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MANCHESTER VILLAGE, VT, April 21, 2008 – Land Rover North America and Equinox, The Vermont Resort, today announced the opening of an all-new driving school offered exclusively at Equinox.
The Land Rover Experience Driving School will be part of the resort’s unique outdoor amenity offerings and will be open year round to guests and daytime visitors of the 195-room luxury hotel property.
The off-road driving school at Equinox features off-pavement driving instruction in the spring, summer and fall as well as snow and ice driving techniques during the winter. Using the latest Land Rover line-up, including the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover LR3 and Land Rover LR2 vehicles, participants will learn to properly navigate ascents, descents, side-tilts and rocky terrain on the 80-acre purpose-built course. The degree of difficulty ranges from introductory courses to more advanced off-road training sessions on an extensive trail system that runs through the stunning Green Mountains.
There is also a Junior Off-Road School where children ages five-12 years old can get behind the wheel of an electrically driven miniature Land Rover and maneuver their way through a customized jungle skills course. Junior Off-Road teaches children hand-eye coordination as they learn off-road driving techniques similar to the skills taught to the adults. All vehicles have limited speeds and include instant shut-off to insure safety.
“The old-world elegance and modern luxury of the Equinox resort make it a perfect destination for Land Rover’s newest driving school,” said Chris Marchand, executive vice president, marketing and sales, Land Rover North America. “We are excited to offer Equinox guests an unparalleled experience in world-class driving instruction against the unique backdrop of one of New England’s most spectacular resorts.”
“The Land Rover Experience Driving School is one of a kind and we are delighted to offer this experience at our newly refurbished resort,” said Equinox General Manager Robert Morgan. “Offering Land Rover’s incredible Driving School in conjunction with our falconry, archery and fly-fishing programs, will firmly establish Equinox as the ultimate destination for luxury travelers seeking a bit of adventure.”
The fourth, and newest Land Rover Experience Driving School in North America, will join already-established programs at: the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina; Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California; and the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, near Montreal, Canada. The collection of Land Rover operated schools offers guests’ one-of-a-kind instruction that explains and demonstrates the benefits of owning and using a Land Rover.
Individual and group courses range from a one-hour session designed to introduce the concept of off-road driving techniques in a fun environment, to half-day and full-day programs with professional instruction by a cadre of the most knowledgeable and experienced off-road Land Rover-trained driving instructors. Programs are customized to fit the skill level and interests of the individual guests.
Equinox, The Vermont Resort, is a registered historic landmark and the second longest-continuously operating hotel in the United States, and has been a favorite resort destination for over 200 years. In the spirit of continuing this legacy, HEI Hotels & Resorts commenced a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the resort which will culminate in the summer of 2008. Located on nearly 1,300 acres between the Green and Taconic Mountains, the property includes the historic Equinox Hotel, the 1769 Marsh Tavern, 1811 House and the Charles Orvis Inn. Named a AAA Four Diamond hotel for 14 consecutive years, the resort features a 13,000-square-foot spa, 12,000 acre Equinox Preservation area, several food and beverage outlets, tennis courts and the Golf Club at Equinox, one of the top 50 golf courses in the United States.
To book a Land Rover Experience at Equinox, The Vermont Resort, call (802) 362-0687. Lines will be open every day from 9 – 5 p.m. EST come rain or shine.
To learn more about the Equinox, The Vermont Resort, visit www.equinoxresort.com, or call (877) 245-0656.
To learn more about the Land Rover Experience Driving Schools, visit www.landroverusa.com/drivingschools, or call (800) 239-0533.
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Land Rover North America
Land Rover North America is part of Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover established operations in the U.S. in 1986, and now imports and distributes Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2 vehicles manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull and Halewood, England. Land Rover’s worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. For information about the Land Rover retailer nearest you, call 800-FIND-4WD or log on to www.LandRoverusa.com.
Vehicle specifications and features are subject to change. For the latest Land Rover pricing and product information, contact Land Rover North America Product Communications at (949) 341-5800. Land Rover-related press releases and electronic photos of the company’s products are available on-line in the Land Rover section of Ford Motor Company’s news media website (media.landrover.com).
About Equinox, The Vermont Resort
Located in Manchester Village, Vermont, Equinox is the second longest running resort in the United States having first opened in 1769. The 195-room resort is a luxurious year-round destination with a variety of activities and amenities for all seasons located within a four-hour drive of New York and Boston, and nestled on 1,300 acres of pristine countryside. The resort boasts five elegant restaurants, an 18-hole championship golf course, and an array of unique diversions including archery, mountain biking, fishing, the British School of Falconry and Land Rover off-road driving. Amenities at Equinox also include a 13,000 square-foot Spa. An ideal location for elegant weddings and intimate group meetings, the Equinox’s full service meeting and event facilities can easily accommodate 20 - 300 people.
In the spirit of continuing the resort’s legacy, New England-based HEI Hotels & Resorts acquired the hotel in 2007 and commenced a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the resort led by renowned designer Geoffrey Bradfield and acquired the 1811 House, an historic country inn located directly across from the resort. Renovations of Equinox will be completed in summer of 2008 and will include a new restaurant, bar, grand lobby and two-tiered outdoor decking with fire pits.
Equinox has received AAA Four Diamond accreditation for 14 consecutive years, was listed as the “#1 Resort in the Northeast” by Departures, and as one of the “500 Greatest Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure. For more information please visit www.equinoxresort.com or call 1-800-362-4747.
