Sundance Resort is more than just a ski vacation; it is a cultural and artistic experience that will bring you closer to nature. Sundance's founder, actor/director Robert Redford, has said the resort was always more about preservation than it was about development. And it shows. The resort is unobtrusive, blending in with its natural surroundings five miles up a winding canyon at the base of the 12,000-foot Mt. Timpanogos, the tallest peak of the Wasatch Range. A river literally runs through it, and trails between buildings and rustic mountain cottages wind through the trees, almost hidden by the natural environment. It's quiet, peaceful, and has an arts-focused and environment-friendly philosophy that makes a ski vacation at Sundance border on being an inspiring tranquility retreat. Some highlights: yoga, a Native American inspired spa, resident artists, a screening room for Sundance Films, a gallery with rotating exhibits, a nature center and an "Art Shack" that offers classes in painting, drawing pottery and jewelry making.
Sundance has terrain for every skill level, and all its runs are served with only three lifts and one tow. Ray's Lift serves the beginner and intermediate trails on the lower peak. Expert terrain is accessible via the upper two chairs, and for summit bowls, ride Arrowhead lift. The resorts most challenging terrain is in the Far East, with plenty of powder shots within the trees. Bishop's Cat Track is a steep moguled run that leads to steep and narrow Drop Out run. Bear Claw is a popular trail for intermediate skiers. For skilled beginners, head to Maverick, off the summit of Ray's Lift. Although Sundance doesn't have a terrain park, snowboarders will enjoy the natural halfpipe called Pipeline, which is an expert trail that begins at the end of Bishop's Bowl.
4 lifts.
$$ (Moderately Priced)48 runs - 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 40% expert. Longest run is 13,200 feet.
24 km of Cross Country trails.
Mountain Statistics: 2,150 feet vertical drop, 8,250 feet summit elevation, 450 acres, average annual accumulation 500 inches.