame, installed a primitive rope drag system on the mountain, an innovation credited by many as the first ski lift.
Bertram, who died in 1981, called the area ‘Suicide Six’, which he thought was more catchy than the existing name ‘Hill 6’.
The resort is also a member of Ski Vermont’s Fairness, Equity and Diversity initiative. Forty-eight of the state’s ski resorts signed an open letter in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
Ski and outdoor destinations across North America have been rethinking their names in recent years.
“While we love our local history and the memories, we all associate ourselves with this place as it has been called for so long, we are faced with overwhelming evidence that the term ‘squaw’ is considered offensive,” said Ron Cohen, the president of the resort. and COO, said at the time, adding that property owners had worked with the local Washoe tribe on the name change project.
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